How tax recruitment shapes workforce strategy in European businesses

Across Europe, businesses are facing a fundamental shift in how they approach tax. Evolving regulations, cross-border complexity and increasing scrutiny from revenue authorities mean that having the right tax professionals in place is no longer just a compliance requirement it’s a strategic imperative.

Brewer Morris tax recruitment experts have become central to how businesses build resilience, manage risk and position themselves for growth. And for companies operating across multiple European markets, getting it right matters more than ever.

The changing role of tax in European business

Tax has moved firmly into the boardroom. Where it was once viewed as a back-office function, it’s now recognised as a driver of both risk management and commercial performance.

European businesses are contending with a complex and constantly shifting regulatory environment. The OECD’s Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (BEPS) framework, the EU’s Anti-Tax Avoidance Directives and the roll-out of Pillar Two global minimum tax rules have all changed what businesses need from their tax teams.

This means organisations are looking for professionals who can do far more than file returns. They need people who understand policy, communicate with stakeholders, manage transfer pricing and integrate tax strategy with wider business planning.

Why tax recruitment shapes workforce strategy

Workforce strategy is about more than headcount. It’s about ensuring you have the right skills in the right places at the right time. For European businesses, tax recruitment plays a direct role in shaping that strategy.

The demand for senior tax professionals particularly those with multi-jurisdictional experience has grown significantly. Businesses are competing for a relatively small talent pool, which means the companies that recruit well gain a genuine competitive advantage.

Tax teams that are built strategically can:

• Respond quickly to regulatory change
• Reduce the cost and risk of non-compliance
• Support M&A activity and cross-border transactions
• Contribute to financial planning and forecasting
• Build credibility with investors and regulators

Each of these outcomes depends on having tax professionals with the right combination of technical expertise and commercial awareness.

The importance of specialist knowledge in European markets

European tax is not a single discipline. Each market has its own legislative framework, reporting requirements and professional standards. A tax professional who excels in the UK may need significant support to navigate the nuances of the German or Dutch systems.

This is why businesses increasingly look for tax professionals with genuine regional expertise and why working with recruiters who understand those distinctions is so important. The ability to identify candidates who combine deep local knowledge with a broader European perspective is a real differentiator.

Industries such as financial services, technology, pharmaceuticals and energy are particularly active in this space, given their complex, multi-entity structures and the heightened regulatory attention they attract.

Permanent vs interim tax recruitment

Workforce strategy isn’t always about permanent hires. Many European businesses use interim tax professionals to manage specific projects, cover periods of change or bring in specialist skills for defined periods.

Interim tax recruitment has grown considerably in recent years, particularly around:

• Tax transformation and technology implementation projects
• Regulatory change programmes
• M&A transactions and post-deal integration
• Parental leave and long-term absence cover

A well-designed workforce strategy will typically include a mix of permanent and interim resource, giving businesses the flexibility to respond to change without compromising on expertise.

Building a tax team that supports long-term business goals

The most effective tax teams are those that are built with a clear understanding of where the business is heading, not just where it is today. That means thinking about:

• The regulatory landscape the business will face in the next three to five years
• The markets it plans to enter or expand into
• The skills gaps that exist within the current team
• The leadership capability needed to drive strategy

Working with a specialist recruiter who understands both the tax profession and the European business environment means you’re not just filling vacancies you’re building capability.

How Brewer Morris supports tax recruitment across Europe

Working with Brewer Morris tax recruitment experts means accessing a team that understands the European tax landscape at every level. From in-house tax counsel roles to Head of Tax positions, Brewer Morris has the networks and expertise to identify candidates who are the right fit technically, culturally and commercially.

With offices across the UK, continental Europe and beyond, Brewer Morris is well placed to support businesses that operate across multiple European markets and need a recruitment partner who can match that complexity.

If you’re thinking about how tax recruitment can support your workforce strategy, get in touch to find out how we can help.