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Top Insider Advice
The Tax Professional Programme is difficult, but that's ok because it prepares you for a leadership position within a world leading tax authority, embrace it.
Although, you might often find it hard to juggle learning, casework and Quality Assurance Framework tasks, don't forget to get involved in activities that might switch your focus to other rewarding things, like volunteering, or getting involved in HMRC's Regional Pillars work, or being an ambassador / lead for one of the many networks we have. This will allow you to pause from your day-to-day activities and make you feel like you belong to a community of like minded people, rather than a student or a compliance caseworker.
Career path
Compliance Caseworker
HMRC
Started 08/2025 to PresentPolicy Advisor
HMRC
From 10/2023 to 09/2024Performance Analyst
HMRC
From 01/2023 to 10/2023Company
What do you like about your job and the company?
I think the people around me make the Tax Professional Programme enjoyable, we're part of the same journey and this brings us together.
The work and learning opportunities are really good too, because it teaches us to be problem-solvers, analytical-thinkers, great communicators and become well-rounded leaders. It also allows us to see the bigger impact we can have as Tax Specialists.
Greatest achievements
Moving to the UK 15 years ago and completing my university degree in Finance and Accounting, in a language different from the one I grew up speaking most of my life, is one of my greatest professional achievements.
I've led teams in busy environments in the hospitality industry. I've changed the culture of a payroll and accountancy practice to everyday accountability and great customer service. I worked in recruitment and it was commonplace to feel a sense of achievement, providing specialist support to students with learning difficulties, health problems or disabilities at different universities across the UK.
As a compliance worker, I feel a sense of achievement every time I close a case. When I make sure the right tax was paid, I give assurances to our customers that they are doing the right thing. When I correct errors made by customers, I collect tax that otherwise would not have been paid, and this pays for our vital public services.
Kris
Estates Strategic Planning & Data Modelling lead
Top Insider Advice
If there is one thing in my 20+ years in the civil service I have figured out it is you will never know if you don't try. Early on in my career I would never volunteer for opportunities, I wouldn't offer up answers or contribute to group meetings or working groups and missed the opportunity to apply for roles I would have loved to try my hand at. This was all through the fear of looking stupid or failing and how other people would view me. Not to say I have never failed as I have, be that in job applications or the approach I have taken to work tasks. The biggest thing I will share here is I have learned so much more from failing than I ever have from getting something right first time. The support from my colleagues during these times was surprising, there are so many great people who work across our government departments which fosters a great environment to be part of. Don't forget if you learn or take something way from an experience how can that be seen as a failure. Don't stop trying.
Sandra
Tax Investigator
Top Insider Advice
I've been a Civil Servant for 34 years, starting as an AO in what was DHSS, processing benefit claims. This was a real baptism of fire, dealing with desperate people and desperate situations and exposed me to parts of the population that were a long way from my life. I learned good people skills from this and a real focus on how important good customer service is-doing what you say you will and still having to deliver even when things are difficult or unpopular. This gave me a good grounding for moving onto National Insurance in a compliance role for business and individuals. HMRC merged in 1999 with NI and that was the start of my accidental career. I'm proud to have worked my way up from the bottom as I believe it made me who I am. Whilst no against direct entrance programmes, gaining experience within different grades and roles creates a rounded person.
Louise
Benefit lead
Top Insider Advice
I think we can all feel a sense of imposter syndrome, and that inner voice saying you are not capable. You are ! I think we all need to recognise that work can be challenging and not always as straightforward as you want it to be, which is where the doubt can set it. Its all about building that resilience for me, don't give up. If you want something just keep working towards it, even if that means taking it slowly.