Junior Tax Associate Review

by BDO

Best Apprenticeship Employer

Rating

5/10

1. Please give an overview of your role and what this involves on a day-to-day basis:

I mostly do compliance and draft documents

5/10

2. Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?

I have learned how to do a tax return

5/10

3. To what extent do you enjoy your programme?

There isnt much exposure to clients or any face to face work, so you mostly learn compliance

5/10

4. How well organised/structured is your programme?

Its 4 years, ACA and CTA combined, so mostly it looks like you are in for 2 months in the office working, then you are out for a month on study leave. Its very on and off

5/10

5. How much support do you receive from your employer?

Not much, mental health is not really taken into consideration and even if you have a doctors note you have to fight to prove it

4/10

6. How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?

There is some, but not much. As I said, apparently mental health is not enough to postpone your exams

5/10

7. How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?

There isnt much correlation between my job and qualification, I feel like it could be done without it. There isnt much elaborate stuff daily as it is in the books

3/10

8. Are there extra-curricular activities to get involved in at your work? (For example, any social activities, sports teams, or even professional networking events.)

There are some 'societies' that you can participate in, as well as social every 2 months. There is always something happening

8/10

9a. Would you recommend BDO to a friend?

9b. Why?

There is lack of support for exams - since there is high employee turnover,

10. What tips or advice would you give to others applying to BDO?

Please do you research about exams, and whether they are actually worth it.