Post qualified or part qualified? How working as an interim can help your career

Bridget Hougham – Associate Consultant specialising in recruiting junior to mid level candidates within commerce and industry and the profession

Bridget has recently joined the interim team specialising in recruiting junior to mid level candidates into temporary and contract roles with a corporation tax focus. As well as working with FTSE-listed companies, Bridget also works with SMEs within commerce and industry and mid tier accountancy firms across the profession. Below, she discusses the choices that tax professionals nearing the completion of their qualification have, and in particular, how an interim role could be one of the smartest moves for a tax professional.

More choice, more questions

With CTA exam results looming, I assist candidates like you to make the best career choices by giving specific advice based on your needs. There are many options available for you in 2011. These options bring up many questions, such as; whether to stay in practice or move into industry, how to structure a career to gain the most experience, what salary should be paid, which employers offer the best benefits and work-life balance… The list of questions candidates ask me goes on. I am here to give you personal advice. In addition, I am preparing a career options booklet for part qualified and newly qualified candidates in conjunction with other consultants at Pure which is aimed as a career reference point. Pure Taxation is also hosting a CTA graduate event in January 2011 which will include key speakers offering career advice from both industry and practice. If you are interested in any of these, contact me on 020 7429 4423.

‘How do I stand out from my peers?’

A question I get asked frequently is to do with gaining wider experience to become greatly sought-after in the market. For my candidates like you nearing completion of ATT, ACCA, ACA or CTA, I advise that temporary and contract roles can be a flexible way to gain experience working in-house and earn money whilst you continue with your studies. A temporary role can assist you to obtain relevant knowledge and experience within a tax department in a commercial environment or within a tax team at an accounting firm.  Short term roles will enable you to better understand and apply your theoretical knowledge, thus assisting with your studies.  

Working in a temporary or contract role can also be an excellent way for candidates to experience different working environments and can help to expand your skill set. It can assist you to decide which working environment (i.e. either in-house or practice) you are better suited to when making future career choices. Temporary and contract work can open doors for part-qualified and newly qualified candidates as 60-70% of the temporary roles that we place candidates into end up becoming permanent placements.

Next steps

The interim market is an exciting place to begin your career in tax and can often lead to longer term / permanent roles. As the market continues to improve and the number and variety of roles increase, candidates will have excellent opportunities to advance their careers by undertaking interim work.

To discuss your career, options and the market, please contact me directly on 020 7429 4423 or email bridgethougham@puretaxation.com