Solicitor doing AITI

dockleaf

I am wondering about routes into a career in Tax. I was thinking about starting the CTA/AITI exams.

Alternatively I was thinking about doing a diploma in probate and applying to become a STEP practitioner.

Would firms take on a solicitor in their forties as a tax trainee or would it be best to do some of the exams first.

When you are not a trained accountant and have very little background in accountancy is there any prospect of a career in tax?

dogsears

dockleaf wrote: »

I am wondering about routes into a career in Tax. I was thinking about starting the CTA/AITI exams.

Alternatively I was thinking about doing a diploma in probate and applying to become a STEP practitioner.

Would firms take on a solicitor in their forties as a tax trainee or would it be best to do some of the exams first.

When you are not a trained accountant and have very little background in accountancy is there any prospect of a career in tax?

While a background in accountancy is useful, tax is fundamentally a law subject. Many of the routes in are through accounting especially for people who do the accounting exams and then specialise in tax - its a relatively straightforward route because often they can specialise within the same firm. But its by no means the best qualification to have. To my mind, having worked in tax consulting for a long time and having recruited many, many people, the best hires have been those qualified in law. (Many accounting qualified hires have been great too, but looked at overall I would say a legal training gives you a better mindset for tax consulting work.)

I would say you should sign up for and get going on the exams. If you can, do this in advance of seeking any tax trainee positions because it shows you aren't just drifting around looking for any kind of law related work - you're actually committing to taxation.

Obviously be prepared for challenges around your age. You know this already. Its definitely a significant factor and, being honest, many firms won't be able to see past that when they get your CV. When they take someone on it involves an investment that takes time to recoup. However there are advantages - an older person is less likely flit around from job to job, is usually in a more stable living situation i.e. not easily going to up sticks and move city or country, or to follow a new love to wherever they go etc, is likely to be able to communicate gravitas from day 1 etc so you should be able to make a good case, if you can get in the door.

Best of luck!

dockleaf

Thanks for that advice. I'm not actually in 'need of employment', I've been employed in law for over 20 years! And currently employed also but I hope to start Part 1 in April ( but I think I might go for the STEP membership too), I've always liked tax, obviously given my background I've been mainly dealing in CAT & CGT. Is there a particular time of year that the trainee positions come up or not?

CIARAN_BOYLE

dockleaf wrote: »

Thanks for that advice. I'm not actually in 'need of employment', I've been employed in law for over 20 years! And currently employed also but I hope to start Part 1 in April ( but I think I might go for the STEP membership too), I've always liked tax, obviously given my background I've been mainly dealing in CAT & CGT. Is there a particular time of year that the trainee positions come up or not?

Trainee positions would be advertised in November for the falling September but I would recommend given your experience in law that you would find a better job than a trainee coming with mainly graduates. Not sure how to go about it but there has to be a better way into the industry.

dockleaf

Thanks Ciaran, the jobs I see advertised are mainly either trainees, seniors or managers, not sure where else I would fit in.

CIARAN_BOYLE

dockleaf wrote: »

Thanks Ciaran, the jobs I see advertised are mainly either trainees, seniors or managers, not sure where else I would fit in.

I had a quick job search for "tax solicitor" and saw a few roles advertising for people with both legal and tax qualifications, of the three I looked at starting salary was 50-80k. Only thing is I am not certain if you need tax experience before becoming aiti qualified. I don't think you do.

dockleaf

No, a law degree is sufficient for entry to AITI/CTA, in fact you can get an exemption from some subjects.

What would be the most employable area of tax? I ask this as I don't live in Dublin where most employment exists!

ChartAccount

Hey, does anyone have Part 2 AITI grinds notes by any chance or know anyone with them? Thanks

Mr. Incognito

Hi there,

I'm a litigation solicitor who trained in tax.

I did an undergrad in Law- trained in tax in a Big 4 and then qualified as a solicitor. I'm a bit of an anomoly.

You dont need to work in tax to do the tax exams, though it helps. If you want to work in pure tax you could simply join the tax department in a Big 4 as a solicitor and work thorugh the exams that way.

I am not an accountant. You can pick it up as tax is predominately about learing to read, interpret and apply legislation from source.

If you have any further questions and need a few pointers feel free to PM me.