Tax Associate Review

Tax compliance trainee - preparing and reviewing basic tax computations, involves emailing clients to request information and managing client relationships more generally. Majority of interactions with colleagues at similar or slightly higher grade. Occasional calls with clients. Responsible for element of project management and ensuring deliverables completed on time. Minor but increasing amount of advisory work in addition to routine compliance.

Developed accountancy and tax skills from scratch through ACA/CTA training programme (tuition and examinations), also through more informal discussion with colleagues. Further development through attending internal training and technical sessions. Project management skills developed by taking on more responsibility for projects. Personal skills - engaging in discussion with colleagues and clients, learning how to respond sensitively to issues that arise.

I have found the work interesting, although I do feel that I am only slowly coming to understand the requirements and feel that I have a lot still to learn. I have found the team supportive and enjoyable to work with and I appreciate that the culture seems to be one of high standards and achievement while also appreciating the need for colleagues to get on well together and have external interests. I like working for BDO.

ACA/CTA exams are clearly structured and path to progression is clear - tuition is useful and colleagues always able to help with queries. Some concerns about apprenticeship-specific pathway as requirements not always clear and admin can be onerous without having a clear purpose. Happy with structure of work team and levels of delegation, now focusing on delegating work to more junior colleagues.

Excellent support from employer whenever needed - my line manager and more senior staff were very helpful during a time of personal difficulty which I very much appreciated. Other internal support pathways seem strong and clear. I feel very supported to do a good job at my firm and colleagues generally are always approachable.

Reasonable level of support generally - some administrative difficulties but these are usually quickly resolved. Tutors appear generally keen to help and to see their students do well. Guidance appears readily available when needed. On the whole I have enjoyed training with my training provider and have no complaints to make.

Qualification has made a significant difference to my understanding of accountancy generally and also of specific technical areas. It has built a strong knowledge base for day to day work which I have tried to put into practice and given me a sense of areas outside of my immediate experience - all of this has been very useful.

Regular company socials at level of office and tax team. CSR encouraged and supported. I have enjoyed taking part in a firm-wide football tournament as this was a good way to build relationships with colleagues from my team. There are a variety of well being events and this seems to be something important on the firm's agenda.

Yes

I have really enjoyed working at BDO. I think high standards are expected and encouraged; I think the firm encourages a healthy attitude to work, commitment to doing the job but also an awareness that people need to detach and unwind. Support was very much there when I needed it. Colleagues seem friendly and approachable and I honestly think this is a great place to work.

Useful to acknowledge the benefits of training and working outside of the Big 4 - staff are valued and training is treated as important rather than an annoyance. I thought the application process was fair and reasonable. Not sure that there is anything I would do differently now but I would certainly encourage anyone considering working here to apply as I think BDO is keen to make room for a wide variety of people.