Apprentice Tax Technician Review
at Irwin Mitchell
Higher Level Apprenticeship
Legal/Law
Chichester
Review Submitted: February 2023
Overall Rating
4.5 /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
5/5
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Skills Development
4/5
-
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
I usually start my day by checking emails that have come in, writing a to do list and booting up apps that I need for my job. I then provide admin support to members of the team where possible and then spend a large amount of the day preparing tax returns for clients, interacting with clients or completing tasks that are necessary for the formation of a tax return
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
5/5
it is a very fun programme to be on - every day is a new learning experience and I am very grateful to be doing it with the team that I am a part of as they are very understanding and knowledgeable. It doesn't feel like a chore waking up to come to work so I feel that says enough
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
5/5
Everything that I have learned has been a new experience since I came from a background in butchery - I have learned a lot of new systems and processes about preparing tax returns, the laws around tax and also payroll software. I have developed a lot of pre-existing soft skills also such as team working, communication and patience.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
3/5
The work side of the programme is very well organised, I am always aware of tasks that can be done and who I can speak to if I have any queries about the tasks. The education side isn't as good though as BPP aren't very communicative if I have any issues with the education side of the apprenticeship.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
5/5
As much or as little support as I feel that I need, which is perfect. If I have any questions, there is always someone who knows the answer and is happy to run through the processes with me, I am very grateful for that as I rarely know exactly what needs to be done at all points
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
2/5
It is markedly different from the support that I receive from my employer, unfortunately. i can still get enough support to get by and haven't failed an exam yet (touch wood) but the immediate support is definitely lacking, it seems that the provider doesn't communicate with the students as much as I feel that they need to
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
5/5
The qualification that I am working towards is invaluable and essential to me being able to carry about my work. As I am working towards a specialist professional tax qualification i really wouldn't be able to get anywhere further in my career if I wanted to, it teaches me everything that I need to know to be able to perform the best I can in 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
Yes there are many, for example, we have a monthly social meeting after work on the first Wednesday of the month which I have been to a few times, we run quiz nights sometimes and also enter teams into other firm's quiz nights. We do charity days every now and again too which is always a good way to do good and meet other people in the office/wider firm
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend Irwin Mitchell to a friend?
Yes
Why?
The reputation that comes with working for the largest general service law firm in the country is always something that looks good on a CV for one. Secondly, they are very caring about individual employees where needed too, but also on a more general line of thought - an example being the Flexible By Choice policy which allows for work to still be completed but in a way that works best for the individual circumstances of a particular employee
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to Irwin Mitchell?
Absolutely go for it - our new apprenticeship opportunities are live now as of 9/2/23 and if you are reading this locally, there is a paralegal apprenticeship opportunity live in the Chichester office, if you are reading this from a tax viewpoint, there is an apprenticeship opportunity live in the Sheffield office. Be calm and be yourself when applying as the firm will be accepting of whatever that is.
