What Is a Tax Consultant? Duties, Skills and Roles

By tax consultant, we mean a professional who assists in taxes matters—with all that this entails. From tax planning and compliance with evolving regulations to optimizing tax returns. In short, tax consultants analyze financial data and advise companies on long-term strategy and planning.

To answer the question “What is a tax consultant?”, we will consider their duties and responsibilities, analyzing the skills needed to operate internationally.what is a tax consultant​

Defining the Role of a Tax Consultant

The main role of a tax advisor is to provide advisory services on tax, financial, and regulatory matters. Advisors analyze a company’s financial situation and, based on current laws, suggest strategies to optimize its tax burden.

Unlike accountants, for example, their role is not to keep company accounts but to predict future scenarios by providing analytical and managerial advice for the long term. 

Tax consulting is therefore suited to various local and international contexts, with ideal clients being private individuals with complex financial situations and companies of all sizes.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

The tasks of tax advisors are divided into various operational areas, ranging from finance to taxation and accounting.

With regard to accounting, consultants return preparers assist in preparing tax returns and managing taxes, ensuring that everything is always transparent and compliant. They also represent their clients in audits when it is necessary to interact with the authorities.

From a financial perspective, their role is to provide support in investment decisions, income management—especially cross-border income to avoid double taxation—and the legal structuring of economic activities.

That said, consultants must stay up to date with ongoing legal developments to guarantee that the company is always in compliance.

Required Skills and Competencies

What makes a good tax advisor isn’t just knowing the rules — it’s knowing how to apply them with care and clarity. Sure, deep knowledge of tax codes, compliance standards, and international frameworks is essential, but just as essential are the quieter abilities. Reading between the lines of a balance sheet, handling sensitive data with discretion, and knowing how to explain a complex change in tax law without sounding like a textbook. A curious mind helps, as does a certain digital fluency — the kind that makes switching between tax platforms and databases feel second nature rather than a chore.

Types of Tax Consultants

There is no shortage of specializations in the world of tax consulting. Depending on your needs and the complexity of the tax framework, you can turn to professionals with very different expertise:

• Personal tax consultants: Their role is to help individual taxpayers with their tax returns and personal tax planning.
• Corporate tax consultants: They deal with corporate tax consulting, corporate structures, optimizing tax strategies, and monitoring company reporting.
• International tax consultants: These advisors handle issues related to cross-border income, such as double taxation and multi-level regulations.
• Niche advisors: These advisors are experts in particular areas such as VAT, real estate taxation, cryptocurrencies, art, or international inheritance.

Educational Path and Certifications

The path to becoming a tax advisor requires specific training in finance, accounting, or law. It usually starts with a bachelor’s degree to gain all the knowledge needed to practice the profession.

Tax professionals expand their knowledge with internationally recognized certifications. Some examples are CPA (Certified Public Accountant) and EA (Enrolled Agent), which are very common in the United States. In the UK, however, many consultants obtain the Chartered Tax Adviser (CTA) qualification to obtain high-level positions.

However, training is ongoing: a standard course of study and certifications are not enough; it is necessary to keep up with legislation and stay up to date on industry tax standards.

What Is a Business Tax Consultation?

So, having reached this point, what is a business tax consultation? A business tax consultation is a consulting session aimed at businesses, designed to identify effective tax strategies—such as understanding what is the corporate tax rate—to optimize the tax burden in compliance with current legislation.

It is essential in the early stages of setting up a company to identify the most appropriate legal form, and it is necessary for multinationals to manage transfer pricing or carry forward losses. Companies also rely on it during special operations such as mergers and acquisitions.

What Is a Tax Consultation?

Understanding what is a tax consultation begins with seeing it as more than a quick tax check on taxes owed. A tax consultation, at its core, is a focused conversation—often a sit-down—between a client and a tax expert to understand what’s owed, what can be optimized, and what needs to change. It usually starts with a thorough look at the client’s financial documents. From there, the advisor dives into the numbers, considers relevant laws, and provides suggestions relevant to the client’s situation. Tax consultations can be a one-time appointment, requested for specific events, or part of an ongoing consulting service.

When Should You Hire a Tax Consultant?

Hiring a tax advisor isn’t just for emergencies—it’s often a wise move. If your business is expanding, you’re dealing with foreign income, or inheritance laws start crossing borders, it’s time to bring in a specialist. The same applies when audits loom or tax filings become unusually complex. 

Acting early—well before year-end—can open options that disappear later. And when internal staff start asking more questions than they answer, it may be a sign: you don’t just need help, you need someone who speaks the language of taxfluently.

Industries and Clients Served

Tax advisors don’t serve just one type of client—they follow the money wherever it moves. Financial firms, tech companies, real estate developers, and e-commerce platforms all lean on custom advice. Then, there are the high-net-worth individuals, startup founders, and international entrepreneurs juggling multiple jurisdictions and compliance risks. Some consultants focus on corporate clients; others work one-on-one with individuals. In either case, the role is less about forms—and more about foresight.

Working With Global Tax Consultants

Working with a global tax advisor isn’t just about scaling the same advice across borders—it’s a shift in mindset. Issues like withholding taxes, cross-border structuring, controlled foreign corporation rules, or compliance across continents become easier to manage with the right partner. When a company thinks globally—whether through expansion, relocation, or M&A—it needs insight that reaches beyond local borders. That’s where international tax advisors make the real difference.

How Tax Consultants Charge for Services

How much a tax advisor charges often depends on how—and why—you’re working together. Some operate on an hourly basis, others prefer fixed fees tied to specific services, while longer-term clients might opt for a retainer model. 

The cost isn’t one-size-fits-all: location, scope, and the complexity of your situation all play a role. Need help with an audit? Looking for advanced tax planning across borders? These kinds of services typically come at a premium, but the proper guidance can often pay for itself in the long run.

FAQs

What is a tax consultant?

A fiscal advisor is a financial expert who helps clients navigate taxation laws, reduce liabilities, and comply with regulations.

What does a tax consultation include?

Tax consultation includes a financial review, an analysis of tax obligations, and recommendations for minimizing tax exposure.

Is a tax consultant the same as an accountant?

No, tax advisors specialize in fiscal law and planning, while accountants handle broader financial reporting and bookkeeping.

What is a business tax consultation?

It’s a session focused on helping businesses plan and optimize their corporate tax strategy.

When should I consult a tax expert?

Any time you face complex tax issues, life changes, international income, or business decisions with tax consequences.

Do tax consultants work globally?

Yes, many provide services across jurisdictions, especially for clients with international operations or income.

References

Indeed Editorial Team. (2025, maggio). What Is a Tax Consultant? (Plus Duties, Skills and Salary). Indeed Career Guide. https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/finding-a-job/what-is-tax-consultantindeed.com+1smartasset.com+1

The Accounting and Tax. (2024). What are the duties and responsibilities of a tax consultant? Accounting & Tax Insights. https://theaccountingandtax.com/duties-and-responsibilities-of-a-tax-consultant/ theaccountingandtax.com

Taxfyle. (2024). When Is the Best Time to Hire a Tax Consultant? Taxfyle Blog. https://www.taxfyle.com/blog/when-to-hire-a-tax-consultant assets.kpmg.com+1theaccountingandtax.com+1taxfyle.com