Graduate Japan Practice in Tax - ACA London Autumn 2025

Job description

As a growing number of companies operate in global markets, the demand for tax professionals with an international outlook has increased. KPMG's global network of member firms is at the forefront of meeting this need. KPMG’s specialist Japan Practice in Tax focuses on assisting our UK firm's Japanese clients on the issues that could affect their European operations.

Combining hands-on client work and professional study, our Japan Practice in Tax programme is designed for ambitious graduates. As well as enjoying access to the same high-quality training and opportunities as our other Tax graduates, you'll gain valuable international experience working with a number of our firm's Japanese clients that have a major European presence.

Based in London, you'll be involved in a broad range of activity, including assisting in the day-to-day running of the Japan Practice client portfolio, operating a compliance programme involving personal tax returns and tax advice services for international assignees, and liaising with other departments and offices in KPMG's global network.

On this programme you'll study for the ACA qualification, providing you with structured learning through a blend of innovative online, and in-person study. You’ll develop valuable technical skills and have the support of our learning community, helping you to fulfil your career potential.

To join this programme, it’s essential that you have Japanese language skills and an appreciation of Japanese corporate culture.

Our firm’s hybrid working model balances the flexibility of working from home with the importance of collaborating and learning in offices or at client sites. We trust our people to be where our clients need them to be, with our client-facing colleagues working together in person as often as needed. You’ll be empowered by the technology that supports us to work flexibly across our collaborative office space, building friendships and shared experiences, innovating and learning together.

Join us and be empowered to help create opportunity in a world of increasing complexity, whilst building the career you want.

Capability:

Tax & Law

Programme Length:

3 years

Qualifications:

ACA or CA equivalent (Scotland locations)

Entry Requirements:

At KPMG, everyone brings a unique perspective, and we want to ensure that you have the best opportunity to demonstrate your potential. We want to discover your individual strengths and attributes to help us to know whether you’ll enjoy working here and how you’ll thrive. That’s why we operate an open access policy and an application process that will assess both your qualifications and your qualities.

Generally, you’ll be expected to demonstrate the following grades (*or equivalents), to show that you’re able to successfully study for professional qualifications. If you are a few grades or points short, we would still encourage you to apply, as your application will be reviewed together with your performance in our assessments. You‘ll also have the opportunity to provide additional information for us to assess your application and potential in the context of your socio-economic background and/or any extenuating circumstances, which may have a positive uplift on your academic achievements through contextual recruitment. You can find out more here.

• Japanese language ability (JLPT Level N1*)
• GCSE Maths Grade 5 or B*
• GCSE English Language Grade 5 or B*
• 120 UCAS points* from your ‘top’ 3 A Level grades, excluding General Studies
• 2:1 undergraduate degree in any discipline.

Key Skills:

Throughout the recruitment process we will be looking to learn more about your strengths.

To be successful on this programme, you will be required to demonstrate the strengths that we look for in our graduates at KPMG.

Learn more about what we look for and how to apply here.

Please note, if you are successful in securing a place at our Launch Pad you will also be assessed on your Japanese language ability.

Training and Development:

The training and development of our people is critical to the future success of our business. We want to empower you to grow in your own way, to feed your curiosity and embrace a growth mindset in an environment where learning is continuous. We have therefore created a rich curriculum and learning community to help you build your skills and fulfil your potential. This ranges from an immersive five-day induction experience to help you transition to the world of work through to formal training courses, leadership knowledge bites, learning journals, online courses and networking events – all aligned to our ‘learn for a lifetime’ strategy designed to help you gain an advantage for life.

In addition, in Japan Practice in Tax, we offer the ACA Accelerated Programme. This is front-loaded, uses innovative technology and is delivered via a blend of online and in-centre classroom courses. The ACA Accelerated Programme enables you to upskill quickly, so you can make your mark. For the first year of your training contract, you will focus purely on your professional qualification, by completing 12 out of 15 ACA exams. You will also have opportunities to reconnect with your home department and peer group, as well as complete internal training and extra skills sessions. The entire programme is supported in a wide range of ways by your tuition provider (BPP) and KPMG’s dedicated Early Careers Development team.

If you join a Scottish office, you will complete either the ACA or equivalent CA qualification (we will confirm closer to your join date). The CA qualification enables you to sit the majority of the ICAS exams in your first year, provides you with innovative technology to support your learning experience and also enables you to upskill quickly. The entire programme is supported in a wide range of ways by ICAS and KPMG’s dedicated Early Careers Development team.

In line with our hybrid model, you will be required to travel to our training partners offices, it is important that you read our guide on How to get the best out of our hybrid model. 

For both programmes, in the remaining two years of your training contract, you will concentrate on building up a fantastic range of work experience, complete your exams and will have the technical knowledge to apply to your role in the workplace. These programmes have been structured with you in mind and truly empower you to accelerate your learning journey at KPMG.

Additional Information:

Please visit our Applying to KPMG page to discover more about our application process.

Visit our International Students page to find out more about visas and requirements.

For anything else, please refer to our FAQ section.