I joined Buzzacott in 2015 as a Tax Trainee within the Expatriate Tax Services team. I was invited to take online assessments and attended a first stage interview with a manager and member of HR. Following my second stage interview with a partner I was offered the role.

Why did you choose Buzzacott?

My recruitment experience really sold Buzzacott to me. I found the manager and partner who interviewed me very approachable and could really see myself working with them. I like that Buzzacott has such a strong reputation for promoting from within so I know that there are opportunities to develop. We also have a very active social committee!

Why did you choose a job in tax?

I enjoy that there are definitive rules within tax and that I can use both my practical and technical skills on a daily basis. There is such a wide variety of tasks within tax so no day is ever the same. There is more to my role than just UK and US tax returns, so I have never felt that I have specialised too early on. Studying towards the ATT while working full-time allows me to put my skills into practice and really understand the sector.

What are your main duties?

• Preparation of US and UK tax returns
• Providing advice and answering client queries
• Managing a portfolio of clients.

What are the most stressful parts of the role?

Expatriate tax is very deadline-oriented which can be a challenge. We have numerous deadlines throughout the year. January especially is very busy but we manage as a team!

Which skills are useful in this profession?

There is quite a lot to take in initially, so being a quick learner really helps. I studied a very different type of degree to my chosen career, so getting used to a new way of thinking also required me to be adaptable.

What challenges have you come across and how did you overcome these?

Studying towards the ATT while working full-time is a challenge as both can be very demanding on your time. I find that having good time management and being strict with my time allows me to create a nice balance.

Do you have any advice for anyone wanting to get into the industry?

Don’t be scared of the stereotypes! Expatriate tax is not as boring as it sounds; people are surprised at how much I am enjoying my role.