Transfer Pricing Associate Review

I work in transfer pricing. This involves the trade of goods or services between two related companies, and both can come out the winner. Transfer pricing improves business efficiency and simplifies the accounting process. I work on master files, local files and country by country reports. Also, I look at credit rating analysis and thin cap analysis.

I have developed my skills in teamwork, critical thinking, logical thinking and general soft skills (such as presenting). Alongside this, I have improved my technical skills, relating to tax, and how tax legislation differs depending on the country, and also debt knowledge - such as thin cap and credit rating analysis. Overall, my confidence has increased too.

I really enjoy my programme. The opportunities that are presented to me are excellent, as I get treated no differently to graduates (in terms of attitude and workload). This helps with the development of your attitude and also makes you feel like an equal. I really enjoy the varied work I'm given and the potential opportunities given to me.

My programme is very structured. While the college days available are relatively short - the actual on the job learning is very structured. PwC often send my intake of associates on training courses. This helps with technical knowledge within tax. College days are structured, but independent study is someone down for you to manage.

I receive a lot of support from PwC. My career coach/delegation mentor supports me very much and I can always go to them with any questions I have. As well as this, the rest of the team are very supportive - which helps too. Overall, the firm is very flexible, which helps a lot as I have to commute a fair distance (and trains etc are very unreliable).

Kaplan provide good support for my professional qualification. They help you sit the exam, and if its required, they provide external support outside of the classroom too. Although its not their fault, the classroom days are somewhat limited, and some people feel this is insufficient. I think there is more emphasis on self study.

The professional qualification I'm studying for doesn't directly relate to my Tax specialism (transfer pricing), instead it looks more broadly at tax (large corporate tax). This is still helpful as we are encouraged to take on work from different Lines of service. There is no direct transfer pricing training, as such.

There are many social opportunities related to PwC. Monthly, there are team socials. This helps as it's a nice way to enjoy the end of the month. At every opportunity, there are chances to do things as a team, e.g. team breakfasts, team quizzes, team lunches, team drinks, team runs etc!

Yes

For the type of work, the support you're given and the opportunities that are presented to you to progress your career. Also, the chance to gain professional qualifications at just 19 is very appealing, and the flexible work-study balance is really good. Overall, the quick career progression is excellent.

I would advise someone joining PwC to be open minded with the amount of varied work you'll be given. Also, I would encourage them to be proactive with the work they are given, as the more you are seen to be available and wanting to learn and work - the better!