Tax Associate Review
at BDO
Higher Level Apprenticeship
Accounting
London
Review Submitted: April 2021
Overall Rating
3.2 /5
The Overall Rating is the average of all the ratings given in each category. We take those individual ratings and combine them into one final score!
3/5
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Overview of Role
3/5
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Skills Development
2.8/5
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Structure and Support
Overview of Role
Please give an overview of your role and what this involves on a day-to-day basis:
3/5
I typically assist managers with their admin and draft emails to send to clients. My role is mainly focused on compliance so I prepare UK and US tax returns for the majority of the time. I also have been involved in advisory work and drafting advice to go to clients.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
3/5
I definitely prefer the work side more to my CTA qualification side. I find the teaching not the most engaging but I suppose it is tax so it is limited on how exciting it can be. Work is enjoyable as no two situations are exactly the same so there is not a lot of repetition.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
3/5
I did not know anything about taxation before and I studied humanities at university for both my Bachelors and Masters. The last time I did maths or even had to use a calculator with such frequency was during my Maths A-Level. I also developed problem solving skills and improved my excel skills.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
2/5
It's very organised considering I have set weeks off for 'college' which is delivered internally. However, there is not a lot of study leave dedicated for exams which have to be taken from your own annual leave. I find the communication with the Professional Qualifications team to be difficult.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
3/5
I do not receive a lot of support unless I ask for it. But I do not really need it. I think this might be harder on people who are school leavers who have not had to study and work at the same time. Support is there if you ask for it.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
3/5
My training provider is the company I work for. We have had reviews of progress and what we can do to improve etc. However, after our recent exams in November, we have not had any more progress reviews which I think would be useful. I do not mind the training provider.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
3/5
The qualification I am learning right now is not directly useful in my job as only in the Advanced papers I really learn about stuff that is relevant to my role. However, it's a good snapshot into the tax world and helps me understand the wider context of tax.
Are there extra-curricular activities to get involved in at your work? (For example, any social activities, sports teams, or even professional networking events.)
3/5
During covid the majority of events were held online which I don't think is quite the same. We have had quizzes in our team and the wider London Tax Group has had magicians and comedians perform post January deadline. Before covid, there was pizza making and also a residential center parcs.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend BDO to a friend?
Yes
Why?
Actually it depends on my friend and their circumstances if I would recommend them to BDO or not. BDO is a good company to work for but personally having interned at other big companies, it's same same. It depends on which team and what kind of people you are around.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to BDO?
Trying to find the page on the website to apply for the job itself is quite hard. However, the process is quite standard. Numerical tests, verbal reasoning tests, video interview (recorded) and then a final assessment day. I think just ask plenty of questions - it's a time for you to get to know the company too!
