Tax associate Review
at BDO
Higher Level Apprenticeship
Accounting
London
Review Submitted: May 2021
Overall Rating
4.3 /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!
4/5
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Overview of Role
4/5
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Skills Development
4/5
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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:
4/5
I work as a tax associate within a specialist tax team. My day to day job involves the administration, senior support and direct engagement with clients to ensure they comply with their tax compliance obligations and assist with writing tax advisory reports. This advisory work often accompanies complex transactions or as support to a change in legislation or tax issue relevant to our client.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
4/5
I enjoy my programme and the work I do. I am technically minded which assists the tax work greatly (in understanding the law rather than the numbers!). The exams get more interesting as your develop and become more complex and the support from my peers and the people I have met really make the programme worth doing.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
4/5
I have developed my report writing and professional language skills as this is a vital part of my day to day job. My communications has also developed as I am required to communicate complex tax issues in a simple manner.
I am starting to learn leadership skills as I mentor new graduates and undertake more of a reviewer role.
I am starting to learn leadership skills as I mentor new graduates and undertake more of a reviewer role.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
4/5
I am undertaking two programmes, one being the ACA exam and one being the CTA exam. The teaching and organisation behind the CTA stream is excellent with first class teaching and appropriate organisation. The ACA stream can be a little lacking at times with some poor tutors or last minute changes but not a huge problem currently.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
5/5
The support received is generally excellent. We are provided with professional tutors, ad hoc guidance and advice and paid study leave days running up to any exams.
We are also provided with a buddy and line manager from a work perspective to ensure we are developing on track and address any issues we may have,
We are also provided with a buddy and line manager from a work perspective to ensure we are developing on track and address any issues we may have,
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
4/5
We are provided with excellent exam support. The work has an 'exam first' attitude and therefore study will always take priority over the exams in my team. The tutors provided are often first rate (particularly in the CTA stream) and we are given access to a whole host of resources to assist with our studies,
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
3/5
I am currently working towards two qualifications, the ACA and the CTA. The ACA qualification provides limited use in my day to day work as I work in tax, however has given me a slightly better commercial and accounting understanding.
The CTA qualification is incredibly relevant to my job and often provides real time support to projects I am working on.
The CTA qualification is incredibly relevant to my job and often provides real time support to projects I am working on.
Are there extra-curricular activities to get involved in at your work? (For example, any social activities, sports teams, or even professional networking events.)
4/5
Before COVID, our team had a regular 5 a-side football game after hours and a strong social scene in the pub. In particular, I assist with the social committee and often have a hand in organising such events. An annual pub quiz and softball tournament are also regular features on the calendar.
There are also networking societies to increase one's support network regularly.
There are also networking societies to increase one's support network regularly.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend BDO to a friend?
Yes
Why?
I enjoy the work done in my role, in particular, i have forged great relationships with my team members and regularly attend socials and other activities. A lot of study support is provided during your apprenticeship programme in order to maintain high pass rates. Furthermore, once qualified, there are enough opportunities to progress within the firm.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to BDO?
Understand that wherever you go, the qualifications and exams will be hard and make this your top priority within the first few years.
Try and swallow any nerves before a face to face stage as often being able to talk to people and build relationships is more important than most technical knowledge and firm knowledge.
Try and swallow any nerves before a face to face stage as often being able to talk to people and build relationships is more important than most technical knowledge and firm knowledge.
