Tax Associate Review
at PwC
Higher Level Apprenticeship
Accounting
Manchester
Review Submitted: February 2023
Overall Rating
4.1 /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
3.6/5
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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 across the northern tax line of service and I get work from a wide array of areas. This includes corporate tax, private business/ private client, transfer pricing and indirect tax. No two days are the same and the work varies from day to day and week to week.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
4/5
I enjoy the work that I do and the people that I work with. The exams can be very stressful at times, but they are worth it in the end. The people I work with are also a credit to the firm and are always happy to help with queries.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
4/5
I joined PwC with no prior accounting knowledge and have learnt a lot during my time at the firm. I am on a level 7 apprenticeship doing my exams for my ACA qualification, and also receive lots of internal firm and on the job training. I have sat 12 out of 16 exams so far.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
3/5
The professional qualifications team who sorts the exams side of the apprenticeship aren't the best. They put us on a very intensive exam pathway compared to a traditional route where you would get more time. They have also changed their plans for our pathway a few times in 18 months.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
4/5
A lot. The training is all paid for through the apprenticeship scheme, and so is all internal training. We are reminded to complete mandatory trainings by deadlines and the exam courses are all booked for us, as well as some of the ACA exams. Some exams we are required to book ourselves.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
4/5
A lot. We have designated tutors for each course and designated tuition days where we are not expected to be in work. We also all have a talent coach through kaplan who helps keep us on track with the apprenticeship admin that needs to be completed. We meet with them every couple of months.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
4/5
The knowledge, skills and behaviours learnt on the programme can definitely be applied in the day to day role. Some exams are also useful day to day, such as the tax exams, as I work in the tax line of service. Other exams are not too relevant 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.)
3/5
Yes there are some social committees for different religions, ethnicities and sexual orientations. There is also the opportunity to network across the firm and attend ICAEW balls for trainee accountants to broaden our network. I think we do have some sports teams too, but I am not a part of any.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend PwC to a friend?
Yes
Why?
The firm is keen to look out for its staff, whether that be training, wellbeing, cost of living support payments for the lowest earners, etc. The people are all great and I feel part of a team and wider community at the firm. They also provide the best quality training in this sector.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to PwC?
Do your best! It is hard work but worth the rewards. Having a qualification from a big 4 firm will take you a long way in your career, either within professional services firms or in industry. It is also common for people to have imposter syndrome, even people at the very top of the firm and more senior staff appreciate that.
