Private Client Tax Trainee Review

My main responsibility was to support senior colleagues with the tax annual tax compliance cycle to include the preparation and submission of tax returns, liaising with clients, and dealing with HMRC queries. This helped me develop knowledge and gain exposure across the wider business and learn different ways in which MKS support and engage with clients. One of my main duties was tax compliance whereby I assisted the preparation and filling personal tax returns for clients of the firm.

I would say a strength from my performance on placement was my willingness to learn and be prepared to take on more responsibility where possible. This enabled me to enhance my personal growth through having greater exposure to enhance my capabilities. An example of this was me taking the initiative to work longer hours during the busy season in December and January where I was exposed to more complicated clients which I would provide service to. This improved my resilience by learning through mistakes and persist when there was possible adversity. Another example of this was taking the initiative of taking the opportunity of going into employment tax department where it got busy highlighting my desire to learn to skills and knowledge. This improved my problem-solving skills as I was faced with unfamiliar challenges in the client work which going forward allows me to overcome obstacles effectively.

I have improved my attention to detail with the more exposure I received of client work. An example of this was when I was assigned a tax return by my line manager which needed to be completed the same day; for a client who had a lot of details needed for input into their working papers and Citrix. I had to carefully analyse the information sent over by the client and input it in the software and working papers appropriately to ensure I formed an accurate tax return. This event was similar in terms of I had been experienced like client work prior, so I had the awareness of how to infer the data. I learned the significance of patience and not rushing to reduce errors instead maintaining high quality of client work that can meet the required deadline.

I utilised teamwork effectively when I would be when assigned a client’s tax return, I was unsure on how to interpret the information and where to input on Citrix; so, I requested for help from my team which explained to me what to do constructively. I passed the tax return onto peer review and received feedback on what I needed to correct on the working papers. The important aspect in this event is the collaboration to overcome challenges and develop unity within the team. I learnt as well as from this which further developed my professionalism when working in a team which is crucial for creating a positive environment for helping to achieve a common goal.

Moore Kingston Smith position on how the employee’s mental and physical well-being is promoting a healthy work-life balance where individuals still have free time to pursue stuff they desire to do. Whereas other organisation in the accounting sector is known for over-working their employees which can lead to them being burnt out and mentally overwhelmed. MKS avoids this by having regular firm wide activities organised and promoting a people first workplace for individuals to realise and fulfil their potential

I would say I had a positive experience on placement as I had develop my interpersonal and soft skills. An example of this is being hesitant to ask for help when shadowing employment tax sector whereby when I was stuck, I would ask for assistance from experienced team colleagues. This allowed me to receive a clear explanation to broaden my knowledge; so, going forward I am more aware of what I need to do. For the future going forwards, the timescales to implement improvement would be now and so forth when I return to the working world after graduation. An action I will take to improve is reflection and the feedback received from my line manager for example, at the start of my placement I was advised to be more engaging and the I received insightful constructive feedback from my work in employment tax. This allowed me to be grow in confidence in my role and become a better team member

Yes