Tax Consultant Apprentice Review
at KPMG
Higher Level Apprenticeship
Accounting
Reading
Review Submitted: May 2021
Overall Rating
4.8 /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!
5/5
-
Overview of Role
4/5
-
Skills Development
4.6/5
-
Structure and Support
Overview of Role
Please give an overview of your role and what this involves on a day-to-day basis:
5/5
My days do vary on a day to day basis. My days can involve responding to internal and client emails, attending meetings with clients, preparaing bills to send to clients, assisting processing payrolls for clients, preparing tax returns and assisting with the compliance aspect of my role, internal meetings to discuss ongoing actions and can also assist in ad-hoc project work.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
5/5
I really enjoy my apprenticeship programme. I feel there is a good balance between working and studying for exams and I receive a lot of support internally to assist with my exams. I also receive a lot of support within my team when absent from the office from exams and also support with my develop within the team.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
4/5
I think my organisation skills have developed, as I always have multiple pieces of work to complete and emails. It is therefore so important to keep on top of workload and also manage client expectations. My client communication skills have also improved as I understand the level of detail to inclulde in emails and also how to communicate via the phone.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
4/5
I find the programme is well structured. At the start of the programme you receive a lot of support in terms of exams and also tracking OTJL hours etc. However, throughout the programme this becomes more of your personal responsibility, to the point I am not responsible for booking my own exams and tracking my OTJL hours. I therefore find the programme is well structued in the sense you are allowed to lead your own path nearer the end of the apprenticeship.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
5/5
I feel KPMG provide a lot of support to me. I find Tolleys (the training provider) extremeley useful due to the structure of exams and the materials provided. There is also a lot of support internally for support charities, mental health etc. which show KPMG do support their colleagues for matters outside of a working day. We are also kept very much in the loop on business decisions and any changes, for example the return to work scheme due to Covid.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
5/5
I find Tolleys very supportive. There are many online portals available with tuition videos, exam question practise, OTJL tracking and online exam booking systems. I also have quarterly calls with my training coach to ensure I am on track in passing all of my exams and completing my apprenticeship, which is also useful to see what actions need to completed when.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
4/5
The tax qualification is very useful in my role as a lot of the content I learn can be directly applied to my role. For example, a main exam in the ATT exam is for personal taxation, which includes a lot of chapters which I can directly apply to my role. We also complete and Ethics exam, which covers AML which is again applicable to my role.
Are there extra-curricular activities to get involved in at your work? (For example, any social activities, sports teams, or even professional networking events.)
5/5
We do have a lot of socials outside of work, for example an office Christmas party and regular ad hoc social events. There are also so many opportunities to volunteer. We are provided with 6 days to use a year which can be used to assist in volunteering activities. In addition, you are able to volunteer on the charity committee and organising fundraising events.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend KPMG to a friend?
Yes
Why?
Due to the atmosphere and culture set by the firm, through all of the extra curricular activities you can participate in and the culture they set in valuing their people. In addition, the people at KPMG are all so supportive and welcoming which makes day to day so much easier. I would recommend working at KPMG to anyone.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to KPMG?
I would advise performing a lot of research into KPMG values, background and the support to provide to people which shows you appreciate the work KPMG put in to support their colleagues. I would also recommend seeing if there any work experience opportunities within either KPMG or accountancy firms to show your interest in working within this sector.
