Assistant tax advisor Review

I'm an assistant tax advisor currently working in the Transaction Tax sub service line at EY. My role involves supporting transactions such as acquisitions, disposals, mergers, restructuring mainly producing work products such as due diligence and structuring reports portraying tax aspects of the Transaction. I will help draft the report and discuss key tax considerations with my managers. The process will include a number of conference calls with targets and clients. I also am responsible for tracking costs on all the projects I work on.

Yes I have learnt that communication is key: i.e. clarity on expectations for the finished work product and timing. I've also learnt that punctuality and organisation will get you a long way.

I think the schedule for college time and exams has improved but still needs further work. The structure of college and exams should take into consideration which sub-service line you work in and their needs and your needs too. Although I have noticed significant improvements and a better support network in the latter years.

Value awards used to be given out often and appreciation comments and "thank you's" used to be dished out more often too. I'm not sure if it's because I've been here a while now (nearly 4 years), or whether the fact I am in and out of college and the workplace at the minute I sometimes struggle to complete a project from start to finish before I have to leave for college again.

In my intake, during our second year we had a 9 month break from college and exams which was fantastic for longevity on projects I was working on and exposure to client accounts and interesting deals in my team. On the other hand I struggled to go back to the "in and out" of college schedule resumed after the 9 month break. I think this has been sorted now and I don't think this 9 month break exists any longer.

Kaplan are great. The tutors are always willing to provide their email and number for further questions out of classroom hours. They are also willing to stay behind to explain points one-to-one after class.

The exam team has improved significantly in the latter years. We have a designated team just for young people studying the ICAEW at EY. If you have any issues, concerns or mitigating circumstances they are just a phone-call away and offer valuable advice and solutions.

I still haven't moved out and probably won't be able to for another 2 years. Obviously the property market is tough to enter into at the minute also. I am hoping this situation will improve once I qualify (which is only a year away now). You do have enough money to enjoy London - e.g. drinks after work, lunches and dinners out. Eating lunch in London every day can be expensive when you total up , so I try to bring in my own lunch and buy from Tesco most of the time instead of Pret for example. I also make use of the EY travel loan which makes a huge difference to my travel costs.

There are some great opportunities to network at school leaver events which are held at colleges, exhibition centres and sometimes in the EY buildings too.

Yes

EY has a fantastic people culture and a very friendly working atmosphere. People here are a pleasure to work with and interact with. EY also has a great flexible working initiative which can work around you.

Be yourself and don't hold back. EY love diversity and are keen to recruit a rainbow of different people to add to our pallet. Don't be nervous as everyone wants you to enjoy your experience regardless of whether you get the position you were after or not - you will gain something out of it anyway!