Tax Assistant Review

My role is to support the personal client services team in the tax department. This includes admin jobs, such as ensuring client contracts are up to date, but also technical work such as drafting actual tax returns.

The apprenticeship allows you to develop all kinds of skills and really push your career. I started this apprenticeship having no knowledge of tax, but now 6 months down the line I can say I have had many leadership opportunities and learnt a lot of technical knowledge on the job.

I really enjoy the programme and could not imagine doing anything else. My studies are supported by managers and if I have any issues there are so many people/departments that I can turn to.

I believe it is well organised but sometimes I believe people forget that you're not just another employee, you are an apprentice with other responsibilities. However, I do like how the lessons are structured when it comes to studying, just wish we had real classroom settings rather than virtual classrooms.

I receive a lot of support from my employer. We all have a line manager and a buddy assigned to us when we begin and it makes the process a lot easier in terms of integrating into the team. There are a lot of information points and help points that we can turn to if we have a question that can't be answered by a colleague.

We have 6-weekly reviews from our training provider and other responsibilities with them so that we are focused on our apprenticeship and learning outcomes. We get to discuss exams and our apprenticeship activities with no pressure, and if need be, they show us how to complete certain activities in detail and are very patient with you.

My qualification helps me perform better in my role as I recognise what issues clients come across and how they can be solved. When I start tax returns or advisory work I don't need to ask for explanations as often as I have an understanding about tax implications and areas of risk.

There are never ending extra-curricular activities to get involved in. My team specifically does social activities every quarter, the last one we did was 2 weeks ago and we did a ghost tour. Some of my colleagues also like to get involved in marathons and have ran together in Jersey marathons and most recently the Paris one.

Yes

Amazing support and great people working together. Everyone is really friendly and supportive and make you feel welcome. The training providers also make sure you stay on top of your activities and your line managers have regular catch ups with you to ensure you are staying on track. You also get treated as a regular employee with access to benefits and any events the employer organises.

Be yourself, it is one of BDO's mottos. Whilst they offer an office job, your colleagues do not want just another person sitting there and working on a computer. They much prefer someone who is outgoing and can talk about everyday things and have friendly conversations. Sell your personality just as much as your skills.