Our candidates as tax advisors, tax consultants or tax experts support and advise both private individuals and companies in tax law matters as well as in business and property law issues and also represent them before tax authorities and courts. They prepare tax returns for the submission of income tax or VAT, balance sheets and annual financial statements. Consulting services on tax savings, company formation/restructuring or inheritance matters/succession planning (private clients, private wealth) are part of their daily work.

Tax advisors play a crucial role in providing financial clarity and minimizing tax burdens for individuals and businesses. Their expertise and ability to interpret complex tax regulations make them indispensable partners for sound financial planning.

The profession of tax consultant is regulated by law and requires special qualifications. To become a tax consultant, candidates undergo specific training, gain practical experience and pass a tax consultant examination. Upon successful completion, they are appointed as tax consultants by the Chamber of Tax Consultants.

We place tax consultants as partners (self-employed) or as associates, managers, consultants in law firms and auditing companies. We also place tax consultants or tax experts in large companies or an association (in-house tax consultant, head of tax, head of tax).

Keyfacts Steuerberater

What are the tasks of a tax consultant?

Tax advisors are key figures in the field of financial planning, helping businesses and individuals to understand and meet their tax obligations. They play a crucial role in maximizing tax benefits, avoiding problems with tax authorities and generally optimizing their clients' financial situation/tax optimization.

The tasks of tax advisors at a glance

Advice and tax planning

A central aspect of the work of tax advisors is individual advice. They help their clients to minimize their tax burden by developing legal tax structures and plans. They provide information on tax benefits, incentives and rebates. The advice can cover various aspects, from tax optimization of business structures to personal financial planning.

Tax returns and compliance

Tax advisors prepare tax returns and submit them to the tax authorities on behalf of their clients. They ensure that all relevant information is properly recorded and that taxpayers benefit from the applicable tax regulations. They also help to avoid potential errors that could lead to consequences under tax law.

Accounting and annual financial statements

Tax consultants support companies with accounting: they prepare tax returns, draw up balance sheets and other profit calculations and prepare annual financial statements to ensure that financial records comply with tax requirements. They also support companies during tax audits.

Communication with tax authorities

Tax advisors act as intermediaries between their clients and the tax authorities. In the event of audits or other matters, they communicate with the tax authorities to clear up ambiguities and ensure that their clients' interests are protected.

Management consultancy

In addition to tax aspects, tax consultants also offer comprehensive advice to companies on all tax issues relating to business life (corporate and group tax law). For example, they can provide support with company formation, financing, structuring and growth. They also provide important M&A advice on transactions, i.e. the sale or purchase of a company or a stake in a company.

Support for cross-border activities

Branches or subsidiaries abroad, customs duties, value added tax (indirect taxes) or employee secondments - companies with international operations come into contact with international tax law time and again. Here too, tax consultants provide support. The specialist knowledge of tax advisors is also required when it comes to transfer prices to ensure that the calculation and pricing of these so-called inter-company transactions stand up to scrutiny by the tax authorities.

Update on tax changes

Inheritance tax law, investment tax law, criminal tax law/procedural law - regardless of the area in question, tax laws change on a regular basis, meaning that tax advisors must always keep up to date with the latest information in order to inform their clients about relevant changes to the law and adapt their advice accordingly.

We understand the different skills that a tax consultant or tax expert needs.

What skills does a tax consultant need?

The tasks of tax consultants are varied and demanding. They therefore require a broad and varied range of skills in order to meet the increasing demands in the areas of tax advice, tax returns and tax optimization.

Overview of the necessary skills of tax advisors

Specialist knowledge and legal expertise

A comprehensive understanding of tax laws is essential. Successful tax advisors should not only know the current provisions, but also be able to interpret complex legal regulations and apply them to the individual situation of their clients.

Affinity for numbers and analytical skills

Tax experts should have a certain affinity for numbers, as they must be able to analyze complex financial information and draw sound conclusions from it. The ability to recognize patterns and derive strategic recommendations is crucial.

Customer orientation

Good tax advisors should not only focus on tax aspects, but also understand the individual needs of their clients. The ability to offer tailor-made solutions and respond to specific requirements is an important aspect of client orientation.

Communication skills

Communicating with clients, tax authorities and other professionals requires a high level of communication skills. Tax consultants must be able to explain complex tax matters in an understandable way and advise their clients effectively.

Organizational skills

As tax consultants often work for several clients at the same time, strong organizational skills and good time management are essential. Structuring workflows, meeting deadlines and managing documents efficiently are crucial for success in this professional field.

Ability to work in a team

In many cases, tax consultants work in teams, whether in a tax consultancy firm or in close cooperation with lawyers and other specialists. The ability to work in a team and a willingness to cooperate are therefore of great importance.

Sense of responsibility and integrity

Tax advisors have access to their clients' sensitive financial information. A high degree of responsibility and integrity is therefore required to maintain the trustworthiness of the profession.

Readiness for further training

Tax laws and regulations are constantly changing. Successful tax advisors therefore always keep up to date with the latest tax developments and regularly attend training courses to update their knowledge.

How do you become a tax consultant?

There is no training to become a tax consultant in the traditional sense. Preparation for the tax consultant exam takes place with the help of courses in which all the knowledge required for the tax consultant exam is taught in order to ultimately be appointed as a tax consultant by one of the chambers of tax consultants after passing the tax consultant exam.

There are two classic routes for admission to the exam: either by completing an apprenticeship as a tax clerk or by completing a degree in economics or law. Both routes also require several years of practical experience. This can be gained through internships or employment in tax consulting firms, auditing companies or in the finance and legal departments of companies. Practical experience enables prospective tax consultants to apply their theoretical knowledge in the real world.

After admission and successful completion of the tax consultant examination, prospective tax consultants often have to fulfill certain admission requirements. This may include membership in a chamber of tax advisors or a comparable organization. Membership in such organizations ensures that tax consultants follow ethical guidelines and keep their knowledge up to date.

Tax advisors have secure opportunities for advancement. They usually climb the career ladder via the following positions:

Junior Tax Consultant
Tax Consultant
Senior Tax Consultant
Tax Manager
Senior Tax Manager
Partner in a tax consultancy firm

How much does a tax consultant earn?

Training to become a tax consultant takes years and the final exam demands a lot from the candidates. And yet the path is worthwhile: the profession of tax consultant is future-proof and lucrative. The salary is already impressive when you start your career, and the sky is the limit.

According to the Federal Employment Agency's Remuneration Atlas 2023, tax consultants in Germany earn an average of 6,688 euros per month, or around 80,260 euros gross per year. In addition to the basic salary, tax consultants can benefit from additional benefits such as bonuses, commissions or additional company benefits - depending on the employer and individual agreement.

However, salaries vary greatly between self-employed and employed tax advisors, as well as between tax advisors in small tax firms and employed tax advisors at the "Big Four" firms (PwC, EY, KPMG and Deloitte). We will be happy to provide you with a suitable overview and opportunities or salary structure in tax advisory professions as part of a joint project.

Experience, specialization and location also play a not insignificant role in determining salary. With increasing professional experience and a possible specialization in certain areas such as international tax law or corporate taxation, the salary often increases significantly. Tax consultants with several years of experience can achieve annual salaries of 100,000 euros and more or even over 1,000,000 euros. Tax consultants generally earn the most in the economically strong cities of Frankfurt am Main, Düsseldorf, Munich, Stuttgart, Hamburg, Berlin and Cologne.

Note: The salary figures given here are for guidance only. As in many other sectors, it is difficult to make general statements about individual salaries in tax consultancy.

What is a tax consultant?