HMRC Assessment Day

My thanks to a loyal reader who sent me a summary of his recent experience of the HMRC assessment day at Croydon, when applying for a rapid/surge team vacancy position.

Two other candidates attended the event, both of them had their identities checked but not my loyal reader.

The three candidates were escorted onto a floor of HMRC Croydon Southern House, where around 8 assessors were in attendance.

The candidates were told that rapid and surge team members were shoved willy-nilly into whatever department had a shortfall, the role would inevitably involve a lot of travelling and overnight stays. Having explained the role, the assessment began.

The candidates were taken to an abandoned floor where there were approximately 10 rolls of sellotape. One role was given to the candidates, along with five blank A4 sheets of paper.

The task was to build a bridge within twenty minutes.

The next task involved resolving issues concerning a junior league of 16 teams, where 3 of the 6 pitches available are washed out. The teams had to identify opportunities and "deliverables" in order to ensure the event and associated activities, eg bouncy castle and stalls, still went ahead and that the 200 parents, kids etc were all entertained.

After that came some questions about whether the candidates would mind being told to travel at short notice, and to demonstrate their flexibility etc.

At this stage it was realised that the id of the loyal reader hadn't been checked.The hapless candidate was sent out to East Croydon station to get a passport photo taken, his day ended when he returned with said photo.

Tax does have to be taxing.

Professional Cover Against the Threat of Costly TAX and VAT Investigations

Insurance to protect you against the cost of enquiry or dispute with HMRC is available from several sources including Solar Tax Investigation Insurance.

Ken Frost has negotiated a 10% discount on any polices that may suit your needs.

However, neither Ken Frost nor HMRCISSHITE either endorses or recommends their services.

What is Solar Tax Investigation Insurance?

Solar Tax Investigation Insurance is a tax-fee protection service that will pay up to £75,000 towards your accountant's fees in the event of an HM Revenue & Customs full enquiry or dispute.

To find out more, please use this link Solar Tax Investigation Insurance



HMRC Is Shite (www.hmrcisshite.com), also available via the domain www.hmrconline.com, is brought to you by www.kenfrost.com "The Living Brand"

Going Postal

My thanks to a loyal reader who alerted me to a wee discussion on AccountingWeb about HMRC postal delays:

"I sent a letter to HMRC, PO Box 168, Bootle four weeks ago and a copy of the original letter about ten days ago.

Neither have appeared on the HMRC "system" yet.

Is there a delay between receiving the letter and scanning it? If so, does anyone know how long the delay is please?"

Methinks the Surge Teams are going to have a busy summer!

Tax does have to be taxing.

Professional Cover Against the Threat of Costly TAX and VAT Investigations

Insurance to protect you against the cost of enquiry or dispute with HMRC is available from several sources including Solar Tax Investigation Insurance.

Ken Frost has negotiated a 10% discount on any polices that may suit your needs.

However, neither Ken Frost nor HMRCISSHITE either endorses or recommends their services.

What is Solar Tax Investigation Insurance?

Solar Tax Investigation Insurance is a tax-fee protection service that will pay up to £75,000 towards your accountant's fees in the event of an HM Revenue & Customs full enquiry or dispute.

To find out more, please use this link Solar Tax Investigation Insurance



HMRC Is Shite (www.hmrcisshite.com), also available via the domain www.hmrconline.com, is brought to you by www.kenfrost.com "The Living Brand"

HMRC's Surge and Rapid Response Team Vacancies

My thanks to a loyal reader, who sent me a link to a job advert for HMRC's Surge and Rapid Response Team.

What's that for?

Basically when HMRC get too many phone calls, it sends its surge team to man the phones, and when HMRC gets too many letters it sends its surge team to the post room.

All very well and dandy, except that HMRC is inundated with both phone calls and letters!

Anyhoo, here is an extract of the job description (which can be access in full via this link):

"We are offering an exciting opportunity to become an apprentice in the profession, and become part of the Surge & Rapid Response Team working across government departments. You will be dealing with different types of customers and delivering a range of public services, in a variety of locations. This expanding team has already enjoyed exciting and productive deployments in DWP, HMRC, Foreign & Commonwealth Office, the Home Office and Defra.

Your duties will vary and may change frequently; they will include: managing cases and resolving customer enquiries, using multiple government databases, using the telephone, writing letters/emails, using social media to communicate to customers and dealing with citizens face to face in a range of environments."

I understand that there are also similar openings in Croydon, on a higher salary (£22K-£24K).

Tax does have to be taxing.

Professional Cover Against the Threat of Costly TAX and VAT Investigations

Insurance to protect you against the cost of enquiry or dispute with HMRC is available from several sources including Solar Tax Investigation Insurance.

Ken Frost has negotiated a 10% discount on any polices that may suit your needs.

However, neither Ken Frost nor HMRCISSHITE either endorses or recommends their services.

What is Solar Tax Investigation Insurance?

Solar Tax Investigation Insurance is a tax-fee protection service that will pay up to £75,000 towards your accountant's fees in the event of an HM Revenue & Customs full enquiry or dispute.

To find out more, please use this link Solar Tax Investigation Insurance



HMRC Is Shite (www.hmrcisshite.com), also available via the domain www.hmrconline.com, is brought to you by www.kenfrost.com "The Living Brand"