360 Apprentice Review

My role currently involves tax work, moving away from compliance it’s more advisory based with ad hoc tax queries although some compliance is still undertaken. Organisation of global tax filings including corporate, indirect tax, transfer pricing and withholding tax. Working on a number of large clients at once and managing communication.

I have learnt plenty of new technical skills progressing through exams and during work as well as soft skills like time management, communication with clients and partners, managing capacity etc.

It’s a great way to get highly qualified without having a degree first. There are options to work in a number of different teams and get a wide range of experience but this is largely dictated by which location you’re in.

The work aspect of the program is well structured with clear annual reviews and progression path. The exam side is of the program is difficult to navigate with little choice of when and in which order you sit exams and communication is poor in regards to the apprentice aspect.

Support from the teams whilst working is brilliant however workload during exam time is often high and communication of the additional requirements for apprentices isn’t always given or understood by teams.

Adequate support from the training provider, there are a huge range of tools and options for support including face to face tuition, online courses, forums, practice papers, question banks and hard copy materials.

Not everything in the exams will be directly relevant to my role however this does build the overall picture and helps with general knowledge of each team and identifies areas and teams you may want to explore. Elements of the exams are directly relevant and extremely useful making day to day work a lot easier.

Yes, plenty of social events, sports activities and internal networks to be a part of. Regular office and team social events to network and support to attend professional networking outside of work is always encouraged.

Yes

It’s a great place to start your career and gain experience of large multinational clients. Hard work pays off and there’s a clear progression path to assistant manager having passed all exams with regular pay increases annually in line with progression of exams and experience on the job.

Research the different types of apprenticeship and areas you may be interested in before applying. Some offer the ability to experience multiple sectors whilst others do not. Be yourself and be confident, the teams are very inclusive and welcoming and always reach out and ask questions.