Assistant Tax Advisor Review

I am an assistant tax advisor at EY within their Innovation Incentives team. On a day to day basis, I actively engage with clients in relation to their R&D claims. I undertake tasks such as discuss the type of activities they undertake that may qualify under the R&D scheme. Discuss their claims and data available to them to help us with the claim. Chase clients for data. Assist them in understanding what we do and deal with any questions they may have. Internally, I have meting with the project team to ensure that the project is running smoothly and to discuss any areas that may have unexpectedly come up.

Exams - Currently doing the ACA qualification with the ICAEW and soon to start the CTA qualification in 2017. Internal training courses consist of knowledge base training to ensure that the team is up to date with the dynamic changes in tax. EY also offer the ACTD which is also tax training which allows you to learn about tax outside of your area. This is not exam focused but more work focused which is very useful as sometimes the two can be very different. EY offer a navigating your future course which is less technical training but more about understanding how to have the right conversations with your team and develop wider skills such as networking, the future of work, how to get the best out of social media etc. Skills I have learnt on the job consist of building client relationships, being able to talk to clients with confidence. In depth knowledge of how to analyse data sets and manipulate it in Microsoft Excel and Access.

I enjoy the programme very much. I am able to work within a team that always allows me and aids me in my career and skill development. I am always being given different opportunities and exposed to different things to ensure that I keep pushing myself. The scheme exceeded my expectations, from the outset I was never look at as a school leaver I was looked at as an employee and was given meaningful tasks such as client interaction. The culture here at EY is one that is very friendly, flexible working culture is very big as it allows me to work from home and other locations when required without disruption to myself and the project.

I do feel very valued at EY. My work that I am doing is meaningful and adds value to the project. Appreciation is massive, with values awards being offered for your work and appreciation emails, calls and face to face meetings from higher up individuals such as partners and team leaders. I receive real time feedback from the team which I really appreciate and really helps with development. We also talk to clients post project and keep a good relationship with them. My team have given me the opportunity to build my own set of client relationships which makes me feel valued.

I feel that it is well structured. Emails come out at the beginning of the year giving a timetable about exams and key dates. This allows us plenty of time to work out study leave with our teams in advance. We go to college with Kaplan for our exams and support is given to us should we be unsuccessful with any exams. Training is offered such as ACTD and Navigating your future.

Good support. We go to college and are able to communicate with our tutors outside of lesson time via email and send any questions we have over. The response is very quick. Our support is good, EY come in during study to see how we are getting on and to see if we have any questions.

Outside of exams, I am able to communicate freely with EY support for example I had questions in relation to the CTA programme and was called immediately to help. This was much appreciated as it allowed me to clarify any queries I had and make an informed decision. At EY we have a Buddy, Mentor and Counsellor. These are usually senior members of the team that can help with any questions you have, work related or not. All are very approachable and always willing to assist by sharing their experiences which I find very useful.

Salary allows me to meet my costs in relation to living. EY provide a rail package to the season ticket loan can be spread across the year. I have enough in my salary to allow me to enjoy socially and undertake my day to day task with no worries. However if I lived closer to central London than I currently do, this situation may change as rent increases.

There are opportunities to engage with peers outside work. An example of something we did currently was part take in a EY Mud Run for EY foundation charity. There are networks here at EY which I am part of which put on events and allows you to feel part of something and network. There are sports teams you can join. Within the programme you can offer to help go to careers fairs.

Yes

A world wide recognised company with a global client base. As soon as you join you instantly feel as if you are part of a successful team which value their employees. You are not seen as a school leaver doing mundane meaningless tasks but an active team member which is valued. The culture at EY is a very friendly culture which makes it easy for any new joiner to fit in.

I would advise that you just be yourself. EY has a culture where it is people focused and during the interview it is best to be yourself rather than a robot who has memorised canned lines and answers. During the application process try and express yourself and use the space provided. During the assessment day, get involved in discussions and be and active member of the group regardless of what ideas you may have. Know about the area you are applying for, you should keep up with current affairs and should be able to discuss them at a high level.