Tax Intern - Private Client Advisory Review

It was a really enjoyable experience. The Private Client Tax team in Leeds are all really nice. They almost didn't feel like colleagues (in the sense that I expected at a Big 4 accounting firm maybe), in that they were all very laid back and, while everyone works hard, there would always be casual conversations and laughter going on in the team. I also made friends with members of another department as a result of hot desking (PC Tax share a room with Pensions). Every effort was made to make sure that I had something to do, even during the quieter periods. My buddy (Ed) was a huge help, introducing me to the team at the start, more than happy to answer any questions I had and always looking out for me to make sure that I wasn't twiddling my thumbs. Colleagues were forever asking me (and the others) if we wanted a drink (the free coffee/tea machine was about 5 steps away!!) and there'd always be people going for lunch together. If you do an internship in PC Tax in Leeds (or at KPMG in general), my biggest piece of advice would be to try to talk to everyone and take advantage of the hot desking, as I haven't met a single person at KPMG so far that I wouldn't happily go for a beer with.

It's hard for the team to make you feel like an experienced, valuable member of the team as you just don't have the training or experience to work on the sorts of projects they are. However every effort was made to overcome this. I was taken into a few calls with clients (or their advisors) so that I could experience client interactions, while care was always taken to explain to me afterwards why certain decisions were made, or the thought process behind some of the tax planning ideas. I wasn't just photocopying for four weeks (or at all), I got a lot of experience in writing 64-8s and engagement letters, making travel diaries (and using it to work out a client's residency status and the tax implications of it), comparing 15/16 cash statements and tax information against the client's 14/15 Tax Return, highlighting any information I believed was missing and much more. The work I was doing was later delivered to client's, so I definitely felt valued in the sense that I was contributing to the team and the final product they produced.

There was an incredible amount of support. The managers and senior members of the team were more than happy to answer any questions (whether work related or anything else..), try to find work for you if you had completed everything you'd been set and thoroughly explained anything new to you. But at the same time, I was given the chance to try to work out/overcome tasks and challenges for myself as well, which I was really happy about. Every intern I've asked to has spoken highly of their buddy, and I am no different. As mentioned above, my buddy Ed was a huge help, while everyone was very helpful if he wasn't around, whether an Associate or a Manager.

This one is hard to answer, as summer is the quiet period, especially with members going on holidays etc. There was a lull during my first week or so in the office while I was getting to know everyone and they were finding out what level of work I could handle/what they could trust me with. But you will get that wherever you go. There were days where I didn't have much to do (despite everyone's best efforts), but during that time the team suggested online training which may be of use, or I filled out the 'Development and Evidence' section of my passport. One day I got to do a rotation in Corporate Tax, so you weren't just forgotten about when the workload was low. There were also other times (mostly during the 2nd and 3rd week of my internship) when I was kept busy with work throughout the entire day, although it was never to the extent that it was overwhelming.

It'd be incredibly hard for PC to get above an 8 during this, as the tax laws are so complex that you really are limited to doing engagement letter, 64-8, tax return etc. type work. However, while the work I was given was clearly explained, and support was there if needed, as I said above I was also given the opportunity to figure out the best way to tackle tasks myself and the work I was doing was then being passed on to clients (although I am sure it would have been checked first for any errors).

I study Physics so it won't help with my degree. However I have gained solid experience in accounting, tax and generally in working at a firm like KPMG. The two days at the Tax Business School in London were very helpful for someone who has had 0 experience of accounting before, but there is only so much that you can learn in that amount of time, considering grads will spend 9 months at TBS before coming to the office. I now have a solid grasp of the more basic tax rules though, and could happily fill out engagement letters, 64-8s, check tax return information etc.

The general atmosphere was fantastic. Everyone was very positive, people were always happy to have a chat and everyone seemed to have a REALLY good work-life balance (it is highly recommended that you go eat your lunch in the canteen and take time away from your work). Everyone seemed honestly happy to work here and it doesn't matter whether you are a Manager, Director or Intern, everyone is friendly. I think that the hot desking system really helps with this, as I sat in a different seat every day and met so many different people (of different grades) through this. You are also given £3.20 allowance a day for lunch in the canteen. Considering a deli (customised) cold sandwich is £3.10, a Hot Market sandwich is £3.80 and a Hot Meal is £4.50, this is a huge bonus on top of the wage you get paid. The Jumpstart Fridays (where you get to leave early on Friday if you've already done your 35 hours for the week) is also a great idea. This office has been a fantastic place to work.

In general the internship was very well set up. The only negative two comments I would have to make are that I wasn't told (before I asked) that I needed to personally book travel to/from London to go to the TBS (Tax Business School), and that I was switched the day before arriving from Corporate Tax to Private Client, so it was a bit last minute for my team as well. Other than that, everything was really good. The induction was really well presented. It was very interactive, so while it went on for most of the day, it wasn't just a load of information being thrown at you. The time at TBS gave me an idea of what life there would be like and taught me the basic tax rules. It also gave me an opportunity to meet other tax interns from around the UK. The time in the office went really well, while there was also a Corporate Responsibility event (followed by bowling and drinks) which I really enjoyed. We gave an employability workshop to women in prison and youths at risk of offending, which I thought was a fantastic idea and I am really hoping to get involved in more CR events in the future. The interview was set up well in advance, and the recruitment team were very accommodating if you requested to switch locations/service line.

They provided the two days at TBS (along with some online training modules), which were helpful in learning the basics of tax. The CR day also helped a lot in terms of public speaking and presentation skills. My team also had a huge input in terms of explaining things to me and helping me to network with others in the firm (and build up the contacts on the LinkedIn I made just before I came!!)

The only reason I didn't select 10 is because I haven't had my final interview yet. However, having enjoyed my time here so much and got so involved I am hopeful that I will get an offer. The little things, from the lunch allowance to the friendliness of team members, really made this a hugely enjoyable experience. I am incredibly excited at the prospect of potentially joining the grad scheme and would readily accept any offer which I (hopefully) get. I have also heard from grads here, and at other big 4 firms, that KPMG offers the best training, has (if I recall correctly) the highest exam pass rate of any of the big 4 and offers huge potential for personal growth and career development.

The social scene was pretty good. The CR event and bowling were the only intern events organised (other than TBS) by recruitment, but I'm not sure it's fair to expect more. I set up a facebook chat with other Leeds interns and a couple of times a week we would go for drinks,

I go to uni in Leeds so lived in my student house. Leeds is a very good price compared to down south though. Beers are a good price, although are much better in Headingley/Hyde Park where I live than in the city centre. In the city centre they are probably standard Southern prices (although much cheaper than London!!!)

The nightlife in Leeds has been well documented, it is incredible.

Not really. There was the bowling event set up with interns, and I've been invited to drinks with my team on my final night. However there was no real opportunity to get involved in sports.