Indirect Tax Analyst Review

I am an Indirect Tax Analyst focussed in VAT. I work as part of a team on a variety of clients providing VAT advisory work in a variety of different industries. I am based in the Liverpool office but am required to commute to Manchester on a regular basis. The team I am part of comprises of staff based in both the Liverpool and Manchester offices. My role gives me the opportunity to communicate directly with my clients.

As part of my apprenticeship I am studying toward an ACA and CTA (VAT specialist qualification). As part of my general role I have developed tax technical skills, business writing skills, presentation skills, project management skills and organisational skills. I have also had training in software relevant to my role such as excel.

I enjoy aspects of the job such as drafting client deliverables and various other pieces of technical work, however I do not enjoy billing aspects and administrative tasks on projects I am on which I understand can be a separate job role in different firms (e.g. some firms have a financial officer). Though I believe the perks (holidays) and pay is good for a role such as mine. Furthermore, the professional qualification aspect can be very challenging and I feel like the firm could provide more support and guidance.

There is a lot of confusion within the firm and other apprentices on my course as the dates of the exams and study leave etc. are not communicated effectively and often subject to change. We are however provided with college paid for and a limited number of set paid study leave days for each exam. The courses for ACA are quite intensive and completed over a shorter period to other apprenticeships. The requirements of our apprenticeship aside from exams have not been communicated to us at all meaning the understanding of our apprenticeship is limited.

Our employer has only recently started providing the apprenticeship and their understanding of the requirements is either limited or not communicated to us effectively. We do get paid study leave dates and college provided to us for our CTA/ACA exams though we are currently unaware if aside from the CTA/ACA there are other requirements as part of our apprenticeship and if so the level of support we will receive.

Our training provider provides us with a lot of learning materials such as the required ICAEW manual and study banks, their own online lessons, their own online videos explaining certain topics and their own study manual. Our learning provider also provides us with mock exams which are generally marked and returned to us in a reasonable amount of time. The staff are generally available and happy to answer questions outside of the course.

The ACA gives general accounting and business knowledge which is useful to apply in my room and gives us widely applicable skills. The CTA qualification gives me the technical knowledge specific to my role which is essential to pursuing a career in Indirect tax. Completing these exams alongside working does however create difficulties in completing client work, keeping up to date with projects and organisation etc.

Yes - we get invites to professional networking events in our city via CIOT and ICAEW - including balls, cocktail making classes etc. Deloitte holds an annual summer ball and Christmas party and has a yoga club and various societies such as a women in business group and an LGBT group. The office also has its own football team and netball team.

Yes

The firm involves you fully into client work and project teams straight away and you will immediately be asked to draft client deliverables key to the firm which can be rewarding. The starting salary and perks such as holiday (and extra holiday benefit) is good. The qualifications you gain are highly though of and sought after within the industry

Fully research the qualifications you will be sitting to understand what they are and the commitment it involves. Fully research the company before applying, spend a while on you application, practice the psychometric tests online before applying. Be engaged in your interview and make an impression, show what you know and the company and why you want to be part of it.