Conor McDaid – Tax Graduate

I graduated from UCD in 2017 with a BSc in General Science. After graduation, l was unsure of what career path to take in life – I’ve always had a strong passion for science but the reality of working long term in a lab was not so appealing. I started to look at the full range of options that my degree gave me. After learning of Deloitte’s graduate program and that it was open to driven graduates from a myriad of different backgrounds I submitted my application (and luckily I got the job!)

I was part of a big intake of new trainees and I quickly learned that many came from accounting, science, technology, law and commerce backgrounds. There is a large amount of support for everyone who enters the graduate program. We are all assigned a buddy and we also get an appraiser from the management team. The Deloitte Academy provides in-house training and induction so everyone is developing at the same level.

I work in the Indirect Tax department and almost immediately I was brought into a project and despite having no experience or background knowledge I was mentored so that after a few months I was compiling important documents for a major property sale. At every moment my colleagues, from fellow trainees to senior managers, directors and up to our partner gave their time to explain to me new concepts or answer any questions I had (and I had a lot!).

On the job I learn about tax, developments in Irish and EU legislation, and about each of our client’s industries. I have had the opportunity to attend events and meet with clients from the pharmaceutical and telecommunications sectors. My STEM background allows me to better understand many of our potential client’s products, which in turn allows me to provide recommendations to the management team in relation to more technical products or services.

Another element of my role involves preparing tax returns. There too my degree has aided me as we are looking at technological solutions involving AI to make time savings. The research skills I used in my degree are universal and they have helped me look into clients’ backgrounds, new systems and methods so we can work more effectively.

As a Deloitte graduate I was involved in Impact Day, a day where everyone has the opportunity participate in projects that reach out to the local community – our project involved consulting and developing a strategy for a hospital based charity. It was a great experience to work with my colleagues in consulting and see the work they do. In this situation everyone’s input is valued and taken on board.

There are also little office perks at Deloitte like Casual Fridays every week and Friday treats at the beginning of the month. Every other week we seem to have birthday cake in the kitchen and during the summer we can take a compressed working week so we finish early on a Friday.

I am glad that I received my place on the Deloitte graduate program. Every day I gain valuable experience working in a top firm alongside experts in their field. I am getting the best coaching and support so that I can pass my professional exams and obtain an invaluable qualification as a chartered accountant. Here’s to the future! 

Interested in a career in Tax? Apply now to our Tax Graduate Programme with positions available in both Dublin and Galway: www.deloitte.ie/students. What impact will you make?

Irish Tax Institute