UK Government - With more than 58,500 employees, nearly £540 billion revenue, and around 45 million customers, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is a major government department with serious responsibilities.

POSITION: HMRC Graduate Programme (Tax Professional)

Location: UK
 Slot: 200

Tax Professional Role

• Tax is a complex business offering a varied and stimulating range of career pathways and opportunities to specialise - for example, in international and corporation tax, investigation, fraud, tax policy or as a manager, technical specialist or consultant. Eventually you will find your own niche, but along the way you will learn how to resolve tax disputes, lead teams, deal with senior business figures and allied professionals (eg lawyers and accountants) and how to tackle complex tax work.

The Tax Specialist Programme is particularly suitable for people who are enthusiastic about:

• Dealing with people
• Tackling complex issues
• Using their intellect and solving problems
• Investigating and finding out how businesses function
• Analysing and interpreting information
• Persuasive communication: influencing, negotiating and challenging

Roles are as diverse as HMRC’s work - you could find yourself:

• Making ‘site’ visits and interviewing directors, their lawyers and accountants
• Negotiating settlements and resolving tax disputes
• Representing HMRC at Appeal Tribunals
• Investigating fraud
• Working as a consultant, offering specialist advice to teams across the business
• Leading your own teams of tax professionals
• Considering and agreeing the application of tax statute and case law
• Taking responsibility for managing the relationship between HMRC and key businesses and their advisers

The programme is designed to give you a broad insight into the range of the tax work HMRC undertakes. It’s the perfect foundation for a wide-ranging career, and offers the opportunity to find your way as you develop. HMRC will encourage and support you in exploring and developing your own particular skills and knowledge.

What is HMRC looking for?

• For Tax Specialist Programme you must have a 2:2 degree at application stage or the expectation of a 2:2 degree before September 2017.

We’re looking for people who demonstrate enthusiasm, and are:

• Independent thinkers who can confidently express their views and make decisions
• Strong analytical thinkers and problem solvers who can work out what needs to be done and take pride in doing it to completion
• Committed, with determination and resilience, to complete an intensive 3-year training programme
• Team players who can also exercise their initiative
• Adaptable to shifts in business focus and the needs of HMRC’s customers, so people they deal with have no doubt about their integrity and professionalism, because everything HMRC does must be above suspicion and comply with the Civil Service Code.

All civil servants are appointed on merit through fair and open competition. The selection process will consider your attitude, capability, talent and willingness to learn. If appointed you will be and are expected to carry out your role with dedication and a commitment to the Civil Service and its core values: integrity, honesty, objectivity and impartiality.

Training

• This is an intensive 3-year programme designed to equip you with both technical (tax) knowledge and the professional skills you will need to apply that knowledge when dealing with your customers.
• Stage 1 provides you with a broad foundation of knowledge and skills across different areas of tax.
• Stage 2 deepens your tax knowledge and also builds your broader professional skills and other competences that HMRC needs from its future tax professional leaders. During this time, you will be working towards gaining an externally accredited qualification.
• Throughout, you will be working with and learning from an experienced team, and your responsibility will increase in line with your knowledge and confidence. Before you know it, you’ll be carrying out interviews and site visits, and perhaps even leading a team.
• Your programme will include:
  • Practical work experience in teams, on live assignments
  • Self-study modules
  • Tutor-led sessions at one of our training centres
  • Ongoing exams and practical work assessments designed to build up your knowledge of tax law and practice
  • Regular reviews and appraisals
• The programme has a modular structure, each one commonly lasting around 2 or 3 months. You will have to demonstrate your application of acquired knowledge and skills in the workplace and there is often a formal exam at the completion of a module. Your manager will also monitor and assess your performance throughout.
• On successful completion of the programme, you will be promoted to a Grade 7 post as a senior tax professional. You might take on a technical/investigative role, a customer relationship manager role or be involved in formulating tax policy. Wherever you find yourself, you will be equipped with the knowledge and skills essential to deal with anything from international issues or large companies to fraud, policy development or managing cases.

Locations
2016 Tax Specialist Programme locations will be as follows:

• Belfast
• Birmingham
• Bristol
• Cardiff
• Edinburgh
• Glasgow
• Leeds
• Liverpool
• London (Greater)
• London (Central)
• Manchester
• Newcastle
• Nottingham

Eligibility and Selection Process
Eligibility:

• For Tax Specialist Programme you must have a 2:2 degree at application stage or the expectation of a 2:2 degree at September 2017.
• There are different eligibility criteria for applicants already working in HMRC or the Civil Service. Details are on the application form.

Nationality and immigration:

• The HMRC Tax Specialist Programme is open to applicants who are:
  • European Economic Area (EEA) nationals, including British citizens
  • Commonwealth citizens
  • Swiss nationals
  • In some circumstances, Turkish nationals
• To apply for the Tax Specialist Programme you must already have the right to live and work in the UK throughout the period of the scheme. If your right to live and work in the UK will expire before the end of the end of the 3 year training programme you will not be eligible to apply. HMRC does not offer sponsorship to enable employment in the UK.

Salary

• National £27,045 London £29,256