Analyst Review

I am a tax analyst preparing US and UK tax returns for high net worth individuals. I focus mainly on compliance work but also have some advisory and client facing responsibility within the business. The main focus of my work is to ensure that clients' compliance returns are fully filed and correct.

I have learnt a lot of new skills as I had no tax experience whatsoever prior to joining Deloitte. I have also developed presentational skills and confidence when speaking publicly. This has improved my professional communication skills, as well as my ability to articulate complex problems in a more simplified manner.

I enjoy my job, but I do not enjoy the apprenticeship aspect and was not told of this when I joined. I thought that my work would involve professional exams, but did not realise that this was also including an apprenticeship programme which has not really been necessary for my role.

First Intuition have provided good feedback when required, but the overall organisation has not been great. The portfolio website is hard to use, but they have provided good guidance on it. There is constant talk around deadlines and help with submitting portfolios. The exam organisation has been fantastic for me.

We receive quite a bit of support in terms of study leave and there is a good HR process in place. The firm are open to supporting us through any problems we have in the workplace. This is not really the domain of the First Intuition training providers though, but Deloitte have been good.

Tolleys have been excellent in organising courses and study periods for us. The mock exams have been testing and relevant for us to prepare for the real exam. The firm provide us with study leave periods to enable us to revise. First Intuition have nothing to do with this as far as I know.

The exam qualification is integral to my performance in my role. The apprenticeship is not, and this is my main gripe with the scheme. We should have just done the exams - the apprenticeship is an unnecessary appendix to the professional qualifications, and has not really helped my performance at all.

There are social events and limited professional networking events at my level at the moment. The social side of my job is great, but there is nothing in terms of sports or anything wider than social drinks occasionally with some team mates. Deloitte emphasised a lot about sport teams but I have not heard anything.

Yes

Deloitte are a massive, great company that is well respected and provide its employees with great training and professional support in the workplace. They also have a flexible environment which has a good work life balance. They have also been considerate in times of extenuating circumstances, which is appreciated by me.

Deloitte is a good company to work for, but fully investigate your professional qualifications and apprenticeship options before joining. I also think that the role has been slightly missold, as there has been much more compliance work in the first few years than expected, and it is harder to get to grips with this side.