SVS tax intern Review

I enjoyed my time in tax and the St. Albans office. Given that it is a small office it was easy to get to know everyone. I also got to experience work in indirect and corporate tax in addition to global employer services providing greater variety in the type of work you're involved with.

Staff take time to explain concepts to you and answer any questions you have about the work. I was also encouraged to attend meetings for projects I was not directly involved with and given responsibility for assisting with ongoing client work.

I was taught how to use software that I required before I was given tasks using it and everyone was happy to answer any questions that I had.

Mixed. Corporate tax was less busy because August is their quiet season, but in global employer services I was continually given work

I was given responsibility for work such as completing client tax returns and drafting emails to clients while in global employer services. In corporate tax much of the work was more for internal use (eg research tasks) so perhaps involved less responsibility.

The placement taught me to manage my time effectively and taught me written communication and analytical skills that will be invaluable when completing the final year of my degree. Although tax is not directly related to my degree subject the placement has also given me a wider appreciation of issues in tax.

The office had a strong community feel. St. Albans was a smaller office and so you get to know the rest of your team well. However the office could sometimes be quite empty (particularly in global employer services) because a lot of the work is based in the London office and colleagues spent time working in both places.

The placement could have been better organised. While the first 3 weeks were well supported my manager and buddy were out of the office for the final 3 weeks meaning I did not have any review meetings afterwards. I should also have had an interview organised by HR on the final day, but was unable to organise this because the office's HR contact went on annual leave for a month while I was there.

Deloitte invested heavily in you and organise an induction event to teach you the basics of the firm. Staff also are happy to spend time teaching you how to use any software you use while the placement. I was particularly impressed after client meetings when colleagues would spend time talking you through any technical terminology you were unsure about.

Deloitte provide excellent prospects for graduates and a high proportion of students who complete the internship programme go on to secure graduate jobs with the firm.

There was little social scene amongst placement students since there were only 4 in the office, and the length of placements varied. However there were regular team meals and evening socials.

I lived at home for the placement so incurred no costs. However being in St. Albans costs are not as cheap as they may be around other Deloitte offices in the regions.

There is not much nightlife in St. Albans.

Deloitte has a wide range of community groups for people to get involved with, although there weren't any community / charity activities like there sometimes are on other internship programmes.