Assistant Tax Advisor Review

As an assistant tax advisor, every day is different. I work on around ten projects at one time, spending a few hours on each during a week, although this varies depending on the stage of the project life cycle. I am treated as a valued member of the team and as if I joined as an experienced higher - there is no distinction between the tasks I do and those who have joined at my level yet not from school.

There is a real mix of training opportunities available to you as a school leaver. We enjoy time spent at college, regional offices on internal training and lunch and learns within the team. It is incredibly motivating having these opportunities to learn, as well taking a break from the day to day work!

Although I had some insight into working with EY based upon my work experience on EY Smart Futures, I was still intruiged to find out what it would be like being a full time employee. The programme has exceeded my expectations and I have recommended the programme to everyone I know considering an alternative to university. Even my friends at University are asking how they can work at EY!

I feel incredibly valued by EY; they really do take the time to understand and rectify any issues you may be having and there is a developed mind-set based upon sharing feedback. EY as a whole values our opinions through the EY People Survey and at an individual level there is always time to sit down with your counsellor to discuss career progression.

The programme is very well organised with there being dedicated teams there to organise your college, training and exam dates. This really helps to ease the pressure when first joining. The structure of your work and training is partly bespoke to your immediate team so it helps to be independent too.

Tutors are very experienced and have many years behind of them teaching the different syllabuses. Teams are very supportive in terms of granting study leave and extra leave when required.

There are opportunities at EY to get support wherever you require it. For example, everybody is assigned a counsellor when they join, whether as a school leaver or a partner, who helps you to achieve the career progression you desire. There are also opportunities to get assigned a mentor, if wanted, outside of your day-to-day team who can help provide unbiased support on confidential matters.

The extent to which the salary meets your costs truly depends on your personal circumstances. The salary does cover travel from outside of London as well as social costs but is not always enough to support living costs.

The opportunities outside of work are endless - if there is something that you want to do which isn't already out there then start something! I have been involved in the EY Softball team, schools recruitment events, mentoring and am even on the Social Committee! It really isn't all work, work, work.

Yes

I have recommended EY to students at my old Sixth Form and am pleased that so many of them have been successfully recruited! EY really does stand out as the "People firm" of the Big Four. They truly are dedicated to helping us develop as individuals.

I would advise anyone thinking of applying to EY to sign up for a number of our pre-joining events, such as the EY Insight days, EY Business Academy or the EY Foundation Smart Futures. This will give you first hand experience of what it is like to work for EY. Even if you decide that working in Professional Services is not right for you then the experience would have been worthwhile.