Student Accounting Query

Sinemo

I am a final year Accounting (&HR) student in NCI. We've had numerous accounting companies come in to talk to us about their individual graduate programs. The majority of them have told us that they are hiring few in the taxation department, and the few positions available are in auditing. I want to pursue a career in taxation.
So is it better to apply for the auditing positions (on the basis that it would be a paying job -but I will be tied down to it for at least 3 and a half years before I could apply to move to tax) or try to fund tax exams myself in the institute of taxation in the hopes that there will be a job afterwards...somewhere...

tywy

You can do the tax exams and the ACA exams whilst doing audit. That might put you in a position to move to tax more easily once your finished your 3.5yrs?

Sinemo

The 3.5 years refers to the ACA exams (with the big companies you sign a contract to stay with them to do their preferred exams)

I'm just wondering if its worthwhile doing the accounting exams if I know I want to do tax and can (in theory) just do the tax exams?

smallerthanyou

Have you considered doing the Masters in Accountancy. The Big 4 are hiring a good few now for 2011 Tax entry and would sponsor people on a Masters if they want to do one. Then you would work in the Tax department on a 3 year contract, sitting the Part 2s in your first year, FAEs in second year and part 3s in third year and leave with two qualifications.

But if tax is really your thing try and apply for the tax departments. One of the few accepted could be you!