If you've ever considered a career in UK R&D tax relief, you may have asked yourself: “Do I need a technical or scientific background to get into this field?” It’s a common question - and a valid one.
The short answer? Not necessarily. But having a technical background can shape the nature of your role and your career trajectory in the R&D tax industry.
Let’s break it down.
What Is R&D Tax – and Who Works in It?
UK R&D tax relief is designed to incentivise companies to innovate by offering tax savings for eligible research and development activities. Claiming these incentives typically involves two key components:
- Understanding the technical project(s) to identify eligible R&D activity
- Quantifying the related expenditure for submission to HMRC
Because of this split, teams can consist of two broad skill sets:
- Technical specialists – often with backgrounds in science, engineering, or software
- Tax/accountancy professionals – with knowledge of HMRC legislation and financial data
Some professionals bridge both worlds, and that seems to be increasingly considered the norm.
You Don’t Need a Technical Background to Start
Many successful R&D tax professionals have backgrounds in tax, accounting, law or consulting. These backgrounds easily transition to R&D tax, as most R&D tax advisory firms focus heavily on claim preparation, legislation interpretation, and client-facing tax planning, rather than deep technical work.
If you're a great communicator who is comfortable with financial documentation and willing to learn about technical projects, then there is a place for you in the R&D tax world.
But Here’s When a Technical Background Does Help
For roles that involve writing technical narratives, assessing project eligibility, or liaising with client engineering teams, a background in software development, mechanical or electrical engineering, life sciences or manufacturing technology is a huge advantage. These roles often attract people who:
- Want to step out of hands-on lab or development work
- Enjoy client interaction and consulting
- Prefer writing and analysis over R&D execution
Example:
An ex-software developer might join an R&D consultancy and focus on identifying qualifying projects and preparing technical justifications for HMRC - no tax knowledge required at first.
Hybrid Skill Sets Are in Demand
Today, many employers are looking for well-rounded R&D tax professionals who:
- Understand enough technical detail to identify eligible activity
- Can clearly explain it in writing for compliance
- Have the commercial awareness to manage client relationships and identify opportunities
If you can balance those elements, whether you started in tax or in tech, you’ll be a valuable asset.
How to Break Into R&D Tax Without a Technical Degree
If you come from a tax, law, or general consulting background, here’s how to pivot:
- Learn the legislation: Understand HMRC’s definition of R&D (especially BEIS guidelines)
- Get familiar with technical industries: Read case studies in software, pharma, or engineering
- Develop your writing skills: Practice summarising complex technical concepts
- Consider training or certifications in R&D tax or innovation incentives
You don’t need a STEM degree, you need curiosity, communication skills and the willingness to learn.
Final Thoughts
So, do you need a technical background to succeed in R&D tax?
No — but it can influence the type of work you do, and the value you bring.
The R&D tax sector is full of professionals with diverse skill sets. Whether you’re a tax advisor learning tech lingo or a former engineer transitioning to consulting, there’s a role for you and the industry needs both sides to function well.
At Leonid, we match R&D tax professionals to the right R&D roles across the UK. If you’re looking for your next team member or are contemplating a move, we are here to help. Please contact Ben Worsley for a friendly chat.
