I found the summer internship route to be a really beneficial milestone. It gave me the opportunity to see what a role in tax involved on a day to day basis. I was therefore able to make more of an informed decision about my future career. I also went back to my final year in college with more direction and focus as I knew what I wanted to do.
During the internship I found corporation tax to be a diverse, challenging and interesting area to work in. I discovered the wide ranging impact tax can have on businesses and the decisions they take and found this appealing. I also found that there was the potential for constant learning due to the ever changing nature of tax legislation. I knew if there was always something to learn I would be kept interested.

I began to think a career in tax would suit me so I decided to apply for a summer internship. I attended a talk about Deloitte in UCD and I was struck with the enthusiasm the speakers had for their jobs so I applied for an internship there. Both the application and interview processes were handled smoothly and professionally.

While the interviews for the professional services firms can be quite competitive, I really felt that every effort was made to make my interview less daunting, the staff in Deloitte really put me at ease. I have since discovered that this friendliness and helpful attitude exists throughout Deloitte.

Apart from managing the compliance work for my clients, my day also generally involves some ad-hoc work such as assisting with a project, proposal or piece of advice. This work is normally undertaken as part of a team with a partner, director, manager and trainees. Most businesses differ therefore the tax advice we prepare for these businesses differs. This ensures that every day brings a new challenge and a new learning experience.

Before joining Deloitte I did wonder if I would spend my days photocopying and filing however, I have found that even as a trainee I have been given plenty of responsibility. There is no shortage of interesting work to get involved in and there is excellent support with someone always available to answer any queries or concerns I have.

I am responsible for the corporation tax compliance for a portfolio of clients.

There can be challenges for example where a client asks for something immediately and the manager/partner on the client is not in the office. However, I have found that working as part of a large corporate tax group there is always someone willing and available to assist with any problems I have.

There is no shortage of interesting work to get involved in and there is excellent support with someone always available to answer any queries or concerns I have. I also really like the atmosphere of a large firm.

Occasionally there can be an important deadline to meet that requires extra hours in the office but this is the exception rather than the norm.

Working as part of a team, and being well organised are really important. There really is great camaraderie in the office. Working as part of a large tax team is appealing too. I get to work on teams with some of the top tax minds and this provides endless learning opportunities.

Studying a broad degree like I did meant that there were lots of different options available once I finished college. I wasn’t too sure what I wanted to do until I took a Revenue Law lecture. Studying Revenue Law, I found that tax had a good mixture of both business and law and therefore it appealed to me.

I completed a Business and Law Degree at UCD and a Masters of Accounting at UCD Smurfit.

My college degree offered me the skills to work in tax. The law aspect of my degree equipped me with the ability to read and interpret legislation – a key skill in tax, and also developed an analytical and questioning mind which allows me to think about solutions to problems clients have.

While I often complained about the level of group projects we undertook in the Quinn Business School in UCD, I have found the team work skills I learned to be an asset in working in a large corporate tax group where teamwork is part of my daily job.

Seeing the impact good tax advice can have on clients really encourages me. I like that tax legislation is always changing as it ensures I never get bored. It keeps me interested in my job.

Personally, I found that my own personal qualities benefitted greatly from the Professional Skills Workshops I attend as part of the Chartered Tax Adviser (CTA) qualification. They are based on a real-life scenario whereby we have to apply tax knowledge to answer a client’s concerns. This skill is invaluable for my day to day job. My research skills and business writing skills were also enhanced through this process.

I have found that it is so important to balance my job, my study and my personal life. Deloitte encourage a healthy work life balance and I have realised this is important to me doing a good job at work. I find that by taking part in events and activities I am much more productive in work, efficient and attentive in my study and happier in general.

I would advise any college student considering a career in tax to undertake a summer internship or placement in a firm offering tax services. I found this an excellent way to understand what a job in tax would actually involve. Researching careers in tax online also shows the endless and exciting opportunities that a tax qualification can offer. I have found the more I have learned about tax, the more I understand how varied roles in tax can be.

Enjoying your work, being motivated and organised!

I decided to pursue the Chartered Tax Adviser (CTA) qualification on joining Deloitte. I had undertaken some lectures with the Irish Tax Institute as part of my Masters in Smurfit and found them to be extremely well organised and professional. I knew that I would have excellent support pursuing my tax qualification.
Deloitte have really supported me in pursuing the CTA qualification. They offered me paid study leave for my exams and in house training sessions which made the experience of sitting my first set of exams as stress free as possible.

Definitely a summer internship or placement in a firm offering tax services.

I am a tax manager and work for Deloitte.