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From retail floors to functional flows, Marcus’s journey at Innovate Tax has been anything but typical. He’s transitioned from trainee to fully-fledged Functional Consultant, bringing with him a love for logic, a knack for problem-solving, and a new-found appreciation for tax.
Let’s meet Marcus and discover how a physics graduate ended up making waves in the world of tax technology.
Q: Marcus, how did your Innovate Tax journey begin?
A: I actually came from a completely different background – five years in retail and a degree in Physics and Astrophysics from Birmingham. I was looking for something more tech-based, and there wasn’t a vacancy at Innovate Tax at the time, but they essentially created the role for me after some conversations with the functional team. I started as a trainee, moved up to associate, and was later promoted to Functional Consultant.
Q: What does your day-to-day look like as a Functional Consultant?
A: It’s a lot of configuring tax solutions post-agreement. I work directly with clients, gathering requirements, designing and implementing solutions, assisting with testing, and making sure everything’s up and running in production. And of course, I’m part of the support desk, so I stay involved even after go-live to help fix issues as they crop up.
A big part of my work involves the US market. I’m responsible for the monthly US rates file that powers our inFlyte(TM) US solution – from reviewing rate changes to running the import process and sending it out to clients. It’s end-to-end, and making sure that gets done accurately and on time is something I take real pride in.
Q: Which platforms do you work with? Any favourites?
A: Primarily Oracle Cloud, that’s where the majority of my experience and expertise lies. I’ve also worked with Oracle R12 and am currently on the path towards certification with Vertex and Avalara, plus starting to dabble in Alteryx. I like how intuitive Cloud is. If something goes wrong, I enjoy the challenge of diagnosing and fixing it. The whole interface just makes sense to me.
Q: Did you ever imagine you’d end up working in tax tech?
A: Absolutely not! Tech maybe but tax? Never crossed my mind. And now I’m out here saying things like “US tax is actually quite interesting.” It’s mad, really. But the way we deliver tax solutions is genuinely fascinating. Every client is different, and the complexity of the systems makes it really engaging.
Q: What’s your favourite part of the job?
A: Honestly, it just suits how my brain works. The logical, flowchart-y nature of tax rules – if you can figure out what input determines a result, you can map it out and create the rules. I enjoy solving those puzzles and building something that makes life easier for the client. And building those client relationships along the way is a bonus.
Q: You’re on the support desk too – how’s that side of things?
A: It definitely keeps things interesting! I like the variety. You never know what’s going to land in your inbox. It keeps me on my toes. Support is about problem-solving under pressure, figuring out what’s broken, why, and fixing it fast because production’s on the line. It’s different from projects, but equally rewarding.
Q: Any standout projects so far?
A: My first go-live project, it was a great experience and I really clicked with the client. But more recently, I worked on a super-speedy implementation in the US – two weeks from kickoff to production. That might be one of the fastest Innovate has done! It was intense, but really satisfying to pull off. I also enjoy US projects in general. They’re complex, with all the different jurisdictions and exemptions. It’s like a giant, tax-shaped jigsaw puzzle.
Q: What’s it like working in the Welsh office?
A: It’s a great setup. There’s a smaller team vibe compared with our UK headquarters in Bognor Regis, which helps me focus. Having Kyron around, someone who made the leap from commercial to functional, has been really valuable. He’s been super supportive as I’ve found my feet. I’ve been to Bognor a few times, and while it’s fun, I prefer the quieter pace here.
Q: And finally – what’s next for you?
A: Right now, I’m continuing to learn more platforms like Vertex, Avalara, and Alteryx. I’ve also just become a mentor to another team member, which is a completely new experience for me. Longer-term, I’d love to keep progressing in the role, maybe even become a Senior Consultant one day. For now, I’m enjoying learning and growing. It’s a good place to be.
Marcus brings a logical mind, a curious nature, and a real passion for helping people into everything he does. Whether he’s solving issues on the support desk or turning around a US implementation in record time, he proves that tax tech doesn’t have to be dull – it can be practical, people-focused, and even a little bit fun.
At Innovate Tax, it’s people like Marcus who remind us that it’s not just about delivering solutions – it’s about the way we do it, and who we do it with.
