Business Analyst Review

I am a Tax Technology Business Analyst, meaning I work with stakeholders in our business and their clients to develop, find and employ technologies which will improve our experience of providing tax services and our clients' experience of receiving those services. My team will have a key role in restructuring our business for the future.

Yes! I joined EY having done humanities a-levels and was given both tax technical and emerging technology training and development opportunities so that I am now able to carry out a highly specialised tax technology role. I am studying towards a Chartered Accountancy qualification and I have also been given opportunities to develop strong soft skills in this time: presentation skills, written communication, stakeholder mapping etc.

I have really enjoyed my programme so far. When I have expressed interests in other fields (working with more pharma clients, emerging technology, presentation opportunities, travel etc) my managers have worked with me to make these a part of my role. I feel listened to, valued, and able to pursue the things which interest me most.

Very well organised. There is an online portal that allows me to view my progress with skill development, off the job learning and my upcoming college and exam dates, and I am able to get in touch with my Apprenticeship Coach or the Professional Qualifications Team whenever I have questions.

There is a really great support infrastructure at EY: HR are accessible via an online chat, phone call or email at any time, and all employees have a 'Counselor', a person whose role it is to support you pastorally and help you develop your career and achieve your goals. For apprentices specifically, we also have support from an Apprenticeship coach who is incredibly knowledgeable about our scheme and also available for pastoral support. Overall, there is also a really strong mentoring culture, and I have several mentors across the business who are dedicated to helping me succeed.

My training provider is very organised, providing good quality materials alongside materials from our professional body (who administer the exams). We have college either online or in person with knowledgeable tutors for every exam, who invariably make themselves available outside of college lectures for any questions. There is also an online 'chat to a tutor' function available 7 days a week. I personally do not enjoy sitting my exams, but I couldn't ask for a better support system from my training provider.

Because my role in tax technology is highly specialised and the Chartered Accountancy qualification ACA covers a broader range of topics (financial reporting, audit and assurance, governance etc) there are not many examples of where my qualification informs my job role. However, as my job has largely focused on FTSE250, it has given me valuable insight into private and sole trader businesses.

Yes, so many! There are sports teams for football, netball and tennis, and networks including our Womens Network, Unity (LGBT) Network, Muslim Network, Sikh Network and Family Network. There are also loads of professional networking events and socials: we go out for lunch at least once a month as a team, celebrating occasions, promotions or new joiners, and the junior population, including apprentices, are given funding to organise social events. We also have an Arts Partnership with galleries, allowing us free access to Tate and V&A exhibitions, as well as local family craft days.

Yes

I feel that EY is a great place to learn and develop far beyond your professional qualification. I joined EY with Politics, History and Psychology A-levels and have since been empowered to provide international tax advice, run a software development team and present in front of hundreds of people. I feel valued and listened to, and am confident that this will extend beyond my apprenticeship.

Do your research! Look up the EY careers website to read as much as you can about the application process and role, then read up on your chosen service line and try to speak to at least one person from EY about their job. You can reach out to them on LinkedIn, they'll be happy to help! When you're asked the question 'Why EY?', you want to be able to have a really compelling answer that includes a comment on the job role, the service line, and culture. Our culture is particularly important to discuss as it sets us apart from the rest of the Big Four (KPMG, Deloitte and PwC).