1. [Insert name and title and firm]
A Career in Tax
[Insert name and title and firm]

2. Who would want to work in tax?
Chartered Tax Adviser
Taxation Technician
Technical specialist
International tax
Corporation tax
Tax supervisor
Investigation
Tax Director
VAT

3. Who would want to work in tax?
The tax profession is full of the most charming, eloquent, intelligent & modest people you could wish to meet!
[INSERT PICTURE OF THE MEMBER VOLUNTEER(S) GIVING THIS PRESENTATION]
Tax Adviser
Taxation Technician
Technical specialist
International tax
Corporation tax
Tax supervisor
Investigation
Tax Director
VAT
Perhaps have the volunteers talk about how they found out about tax

4. My Career
[if desired, presenter to insert background or speak to the following points:]
My first job
My first tax job
My current role(s)
My qualifications (tax, accountancy, other and academic)
My current and former clients (where and if relevant)
My “thing(s) I wish I knew then that I know now” nugget for you to share

5. What is it about tax? ww.taxguideforstudents.org.uk
The tax industry is an incredibly stable profession, regardless of boom or bust, depression, recession or growth.
People often joke about death and taxes being the only thing you can count on in life!
After all, regardless of the economic climate – the government still collects taxes.
The UK has the most complex tax system in the world.
Guide just for students!
ww.taxguideforstudents.org.uk

6. Tax and Society
Tax is collected from every person or organisation which receives or buys something of value. For example: salary, business revenue, fuel, inheritance, home, etc.
The tax collected is then used by the Government to pay for a wide variety of public services.
The Personal Finance Education Group has a website you can visit for more information and to better understand tax:

7. What kind of taxes
Income tax: a tax on your personal income (which includes wages, pensions and interest on savings), above a certain amount.
Corporate Tax: paid by companies on their revenue
Council Tax: helps pay for local services like policing and rubbish collection. It is based on the value or size of the home you live in, whether owned or rented.
Value Added Tax (VAT): when you buy goods and services and is normally included in the price. VAT is not payable on some things.
Excise Duties: these include car tax, and tax on alcohol and tobacco.
People also pay National Insurance Contributions. This is the money employees pay to be entitled to state benefits such as Jobseekers’ Allowance, Incapacity Benefit and the State Pension.

8. In’s and Out’s of tax in the UK
There are many types of tax that contribute to the UK Government budget. They include:
Income Tax A personal tax on your personal income, above a certain amount. That income usually includes wages, pensions and interest on savings.
Corporation Tax Paid by companies on their profits.
Excise Duties There are various excise duties – they include Car Tax and tax on goods such as alcohol and tobacco.
Value Added Tax (VAT) You pay VAT when you buy goods and services in the European Union (EU), including the UK. It's normally included in the price of the goods or service you buy. VAT is not payable on some things.
Council Tax Helps pay for local services like policing and rubbish collection. It’s a tax on the value or size of the home you live in whether owned or rented.
People also pay National Insurance contributions. This is the money you pay to build up your entitlement to state benefits such as Jobseekers’ Allowance, Incapacity Benefit and the State Pension.
Source: Guardian infographics

9. Why do we need tax jobs?
Politicians in Parliament decide on the taxes and pass them into law (Finance Bill is decided every year)
Someone has to take the law and decide how much tax people should pay (HMRC)
HM Revenue & Customs oversee the administration and collection of taxes
Some people need help calculating how much tax to pay
Organisations need to calculate their own tax and understand the tax consequences of their actions

10. Benefits of a Career in Tax
Fast changing industry – tax law is updated every year means that working in taxes offers a highly stable, secure and high paying career option
Everyone is subject to taxes – individuals and businesses all require advice and support from tax professionals
UK tax is only relevant to UK tax payers which means there will be jobs in the UK
Increasingly culturally diverse population of tax professionals who are entering the field and climbing their own ladder of success.

11. Some Employers
Business and Industry
Professional Services
Government

12. Will I like working in tax?
Are you?
Detail oriented? Is everything in your life organised? Are you methodical? Do you enjoy order and process? Are you a good record keeper?
Or are you?
Creative and strategic? Do you like to find new ways to do things? Do you enjoy games like chess or Risk? Do you enjoy story problems in school? Do you enjoy creating and executing strategy and achieving success?
Team builder? Do you help others to achieve things together? Do you enjoy coordinating and leading? Do you interact well with all types of people?

13. What qualities do tax professionals need?
Numerate but not math geeks
Entrepreneurial- lateral thinking / problem solving
Empathy– you are dealing with other people’s taxes and finances so need to understand them and their issues
Literate – able to write reasonably well
Presentable
Reliable
Ability to convey complex information in a simple manner suitable for the client
Able to use IT and office systems
Motivated to do well
Salary - High salaries with just a few years experience
Job satisfaction – never being bored, thanks to creative, challenging and dynamic work environment
Travel – a great deal of job flexibility, allowing you to find work across the country, in different sectors of the economy, and even abroad in other countries
Responsibility – exposure to major business decisions of your employer and your clients, since tax is such a critical component of any organisation and for many individuals

14. What would I actually do?
A tax trainee typically starts out with training to do basic duties such as entering client information into a tax preparation software program. Then, under supervision, progress on to:
Preparation of tax accounting calculations
Analysis of data
Carry out tax research and summarise findings
Meet clients as part of the tax team
Learning about corporation tax and helping businesses comply
Learn about PAYE and draft PAYE advice
Respond to HMRC correspondence and assisting with enquiries
Preparation of tax notes for accounts and reporting
Respond to queries from finance functions and auditors
Study for professional qualifications (ATT, CTA or others)

15. The Rewards - What can a job in tax offer me?
Intellectual stimulation – never being bored!
Early responsibility
Job satisfaction
A key role in the financial world
Excellent remuneration and prospects
Travel
Involvement with people
The flexibility to work in a variety of different environments

16. How much can I earn in tax?
In-House - London
Role
From
Average To
Head of Tax
110k
180k
250k
Group Tax Manager/Senior Manager
80k
100k
125k
International Tax Manager
70k
UK Tax Manager
60k
85k
Tax Accountant
45k
50k
58k
Practice - London
Role
From
Average To
Director / Partner
110k+
Senior Manager
70k
89k
105k
Manager (5-7 years)
50k
60k
Newly Qualified (3-4 years)
35k
45k
55k
Part Qualified (0-2 years)
24k
28k
*PQE – Post-qualified experience

17. Myth busting Reality Myth 1
I will have to work with numbers all day.
Reality
Problem solving, interacting with people, communication and understanding business is the most important. Working with numbers can be a small part of the job.

18. Myth busting Reality Myth 2
I will have to work long hours during tax season.
Reality
Yes, but they are predictable and you can schedule your holidays and other commitments around them.

19. Myth busting Reality Myth 3
Tax changes all the time.
Reality
True but that is what makes it interesting. Most of the tax laws remain the same so when you have a good foundation in tax – changes keep it interesting.

20. Myth busting Reality Myth 4
I will have to work with auditors and other people who don’t understand tax.
Reality
In tax there is a lot of room for error and mistakes are costly. Your work will be reviewed by numerous people which is a regular part of the job. This is why communication skills are also important.

21. Myth busting Reality Myth 5
You have to spend time and money to become a qualified tax professional.
Reality
There is no question that a prestigious profession takes time, money and work. However if you want to greatly expand your job opportunities and earn money – it’s worth it.

22. Myth busting Reality Myth 6
It takes too long to qualify as a tax professional.
Reality
Actually, in as little as two years, working part-time or full-time in a tax role, and passing five exams, you can then become a Tax Technician and member of the Association of Taxation Technicians (ATT).

23. Why a professional qualification?
Badge of quality
Professional esteem and status
Gain the knowledge, skills and ability faster than just working and learning on the job
Better job prospects – improve your employability
Ethics - Code of ethics is assumed if you belong to a professional body – fundamental principles:
Integrity
Objectivity
Professional competence and due care
Confidentiality
Professional behaviour

24. What is the role of a professional body?
Protection of the public
Interaction with other professional bodies
Discipline
Badge of quality
Input into policy and operational implementation
Acting as the voice of the profession
Leading the debate
Helping to ensure the right amount of tax is paid
Support for members
Standards
Practical guidance and advice
Access to resources
Professional
Body
Providing networking opportunities

25. The only UK professional tax bodies
Reminder of who the ATT/CIOT are
Association of Taxation Technicians (ATT)
The leading professional body for qualified taxation technicians who provide UK tax compliance services and related activities
The leading professional body concerned solely with taxation. Members have the practicing title of ‘Chartered Tax Adviser’

26. Entry Requirements
To be eligible to register as a student you must be at least 16 years old with a reasonable standard of English and Mathematics
To be eligible to register as a student, you must hold a previous professional qualification (ATT is one of several choices)

27. How it works
ATT Papers 1 and 2 are compulsory. Law and Ethics are compulsory. Chose one paper from 3-6.

28. Want to know more? For more information go to:
Facebook.com/ourATT
Twitter.com/ourATT
Twitter.com/CIOTnews
For more information go to: