Trainee Associate - Expatriate Tax Review

My role involves preparing tax returns, attending client briefings, lots of team meetings and floor meetings, talking to HMRC on a regularly basis to check up on information and posting to them certain forms which are required.

My organisational skills and communication skills have improved by far. But above all I think time management has been key especially with the number of tasks you are given to do. This plays an important part during January and busy season because it's almost insane the amount of responsibility and tasks you are given to do, sometimes you have to be honest and say you have no capacity.

I have absolutely loved the programme mainly because working for a company like this in this particularly office in Hays Galleria has such a great relaxed feel to it where everyone seems to know each other. You still get best of both worlds with a number of meetings in the bigger offices. Work can get repetitive at times but it's all about how you make life here to be, you just have to put yourself forward to doing other tasks if you want to.

The amount of recognition at the firm is very nice especially by the partners and directors. However at times there could be improvements on this from client teams because sometimes once the work is out the way, there is not much recognitiion especially after tough periods. But overall I do feel positive about how the firm values me as an employee and not as a minor.

The programme seems very organised especially compared to a few years back after speaking to a couple of ex-apprentices who first started on the scheme and now are senior associates. It's a great way to sort of see your future and explore the different paths available after the 2 years. In terms of exams and college, the firm keeps you up to date about dates and mock exams and constantly keep you on track which is fantastic. The diploma is also a good addition to the apprenticeship but in my opinion there doesn't seem to be much motivation to do it among the majority.

Kaplan is our training provided and college days are excellent with fantastic tutors. They advise us on who to contact for help inside and outside of pwc too. But I think they can make a bit more effort to check up on the students to see how people are coping excluding the link exams and mock exams, because it seems like after college is over (which is about 5 days in total over the first year) that's the last we hear from them.

PwC in my opinion give so much support in terms of team members, constant updates to keep our technological knowledge up to date, in-office lessons for us new joiners, it's brilliant. Every single person seems willing to help which is what makes this whole environment so comfortable.

I believe this is one of the flaws because although the salary is good for an apprenticeship, we are still working in london therefore travel costs do not adapt to out situation along with other things such as living costs. It is very difficult with this salary eventhough we do get extra benefits from the employer. We are still paying rent and the costs seem to outweigh the salary therefore life can get very difficult and affect many social aspects of the firm s especially when socialising with other members of the firm on much better salaries (meaning associates).

There are a whole load of things to get involve with outside of work; charity work, cycling and running marathons, you can even set up your own charity team. It is great to know that the firm looks out for your wellbeing outside of work.

Yes

Mainly because for me working life is about the environment you work in and I can say for sure, at least in this office location in Hays Galleria, that compared to my previous 2 work places this is the most comfortable I have felt by far.

I would advise other sto keep in mind that the things that they are preparing for when going for interviews, are the type of things that we are going to constantly go over throughout working life here and not just for the interview. Therefore if those things do not look appealing, you'll know that this isn't the type of place or work for you.