Tax Semi Senior Review
at PKF Smith Cooper
Higher Level Apprenticeship
Tax
Birmingham
Review Submitted: April 2025
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
3.8/5
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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:
4/5
My role includes managing, reviewing and preparing corporation tax returns from a wide range of companies from charities to large corporates. I correspond with HMRC and I investigate tax legislation in order to solve any tax issues, as well as corresponding with the client to work out the most prudent approaches.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
4/5
The experience is enriching but challenging, an environment in which I am supported to succeed by being surrounded by colleagues with a wealth of knowledge, with a mix of independent working and working in a team. The exams are extremely hard and the support is needed for this level of work.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
4/5
I have learned how to revise, developed some areas of my discipline and learned managerial skills.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
4/5
The programme is fairly well structured, and laid out by the Kaplan support coach, and I know what it entails over the time. Exams are once every 6 months and in the 3 month gap between exam and result, further skills learning are provided to enhance my experience at every level.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
3/5
I receive a decent amount of support from my employer but I do not receive many 1 to 1 discussions from management to check in on my progress, this is mostly self led and pushed by myself. I am, however, aware that the support is there should I ask for it.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
4/5
I receive support every 6 weeks from my training provider to check in and ensure that I am on the right path. They have also provided me with regular check ins from a CTA coach for the resit of my exams and they have put me in touch with the mental health team when I was struggling.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
3/5
My qualification gives me an in depth look at how to apply and how to interpret legislation, how to calculate any tax and how to write responses to a client. The exam I am currently doing, however, does not have any in depth relation with my job as it is in a different area 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.)
5/5
I am involved in social activities regularly, as well as being a part of the mental health first aid committee, and the values committee.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend PKF Smith Cooper to a friend?
Yes
Why?
The culture of the office is excellent, with a mixture of support from colleagues and interesting people to get on with across departments. People are kind and understanding, far from the culture in other accounting firms.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to PKF Smith Cooper?
Research the company and expect a good chat with our recruitment team - they will want to know about who you are and your hobbies and passions
