Making the right start to your career is key. My priority was to choose a graduate programme that would equip me with a strong foundation in skills and knowledge. At the same time, I wanted to be in a nurturing and supportive environment so I could reach out if I needed to. HMRC provides both these things, which is why it’s the organisation for me.
I’m on HMRC’s Tax Specialist Programme. The course gives a clear structure of your progress and includes different tax areas, such as VAT and Corporation Tax.
It’s intensive, but help is always available. My colleagues are friendly and supportive and that's something you’ll find at all levels in HMRC, from senior managers to trainees. I also like that it’s a diverse workplace where people can bring their whole selves to work.
Everyday is different. I could be attending meetings, e-learning, or tackling casework or I might be analysing records, creating spreadsheets or contributing to reports.
My colleagues are friendly and supportive and that's something you’ll find at all levels in HMRC, from senior managers to trainees. I also like that it’s a diverse workplace where people can bring their whole selves to work.
You’ll be a good fit for this program if you’re resilient and comfortable with detail.
I’ve found the biggest challenges are:
- managing your time effectively - learning to juggle studying and training
- getting used to HMRC’s ways of working
- keeping on top of all the new skills you’ll learn.
What I enjoy most is the level of responsibility. As a trainee, I’m trusted to work on live cases. And I like a good mix of collaborative and individual work which is exactly what I get in my role.
If you’re unsure about the best place to start your career, I recommend HMRC’s Tax Specialist Programme. It'll give you a good overview of different taxes which may spark your interest to specialise further. If you currently don't have tax experience or if you’re looking for something less intensive than the graduate scheme, you may prefer an HMRC tax internship.
Whatever route you choose, you won’t learn new skills overnight. So it’s important you’re patient with the process. But the opportunities, as I’m discovering, are huge.