Employment Tax Advisor Review

My role involves providing large employers with employment tax advice on a broad range of issues. I correspond directly with clients, lead calls, attend client meetings and also get involved in project proposals. Day to day also involves conversations and meetings with colleagues to both build my technical knowledge and to give me an insight into a greater range of the work going on in the market.

I have learnt a myriad of new skills throughout my apprenticeship, including how to communicate effectively and professionally with colleagues and clients through various forms of communication. I have built on my excel and word skills and also gained skills using Google apps. I have developed the skill of public speaking and presenting, whilst also developing new skills in this area as I observe others and their good practices. The technical skills I have learnt throughout this apprenticeship have been invaluable and largely down to the variety of work I have had the opportunity to be involved in, and the variety of people I have been able to work with. Separately, the tax training provided alongside the apprenticeship to complete my ATT qualification was to a high standard.

I thoroughly enjoyed the PwC Higher Apprenticeship programme. I felt invested in by both the firm and my colleagues, and the training provided equipped me well for the tasks I was given in my first two years. I have felt stretched and challenged in the work that I do, and this has always been a positive experience due to the support provided by my colleagues. The team culture is inclusive, supportive and friendly whilst maintaining the right level of professionalism.

The structure of the programme was less clear at the beginning, since it was fairly new when I joined. However as developments have been made with the programme we have been kept well informed. The training provided throughout the apprenticeship has equipped me for my role and the firm is continually building on the training available and the forms in which it can be accessed. I felt incredibly supported when undertaking exams, with colleagues understanding of the fact I needed to be able to leave on time to fit in study. The firm was also linked up with the training providers to ensure I could take the relevant days off for college and that this would not be an issue internally. I felt that I had access to the same opportunities as a graduate when joining on the higher apprenticeship scheme. Never was there any favouritism in terms of delegating tasks to the graduates ahead of the apprentices, and I have valued the equal level of investment in my development.

I received full support from PwC to undertake my exams, as well as funding and the relevant time off to take exams. I would say that it would have been preferable to have more study days in the lead up to exams rather than having to take a significant amount of my holiday to be able to prepare. The firm has a well established people manager system with the aim of providing each employee with a designated person to go to with any questions about work, development, the firm etc. This has been an effective way to keep a focus on my goals and continually reevaluate my work to allow me to meet the goals we have set. I have also found the firm to be very supportive when it comes to flexible working for personal commitments and medical appointments.

I received a reasonable level of support from the training provider whilst doing my ATT qualification. A few tutors made themselves available via email to answer questions, however some it felt as if support was only provided in the classroom and even then there was often not enough time to ask questions since the teaching slots were fast paced. However the majority of tutors were approachable for questions when onsite at the Kaplan centres. It was more difficult to contact Kaplan itself regarding issues such as exam applications etc. However my overall experience of Kaplan was that the tutors had high levels of technical knowledge and most were able to pass this on in a very effective manner.

I have found one of the 5 modules (Business Compliance) I undertook to be particularly helpful in bettering my performance in my role as it had a heavy focus on employment tax. Another module (Personal Tax) on tax in a broader sense has also provided me with knowledge which I am able to transfer to my current role in Reward and Employment Tax. The other modules do not help my role as such, however the knowledge gained is helpful in gaining a greater understanding of tax, accounting and law in a broader sense. I have also gained skills such as information retention and how to write a technical response to a client's query through undertaking the ATT exam.

There are many extra-curricular activities to get involved in, including running clubs and sports teams, committees that make differences in the office, the PwC Pantomime, and a variety of faith and D&I networks. There are also many opportunities to attend networking and learning events outside of the office which we are encouraged to take advantage of.

Yes

PwC is a high calibre firm with a great reputation with its clients which means that as an employee, we are exposed to a wide variety of work and have access to the newest technical developments, technology and insights into changes. PwC also has an inclusive and caring culture which manifests itself in the support provided from staff and the flexible nature of the work.

To prepare well for interviews and ensure you are up to date with hot topics in the area you are applying for. To show initiative and an eagerness to learn and develop, and to support clients with their issues. Also to not be intimidated by the size of PwC since the culture internally does not make the size of the firm an issue but an opportunity.