Trainee Tax Advisor Review

My role is to help manage a portfolio of over 10 clients and assisting them with their VAT compliance and returns. Most of the clients I work with are in the public sector, I communicate with them regularly to update them on the reviews I undertake of their AP and AR transactions.

I have definitely developed in my confidence massively. Because my job role meant I was quite literally thrown into the deep end and having to meet new people on a daily basis when going to client sites, this meant my confidence and people skills increased a lot. I have also improved in my professionalism I believe.

Although I do have some challenging moments where balancing my career, studies and social life is hard, I enjoy the programme to a large extent. I believe I got very lucky to be in the team I'm in and they are very supportive and motivating. It is definitely a good programme for people who know what they want.

My programme is very well organised, the journey as to how you complete your qualification is made very clear and my interactions with the PQ (Professional Qualifications) team have been very pleasant. They are extremely accommodating in any issues with exams and studies etc. I like the fact that our study days are strictly for study and not work.

I receive a good amount of support from my counsellor and team as well as the PQ team. My team are usually very understanding, although it can feel hard at times when there are busy periods at work and you have an exam coming up. Nonetheless the team at work are very supportive.

I receive a good amount of support from my training provider, the boundaries between study time and working time is made very clear. There is sufficient study time and college dates are made clear. All in all I haven't encountered any issues so far in working towards my qualification whilst working.

I believe it helps me quite a lot as I learn some things that are beneficial to my role. For example I never knew how different business entities can be affected by their relationships to our business, like an audit client cannot be considered for tax work within work unless they meet very specific conditions. Learning things like this helps me understand why we accept certain clients and why we dont accept others.

Yes there are numerous communities and networks within the business, for example the Muslim network and the LGBTQ network. We have many professional networking events within the firm and outside, my team has a specific ladies in finance event we pull off every Christmas for our female clients and team members.

Yes

It is the perfect opportunity to have a successful accounting career if that is what you want out of life. Your journey at EY is clear and you are aware of what your next step is, you can't go wrong with it if a job in a competitive and challenging environment is what you aspire to have. They will accommodate you in whatever it is you desire.

Do your research and be prepared for the professional workplace you are entering; don't enter it naively like I did! Be confident and most importantly, as cliche as it sounds, be yourself. A career in this workplace can sometimes be challenging so its important you enjoy it or else its not worth it!