Business Tax associate Review

My role at Tilney Smith & Williamson as a tax associate is to help people prepare tax computations for a range of large businesses. Together, we will plan how what parts are needed from me and I will work through these tasks, with the help of my colleagues if needed.

I have learnt new skills since joining through my ACA exams, internal training and just being in the office. The exams help you build up key skills and knowledge for your role. In the office there is internal training that will help you learn more in specialised areas. and become a lot better at day to day things such as Excel.

I really enjoy the programme I am doing here. There is a great team culture where everyone is willing to help, and there are no silly questions. Most people in the team have joined through the apprenticeship prorgamme so everyone knows what you are going through and can give you great advice. There is a large intake each year so there will be plenty of people in the same boat as you at the start so you don't feel alone if you ever need help. The job is really enjoyable from the first day as you are put on clients straight away and feel part of the team from day one.

There is a good structure to training, it is clearly set out from the start when your exams will be, and there is lots of training at the start to help ease you into the programme. There are nice breaks between the different levels of exam, so there is time to have a break from exams and focus on work more. You are assigned with a trainee buddy and a senior buddy, so there is lots of support for you in the team, and they can also help you get work to keep you busy.

There is a lot of support from the team. You are assigned a trainee buddy, senior buddy, appraiser and a training manager, as well as support from the training provider. This means that most of the time there is someone just one email or message away to help with whatever your issue or question is.

There is always an assigned tutor to each exam you take, who you can email at any time. There is also a a skills and development coach who is very helpful in making sure you are keeping up with all of the admin tasks of completing the apprenticeship.

The qualification helps massively, as the majority of the exams you do, directly link to your day to day job. The more exam I have completed, the more confident I have been completing the work.

Within our team there is a team social once a month, which are great for meeting people at the start when you are new, but also very fun once you know everyone. These are often are sporting activities that are fun to do together. We are also located in central London, so often you can go out for lunch with the team or go somewhere after work with your colleagues.

Yes

Because of the great culture of the workplace, the experience of working in a large firm in central London, and the high quality enjoyable work you do

Make sure to prepare some good questions to ask the interviewers, and also take advantage of the Q&As with the current trainees that you get during your application process, as these will help you learn aboit the firm and the team, and make you want to join.