If you've undertaken work experience or
a graduate program in a professional firm, you’ll know there’s a big difference
between life on campus and what’s required when you start work in the real
world. Here’s how to make the transition from student to a full-time tax
professional as easy and pain-free as possible.
What to expect
Your first job is an essential step in shaping your career
journey. Each new experience offers an opportunity to learn, build practical
skills, establish rapport with your team members and expand your knowledge of
taxation. So try to pick up as much as you can by asking questions and seeking
assistance as you need it. Your new colleagues will be much happier to help you
learn the right way from the outset than fix problems later.
Your role
In a graduate or entry-level role, you’ll most likely be given a
variety of tasks to perform. Depending on the organisation, this could range
from carrying out research to practical tasks like preparing tax returns and
business statements. In addition, there could be formal training, workplace
mentoring or coaching by senior staff, as well as opportunities to attend
client meetings and industry events. Use these experiences as an opportunity to
gain a firm grounding in best practice for preparing work, building
communication skills and understanding business etiquette and due diligence.
How to behave
In the early stages of a new job you’re continuing to prove your
worth to the company. Make sure you prepare your work carefully, adhere to
processes and ask questions if you’re not sure. Remember that the early stages
of your career are about learning to work as part of a team, so be flexible and
see your colleagues and your manager as people to assist in achieving a common
goal. Even if the work doesn't initially meet your expectations, your efforts will be rewarded and
you’ll quickly learn about the company’s clients and business, which will
hopefully lead to opportunities for progression. Don't forget that networking is an important part of a career. Read more about the do's and don'ts of networking as a graduate.
Client management – learn from others
When you have the chance to attend meetings, use these experiences
to learn from your colleagues. Observe how they explain issues to clients, manage
expectations, set clients at ease and solve problems.
Keep studying and stay up to date
A solid technical base and knowledge of tax law will help you
progress your career and distinguish you from others in your field. Formal
training programs offered by The Tax Institute and other professional bodies, combined
with on-the-job training are invaluable to young professionals. It’s also
important to keep up with developments in the sector – tax is a specialised
area and one that’s often subject to changes in law and practice, so continuous
reading is required to stay up to date.
Making a successful transition from university life to the
workplace is all about being prepared, taking the time to understand the
experiences of others in the industry, getting to know more about the
organisation and treating each opportunity and task as one to learn from.
Looking for that competitive edge? Look
into completing The Tax Institute’s Programs, Single Subjects or Short-Courses.
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