Tuesday 9 October 2012

A Loyal Reader Asks About The HMRC Graduate Scheme



A loyal reader, who is thinking of applying to the HMRC graduate scheme, posted this message on this site yesterday.

Given that it raises a series of good questions, and that it is asking for help and advice from other loyal readers, I have posted it again in full below in order to give it greater prominence.

Please help the reader by providing honest answers.

Thanks:
"Hi all

I am considering applying for the HMRC graduate scheme (yes i know I'm like the devil but someone has to do it!)

Im trying to obtain some advice and guidance as to whether HMRC is -
1) a good employer to work for in terms of guidance, training and support etc

2) Whether making a move to HMRC is a wise choice in terms of my career as I have heard once your in HMRC you're stuck!

3) What are the opportunities for progression past the grade 6/7 within HMRC (and would i want to go that far) or alternatively if I wanted to resign, would this be an easy step to take, and do i have to be at a certain level to be even considered for roles outside of HMRC.

Currently I am studying the ACA qualification and are not far off from qualifying, and work within audit and accounts which I do enjoy.

I am not sure whether to remain in this sector or to move to HMRC due to better career progression, prospects, pay, benefits etc.

I can see the statistics above but these are not very specific and I don't really want to base my choice entirely on this without gaining some advice as to what actually the issues and are why HMRC are so 'shite' to work for.

Any help or advice from ex HMRC employees or current HMRC employees or anyone that knows anything about working for HMRC etc is much appreciated.

Thank you
"

Tax does have to be taxing.



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10 comments:

  1. There are lies, damned lies and then there are HMRC statistics.

    Do yourself a big favour and remove the following from your body :-
    Brain - you do not require one
    Heart - ditto
    Kidneys - stops people taking the piss out of you
    Liver - it will turn yellow pretty quickly
    Skin - unless it is reptilian it will not be any use
    Reproductive Organs - prevent the species from reproducing
    Soul - you cannot have one once you are Pacesettered
    Eyes - not required as you cannot see the light
    Ears - as much use as a bicycle for a fish
    Rectum - prevent psychophants inserting their heads
    Spine - should be self explanatory by now

    Now, whatever is left is fit to join the Graduate entry scheme, good luck!

    ReplyDelete
  2. I would suggest using the graduate forums for this question as unfortunately you won't get many sensible responses from here (as demonstrated excellently by the posts above).

    Whatever you end up doing: good luck!

    ReplyDelete
  3. If you have an important point to make, don't try to be subtle or clever. Use a pile driver. Hit the point once. Then come back and hit it again. Then hit it a third time - a tremendous whack.
    Winston Churchill

    ReplyDelete
  4. Please don't do it. You're nearly ACA qualified for God's sake! Get a proper job! In HMRC the pay and benefits are rubbish and the career prospects are entirely dependent on the amount of anal mountaineering you are prepared to undertake. I speak as an ex-Inspector of 27 years' experience.

    ReplyDelete
  5. As the last poster said don't come to HMRC i am an inspector - or tax professional -name change with pacesetter crap. I am paid £27k pa no benefits expected to train newer 'tax professional candidates' - not in my job description and do my own work. They do less exams and the training is office based with death by training module - power point and they help with cases. They are guaranteed to work but will not get a pay rise for at least 3 years - none of us have had one for years. You can apply for the G7 fast track something which i have not done as they are all a bunch of pacesetter practitioners who would not know tax laws if they bit them on the arse No stay away do your chartered i know they are expensive but we3ll worth it. A good accountant can write his/her own paycheck - look at Ken Frost LOL

    ReplyDelete
  6. Don't do it. HMRC is a department going nowhere except down. Unless you are prepared to toady up to the managers, you've got no chance of getting anywhere. If you want an interesting, fulfilling job then pick somewhere else where you have more chance of being appreciated for your abilities rather than the number of times you can creep to your manager in an hour.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Have a good look at the results/answers to the questions on the last 3 "staff surveys", once you are sure you have a clear picture of your prospective employer look in the mirror and ask yourself "Do I really want to be associated with that?"
    If the answer is yes, for some obscure reason, good luck because you will make a fine G7 or Excom prat.
    If the answer is no, welcome to the real world, your opportunities will be greater and your lifespan even more so.

    ReplyDelete
  8. STOP PRESS

    HOLD THE FRONT PAGE

    TOYOTA ANNOUNCE WORLDWIDE RECALL OF OVER 7M VEHICLES!!!

    BET THEY DIDN'T SEE THAT ONE COMING SO SOON AFTER....

    LOL

    VACANCIES FOR GRADUATE ENTRANTS AT HONDA'S QUALITY ASSURANCE UNIT YET AGAIN

    ReplyDelete
  9. You don't need to get 'stuck' at HMRC. No one stays there for more than five minutes these days if they can get out.

    ReplyDelete