“Working in tax as a Chartered Tax Adviser (CTA) is like solving a puzzle – scope it, then solve it. But solve it in a way that’s innovative and creative. It’s a puzzle that’s the perfect blend of numbers and strategy. Tax is based on legislation, so coming up with the solution means investigating the rules in legislation and putting together strategic tax advice that makes a real financial impact”.
About the Irish Tax Institute
Located in the heart of Dublin's Silicon Docks, the Chartered Tax Adviser (CTA) qualification is the gold standard in tax and the international mark of excellence in tax advice. With over 5,000 members in Ireland, along with the Chartered Institute of Taxation UK and The Tax Institute of Australia, we are part of the 30,000-strong international CTA network and a member of the Confédération Fiscale Européenne, (CFE) the European umbrella body for tax professionals.
We offer three tax qualifications - one-year Tax Technician courses, our 10 month Diploma in Tax and our three-part Chartered Tax Adviser (CTA).
Have you ever considered a career in tax as a Chartered Tax Adviser (CTA)?
A career in tax creates opportunities. The opportunity for challenging and diverse work. The opportunity to see the world. The opportunity to work on the most cutting edge commercial transactions.
Tax is part of the international language of finance, and the Chartered Tax Adviser (CTA) qualification is the international hallmark of excellence in tax. You could be part of a group of 30,000 CTAs working all over the globe from Ireland, to the UK, USA, Asia to Australia.
A common misconception is that only business graduates pursue a career in tax. Not so! The great thing about a career in tax is that it is more about the qualities that you bring to the career, rather than your educational background. Skills such as creative thinking, analytical know-how and commercial awareness are so important.
In addition to business and law graduates, those with an engineering, science and the humanities background also successfully pursue careers in tax. Go to www.careerintax.ie and see the variety of roles, sectors and backgrounds that Chartered Tax Advisers (CTA) work in or find our Irish Tax Institute Students page on Facebook.
Contact us
For further information on our courses and on a career in tax, you can visit www.careerintax.ie or call 01 663 1700.
Caroline Austin works as a Senior Associate Solicitor with Matheson. Her role involves advising on tax planning and corporate restructuring at a national and international level. Caroline studied law at Trinity College Dublin and is a qualified solicitor and a Chartered Tax Adviser (CTA).
Hi, Ask me a question...
What were the main 'career decision' milestones in your life so far?
Overall my law degree equipped me with the fundamental skills that I now use on a day to day basis in my role as a Senior Associate Solicitor and these skills are transferable into many different career paths, so it was a good undergraduate degree choice. Also qualifying as a Chartered Tax Adviser (CTA) has been essential in equipping me with the necessary skills to meet the needs of my clients and to help me to succeed in my career.
How did you go about getting your current job?
After I passed all of the eight FE1s (solicitor exams) and received a first class honours in my Masters, the next step was to apply for a traineeship. I applied to a number of graduate programmes and was delighted to be accepted by Matheson for a traineeship. I was extremely impressed by the broad range of practice areas offered by Matheson, which include a dedicated International Tax group and its dedication to its training programme.
Describe a typical day?
No two days are the same! Matheson’s Tax department is involved in many types of complex transactions, working with international clients to add value to their businesses and as tax law is continually evolving, I am always learning and I am fortunate to be part of a team that encourages me to keep progressing to be the best I can be.
What are the main tasks and responsibilities?
I advise on cross border tax planning and international corporate restructurings as well as mergers and acquisitions on an international and national level.
What are the main challenges?
It was certainly a challenge to balance studying for a professional qualification and work full time, however, the Chartered Tax Adviser (CTA) programme offered by the Irish Tax Institute caters for this challenge by providing weekend lectures and electronic access to materials. In particular, the professional skills workshop offered the opportunity to discuss and solve real-life tax problems that I could then apply in my day to day work.
What do you like most?
Tax advice is always relevant to companies, whether they are restructuring in a downturn or growing and diversifying in times of expansion. It is an exciting, dynamic and deadline-driven environment that requires you as an adviser to stay up to date on the latest developments. The Chartered Tax Adviser (CTA) qualification has been essential in equipping me with the necessary skills to meet the needs of my clients and to help me to succeed in my career.
Is there anything that isn't great?
It was a challenge to balance studying and working at times, but I managed very well as the Irish Tax Institute really supports you through the qualification by offering a flexible study and learning approach that makes work life balance very manageable.
What particular skills do you bring to your workplace?
Each year as I progressed through the Chartered Tax Adviser (CTA) qualification, I was able to put the knowledge I had gained to practical application in my role in the tax department. In particular, the business tax modules were extremely relevant to my day to day work in Matheson. Even while studying, I felt I was making a positive contribution to the work of the tax department.
What subjects did you take in school and how have these influenced your career path?
When I was choosing a college course, I knew that I had an interest in law and that a law degree would provide me with a wide range of career opportunities in numerous different fields.
What is your education to date?
I have a Bachelor of Law degree from Trinity College Dublin, and a Masters in Commercial Law from UCD. I am also a qualified Solicitor, and an AITI Chartered Tax Adviser (CTA).
What aspects of your education have proven most important for your job?
The solicitor trainee programme is a two-year programme involving attendance at the PPCI and PPCII courses at the Law Society and working in a number of different departments in Matheson. I spent one of my trainee rotations in the Matheson Tax department, which is by far the largest tax group amongst Irish law firms.
During the course of this rotation, I worked side by side with partners and solicitors in the department as a member of the team and gained invaluable insight on the day-to-day work carried out in the tax department. Having already studied tax law in college and completed my trainee rotation in Matheson’s tax department, I was able to use this knowledge as grounding for the AITI Chartered Tax Adviser (CTA) exams.
What have been the most rewarding events in your career so far?
My hard work and effort paid off, and I was placed joint third in Part 3 of the AITI Chartered Tax Adviser (CTA) exams.
What personal qualities do you have that helps you in your career?
I enjoy working with people, and being part of a team. Also, I like constantly learning, and the fact that tax law is always changing means that I really am always learning!
Does your job allow you to have a lifestyle you are happy with?
Yes, thankfully I can maintain a good work life balance, where my hard work is rewarded.
What advice would you give to someone considering this job?
A common misconception about a career in tax is that it is just about numbers, however, tax law has a strong basis in legislation and case law. Therefore, it is really suitable for graduates from a legal background, or for qualified solicitors and barristers.
What are the three most important personal characteristics required for the job?
Enjoying working as part of a team, enjoying learning on a daily basis and having the stamina to work in a fast paced environment.
Have you undertaken, or do you plan to undertake any further training as part of your job?
In my first year as a qualified solicitor, I started my studies for the AITI Chartered Tax Adviser (CTA) qualification with the Irish Tax Institute. Both in Matheson tax department and the tax industry as a whole, the AITI Chartered Tax Adviser (CTA) qualification is considered an essential qualification to obtain and I knew it would provide me with a further opportunity to enhance my knowledge and skills.
What kinds of work experience would provide a good background for this position?
It would be beneficial to spend time in a firm as part of a summer internship programme, or as part of a co-op year.