	The Lir Academy
	Pallaskenry Agricultural College
	Crumlin College of Further Education

Career Sectors > Business & Administration > Accountancy & Taxation

Organisation Profile - Irish Tax Institute

Back

Irish Tax Institute

News and Alerts...

Irish Tax Institute Open Evening - Winter Courses 2017

Irish Tax Institute Third Level Scholarship 2017

Tax Summer Internships

How your degree can lead you to a career in Tax

Careers in Tax Talks for Schools

Career Articles

How your degree can lead to a career in Tax

Interviews & Videos

Associate Tax Lawyer
Caroline Austin

Tax Manager
Sinead Lew

Administrative Officer
Edel Butler

Tax Consultant
Lorcan Kelly

Senior Tax Manager
Andrew Dunne

Tax Trainee
Anna Holohan

Associate Director
Joseph Conboy

Tax Trainee
Mary Dineen

Assistant Tax Manager
Danielle Grant

Contact Details

+353 1 663 1748

Website

Working in tax as a Chartered Tax Adviser (CTA) is like solving a puzzle – scope it, then solve it.

Career Opportunities... header image

What are the main occupations in this sector?

What types of employment contracts are there?

How do you get a job in this sector?

One of the great things about a career in tax is that it gives you choice. As a Chartered Tax Adviser (CTA) you will join Ireland's largest group of tax professionals working across a broad range of sectors:

Professional services firms
Legal firms - Corporate sector
Financial services
Public sector

Our Tax Technician qualification is a practical, modular qualification covering the fundamentals of tax. It's ideal for:

Employees specialising in compliance
Accounts personnel in the corporate sector
Office managers working in payroll and VAT compliance
Bookkeepers or accountants who wish to refresh their tax knowledge

Video: From Summer Intern to Tax Trainee

No training contract required

You don't need a training contract to complete the Chartered Tax Adviser (CTA) qualification or the Tax Technician qualification. However, some CTA students secure roles as tax trainees before they start the qualification.

Most of the large accountancy or law firms that have a tax practice start their graduate recruitment programmes in September/October - this is often referred to as the “Milk Round”. So it's important that you keep an eye out on their websites at the start of your final year in college.

If you are in your penultimate year in college, make sure you check out the firm's summer internships - these are 12-week placements in their tax department and are a great way to get on-the-ground experience. These are normally advertised in January, and the interviews held in February. A lot of firms are now recruiting for tax trainees through the summer internship, so you might be lucky to secure a contract before you finish college!

All of the larger firms require that you complete a formal application form which is available on their website or at a college careers office. Quite often, firms also recruit at the start of the academic year. For more details on these graduate recruitment programmes, please visit the various company and college career office websites. Many of Ireland’s largest companies also recruit graduates for their in-house tax departments.

Education and Training... header image

What qualifications are required?

Chartered Tax Adviser (CTA) qualification

If you are serious about a career in tax, then there is only one option - the Chartered Tax Adviser (CTA) qualification.

This is a 3 part qualification and covers all tax heads in unparalleled detail. You need a Level 8 (Honours) degree in any discipline. Lectures are held in Dublin and Cork. There is also a flexible online study option that lets you watch lectures whenever and wherever suits you. We also run two courses each year (Summer and Winter) so you can decide what best fits in with your life.

NEW Diploma in Tax

This 10 month qualification is the ideal choice for accounting and finance professionals who wish to develop and build their tax knowledge. Delivered by class-room based lectures in Dublin and online, assessment is by way of multi-disciplinary assignment.

Tax Technician Qualification

Our Tax Technician qualification is a practical, flexible, modular programme covering the fundamentals of tax in all areas of tax. It is ideal for those with no prior tax knowledge. You must hold a Level 5 qualification or equivalent (Leaving Certificate).

The Tax Technician course is a one-year part-time course, however, you can complete it over a 2-year period if that suits you. Lectures are held in Dublin, Limerick and online.

A few points to remember!

You don't have to have a training contract to become a Chartered Tax Adviser (CTA).
Graduates from all backgrounds can enrol on the Chartered Tax Adviser (CTA) qualification.
Applicants must hold a Level 8 and Level 5 qualification for the Chartered Tax Adviser (CTA) qualification and Tax Technician qualification respectively. Candidates for the NEW Diploma in Tax must have studied tax on a previous course. Candidates who do not hold an honours degree or equivalent may be considered on a case-by case basis, through the recognition of work-based learning.

Winter Courses

Lectures for the CTA, NEW Diploma in Tax and Tax Technician Winter Courses start in October. For more information, contact Eimear Finnegan on 01 663 1748 or efinnegan@taxinstitute.ie

Find out more

If you want to find out more about the Chartered Tax Adviser (CTA) Course, click here to read the Student Handbook.

If you are looking to find out more about the NEW Diploma in Tax, click here to read the Student Handbook.

If you are interested in the Tax Technician Course, click here to read the Student Handbook.

What are the typical routes into this sector?

Advice...

What advice do you have for school leavers?

What advice do you have for graduates?

What advice do you have for career changers?

What advice do you have for non-Irish nationals?

What advice do you have for those wishing to go back to work?

Meet our People...

View Video

"As I was learning more through my studies with the Irish Tax Institute, I was able to put this knowledge to practical application in my role."

Associate Tax Lawyer
Caroline Austin

View Video

"I chose the AITI Chartered Tax Adviser (CTA) qualification as it’s the most widely recognised and best regarded tax qualification in Ireland."

Tax Consultant
Lorcan Kelly

View Video

"I know that I can build a successful career based on my AITI Chartered Tax Adviser (CTA) qualification."

Tax Trainee
Anna Holohan

View Video

"I think the fact that each day is generally quite different is what appeals to me most."

Associate Director
Joseph Conboy

View Video

"Working as a tax adviser involves combining technical knowledge, commercial awareness and legal knowledge."

Assistant Tax Manager
Danielle Grant

View Video

"My degree in Law taught me how to read, analyse and interpret legislation. This was a skill which came to the fore when studying with the ITI."

Administrative Officer
Edel Butler

View Video

"I really enjoy working in a team and the advice we give to clients as a team - it can be very satisfying."

Senior Tax Manager
Andrew Dunne

View Video

"I regularly assist on general corporate tax queries from existing clients; this involves advising clients on the tax consequences of their business decisions."

Tax Trainee
Mary Dineen

View Video

"Being able to work as part of a team is really important and you will reap the benefits of it, as you will learn so much from working with others."

Tax Manager
Sinead Lew

Employer Insights... header image

Getting the job...

After I passed all of the eight FE1s (solicitor exams) and received a first class honours in my Masters, the next step was to apply for a traineeship. I applied to a number of graduate programmes and was delighted to be accepted by Matheson for a traineeship. I was extremely impressed by the broad range of practice areas offered by Matheson, which include a dedicated International Tax group and its dedication to its training programme.

Caroline Austin, Associate Tax Lawyer

Following on from my masters, I obtained a Barrister-at-Law degree from Kings Inns and practised as a barrister in the areas of company and commercial law for 2 years. It was during this time that I first gained exposure to tax law; it struck me as a very interesting area of law and so I began looking into becoming an AITI Chartered Tax Adviser (CTA) with the Irish Tax Institute.

In general, I found the recruitment process very challenging; there are numerous different stages to go through before getting a position. The recruitment process at Taxand Ireland (William Fry) was very well organised and focused very much on putting the applicants at ease.

I attended the drinks reception at the company’s offices prior to the interview and met the partners who would be interviewing me. I found this very helpful as it was much better to meet in a relaxed environment first, rather than the formal surrounds of an interview. Current trainees with Taxand Ireland (William Fry) met with me and answered any questions I had about the role, I found this gave me a very good insight into the firm and the type of work I would be doing as a trainee. Ultimately, I accepted a role at Taxand Ireland (William Fry).

Mary Dineen, Tax Trainee

The process involved completion of an application form. This entailed a detailed description of my educational background together with a short essay detailing the reasons why I thought I would be suited to a career in tax as well as a number of references.
Following a short listing procedure, I was interviewed by a panel of three people. The interview mainly covered the information provided on my application form together with some general questions about the tax system in Ireland.

Edel Butler, Administrative Officer

I had completed an internship in the summer of second year and I was lucky enough to be offered a job at the end of my internship! This can save you a lot of valuable time during your final year as you don’t have to fill out applications forms / attend interviews.

The recruitment and selection process gives you an opportunity to meet people from the various firms at career fairs, opening evenings etc. I found that this gave me a sense of what each firm is like and what a career in tax would entail. When I was lucky enough to get called for interviews and ultimately get job offers, I felt I was able to make a much more informed decision.

Sinead Lew, Tax Manager

I basically applied to the Big 4 accounting firms through the milkround process. When I was applying (back in 2003!) you had to complete a form and tick a box for audit or tax. I obviously ticked the box for tax in all cases! I was lucky enough to have interviews with all the Big4 firms and I remember them being almost one after the other � I think two might have actually been on the same day. All of the interviews were structured quite differently so it did mean that a lot of preparation was required before each one.

Joseph Conboy, Associate Director

When I was in college, I applied for a summer internship with EY, and was offered an internship in the Corporation Tax department. This cemented my interest in working in tax and I was delighted to be offered a training contract with EY on completion of my degree.

Andrew Dunne, Senior Tax Manager

I applied for my current job through a recruitment agency. I had two interviews as well as a psychometric test. The interviews focused on my skills background, as well as some technical knowledge. The psychometric test was focused on numeric and analytical skills and was conducted by a third party.

Lorcan Kelly, Tax Consultant

I began to think a career in tax would suit me so I decided to apply for a summer internship. I attended a talk about Deloitte in UCD and I was struck with the enthusiasm the speakers had for their jobs so I applied for an internship there. Both the application and interview processes were handled smoothly and professionally.

While the interviews for the professional services firms can be quite competitive, I really felt that every effort was made to make my interview less daunting, the staff in Deloitte really put me at ease. I have since discovered that this friendliness and helpful attitude exists throughout Deloitte.

Anna Holohan , Tax Trainee

I applied to a number of firms as part of the “Milk Round” process. My enrolment with the Irish Tax Institute and the successful completion of my Part 1 exams was a key factor to securing my training contract with Grant Thornton.

I had the opportunity to build my technical knowledge working in corporate and income tax compliance in the first two years, with the option of working solely in tax advisory from my third year onwards. I am now in the Capital Taxes team.

Danielle Grant, Assistant Tax Manager

Main challenges...

Once I decided that I would like to work in tax, I quickly realised that an essential prerequisite is obtaining the AITI Chartered Tax Adviser (CTA) qualification. I found the prospect of working and studying daunting, however the course is formulated so as to make it as easy as possible to combine work and study.

In particular, the online element of the course is very helpful – all lectures and notes are available online, allowing students to study at times that suit them best.

Mary Dineen, Tax Trainee

Tax is always changing, so you must really keep on top of everything � but this is a great learning opportunity.

Andrew Dunne, Senior Tax Manager

As a Revenue Auditor the challenges faced are numerous. Tax Payers tend to view Revenue Auditors and the Audit process with a certain amount of caution and trepidation. In such circumstances it is necessary to be able to make the taxpayer feel as comfortable as possible. I deal with such situations by ensuring that the taxpayer is fully aware of how the Audit will be carried out.

Revenue has a “Code of Practice” for Audit and I will notify the taxpayer in advance that my Audit will be carried out in accordance with this Code and I will direct them to our website so they can examine this document in advance.
I will always ask at the start of the Audit if the taxpayer is aware of how the Audit will be conducted and I will answer any questions or clarify any issues they may have before I commence my Audit.

By setting out how the Audit will progress, the taxpayer should be prepared for what will happen and I have found that this helps to manage the Audit process for me and the taxpayer.

Edel Butler, Administrative Officer

There can be challenges for example where a client asks for something immediately and the manager/partner on the client is not in the office. However, I have found that working as part of a large corporate tax group there is always someone willing and available to assist with any problems I have.

Anna Holohan , Tax Trainee

Tax law is always changing, so it�s really important that I keep up to speed on these changes!

Lorcan Kelly, Tax Consultant

I spent 3 years working in KPMG in Sydney. From a work perspective, the biggest challenge was learning the Australian tax system! In some ways it felt like I had started again as a tax trainee. The tax system in Australia is quite a bit different to Ireland � there is a lot more legislation, which took quite a bit of time to get on top of! Outside of work, it was all the little things you need to face when moving abroad. Finding a place to live, making new friends, adjusting to a different culture, etc.

Joseph Conboy, Associate Director

I recently worked on a project where the scope of the project was constantly changing and we were under considerable pressure to complete the project by an agreed deadline. How I dealt with this is by working efficiently, being decisive and helping out the team in whatever way I could to ensure we met our commitment to our client.

Sinead Lew, Tax Manager

It was certainly a challenge to balance studying for a professional qualification and work full time, however, the AITI Chartered Tax Adviser (CTA) programme offered by the Irish Tax Institute caters for this challenge by providing weekend lectures and electronic access to materials. In particular, the professional skills workshop offered the opportunity to discuss and solve real-life tax problems that I could then apply in my day to day work.

Caroline Austin, Associate Tax Lawyer

Typical day...

A typical day might involve trying to manage the progression of various projects with various different timelines attached to them! It will involve numerous meetings, conference calls and dozens of e-mails.

Andrew Dunne, Senior Tax Manager

To be honest, most days are quite different which I suppose keeps the job interesting. Given the nature of aviation, our work tends to involve speaking with various people around the world. For example, this week alone I have been on the phone to other KPMG offices in London, the Netherlands, Colombia and the United States.

I have also had a number of conference calls with a large law firm in New York, who are advising one of my bigger clients. Earlier this week, I also travelled to Scandinavia to meet the CFO of one of the large airlines to talk to him about how he could finance some of his new aircraft through Ireland.

Joseph Conboy, Associate Director

The great thing about a career in tax is that there is no such thing as a “typical” day – it is a very varied area and therefore, there is always something new and different to get involved in.

In Taxand Ireland (William Fry) there is a real focus on trainees getting experience across all tax areas, in order for them to get more comprehensive training and to decide what areas they themselves would like to focus on. Therefore, on any given day, I could be working on matters relating to a range of different taxes, such as VAT, corporate tax or personal tax.

Although not confined to any one area, over the course of my training my work has tended to focus on international and corporate tax. A lot of my work relates to multinational clients wishing to set up operations in Ireland. I assist the partner with structuring the establishment of the Irish operations, in the most efficient manner, from both a commercial and tax perspective.

Mary Dineen, Tax Trainee

There is no typical day when you work in tax! At the moment, much of my work involves providing advice in respect of property transactions. My clients are varied but would typically include receivers, banks and private clients.

Danielle Grant, Assistant Tax Manager

A lot of my duties as a Revenue Auditor are carried on outside the office, either at the tax payer’s premises or that of their adviser / agent. The Audit process involves me preparing my file following an analysis of the taxpayers tax returns and other information, which allows me to prepare my Audit Plan and I carry this into the initial ( and possible subsequent) interviews with the tax payer and / or their advisers.
I will also examine / analyse the books and records, which will allow me to arrive at my Audit findings, which I will present to the taxpayer and their adviser / agent.

Edel Butler, Administrative Officer

The typical type of work I do includes working on group reorganisations, financing project and trade transfers. More recently, I have also been involved in a number of large property transactions. I am constantly in contact with other professional bodies, such as solicitors and banks. I would be in regular contact with Revenue, as part of my day to day work.

Sinead Lew, Tax Manager

Each working day is very different and that keeps the role interesting and challenging.
8 30 am: Arrive to the office and catch up on any emails I may have received the previous evening.
9 30 am – 10 30 am: Conference call with our legal director and Pernod Ricard USA on the US tax consequences of a new project.
10 30 - 11 am: Assist the financial accountant with the tax accounting for a group company’s financial statements.
11 am – Midday: Meeting with Financial Controller and CFO on the liquidation of a group company and the tax implications.
Midday – 1pm: Call with our professional VAT advisers in preparation for an upcoming VAT audit.
2 pm – 4 pm: Working on Corporate Tax computations and researching a VAT query I received from a colleague in the marketing department.
4 – 5 pm: Call with the Paris tax team on the Irish Tax implications of a group restructuring project and prepare slides for the next morning’s month end meeting.
So you see the day varies between desk based work / research and calls, meetings etc.

Lorcan Kelly, Tax Consultant

No two days are the same! Matheson�s Tax department is involved in many types of complex transactions, working with international clients to add value to their businesses and as tax law is continually evolving, I am always learning and I am fortunate to be part of a team that encourages me to keep progressing to be the best I can be.

Caroline Austin, Associate Tax Lawyer

Apart from managing the compliance work for my clients, my day also generally involves some ad-hoc work such as assisting with a project, proposal or piece of advice. This work is normally undertaken as part of a team with a partner, director, manager and trainees. Most businesses differ therefore the tax advice we prepare for these businesses differs. This ensures that every day brings a new challenge and a new learning experience.

Before joining Deloitte I did wonder if I would spend my days photocopying and filing however, I have found that even as a trainee I have been given plenty of responsibility. There is no shortage of interesting work to get involved in and there is excellent support with someone always available to answer any queries or concerns I have.

Anna Holohan , Tax Trainee

Further training...

I decided to pursue the AITI Chartered Tax Adviser (CTA) qualification on joining Deloitte. I had undertaken some lectures with the Irish Tax Institute as part of my Masters in Smurfit and found them to be extremely well organised and professional. I knew that I would have excellent support pursuing my tax qualification.
Deloitte have really supported me in pursuing the AITI CTA qualification. They offered me paid study leave for my exams and in house training sessions which made the experience of sitting my first set of exams as stress free as possible.

Anna Holohan , Tax Trainee

When I joined KPMG, I was required to pursue the AITI Chartered Tax Adviser (CTA) qualification.

Joseph Conboy, Associate Director

Studying for the AITI Chartered Tax Adviser (CTA) qualification was a key aspect of my training.

Edel Butler, Administrative Officer

I qualified as an AITI Chartered Tax Adviser (CTA). It really appealed to me that it is such a well-recognised qualification and I thought that it would give me a really good base from which to build by skills and ultimately my career.

Sinead Lew, Tax Manager

Apart from on the job training in EY, I was required as part of my training contract to pursue the AITI Chartered Tax Adviser (CTA) qualification with the Irish Tax Institute

Andrew Dunne, Senior Tax Manager

I am currently undertaking the AITI Chartered Tax Adviser (CTA) qualification with the Irish Tax Institute.

Mary Dineen, Tax Trainee

My enrolment on the AITI Chartered Tax Adviser (CTA) course with the Irish Tax Institute and the successful completion of my Part 1 exams was a key factor to securing my training contract with Grant Thornton.

Danielle Grant, Assistant Tax Manager

My training firm (KPMG) required me to complete the AITI Chartered Tax Adviser (CTA) qualification. The AITI Chartered Tax Adviser (CTA) qualification is the most widely recognised and best regarded tax qualification in Ireland.

Lorcan Kelly, Tax Consultant

In my first year as a qualified solicitor, I started my studies for the AITI Chartered Tax Adviser (CTA) qualification with the Irish Tax Institute. Both in Matheson tax department and the tax industry as a whole, the AITI Chartered Tax Adviser (CTA) qualification is considered an essential qualification to obtain and I knew it would provide me with a further opportunity to enhance my knowledge and skills.

Caroline Austin, Associate Tax Lawyer

Advice if considering this job...

I would advise any college student considering a career in tax to undertake a summer internship or placement in a firm offering tax services. I found this an excellent way to understand what a job in tax would actually involve. Researching careers in tax online also shows the endless and exciting opportunities that a tax qualification can offer. I have found the more I have learned about tax, the more I understand how varied roles in tax can be.

Anna Holohan , Tax Trainee

A common misconception about a career in tax is that it is just about numbers, however, tax law has a strong basis in legislation and case law. Therefore, it is really suitable for graduates from a legal background, or for qualified solicitors and barristers.

Caroline Austin, Associate Tax Lawyer

I would strongly recommend a career in tax to any students who are considering it. Tax professionals are in high demand from employers and can add real value to any business. It is a challenging and rewarding career which can place you at the heart of business decision making. It can also be an excellent springboard to other careers in finance.

Just recently a new Chief Financial Officer was appointed to Irish Distillers who was formerly the Pernod Ricard Group tax director! Also do your research about the AITI Chartered Tax Adviser (CTA) qualification – from my own experience, the course is very practical and relevant to my day to day job. It provides a structured framework for achieving the knowledge of tax law and skills required to be an AITI Chartered Tax Adviser (CTA).

Lorcan Kelly, Tax Consultant

An essential prerequisite to a career in tax is obtaining the AITI Chartered Tax Adviser (CTA) qualification. Due to the varied and hands on nature of the work in Taxand Ireland’s office, I have found working in tax very beneficial when preparing for the AITI Chartered Tax Adviser (CTA) exams and conversely, I have found the knowledge I have acquired as part of the AITI Chartered Tax Adviser (CTA) course has assisted me massively in my day to day work with Taxand Ireland (William Fry).

Mary Dineen, Tax Trainee

If you are looking for a career that keeps you always challenged and interested, then you really should consider a career in tax! The fact that tax is constantly changing helps keep it interesting. Every year we have a new Budget/Finance Act which introduces new tax law that we have to get on top off. So it means we are constantly learning and need to be up to date with changes as quickly as possible � that�s what our clients expect of us.

Joseph Conboy, Associate Director

I think a career in tax is very rewarding and is an enjoyable career. There are a varied number of jobs which are available to someone with a tax qualification, including private practice, industry, Revenue, lecturing etc. The role of a tax adviser in practice or indeed within Revenue is, in my experience, extremely varied and challenging.

I would advise college students who are considering a career in tax to look into placements offered by their colleges / summer internships. I know from my time spent in private practice that a great number of the bigger accountancy / tax practice offer such positions to college students. This is a great way for such students to get a feel for what a career in tax entails and will help them in making a decision as to whether or not tax is something that they would enjoy.

Edel Butler, Administrative Officer

I thought the job would solely be to compute an individual�s / company�s tax liability but it extends to so much more beyond that. You are not just solely a person or organisation�s tax advisor; you are a general business adviser helping them to make key business/commercial decisions.

Sinead Lew, Tax Manager

This is a great career for challenging and strategic work, and also allows you a great opportunity to travel if that interests you.

Andrew Dunne, Senior Tax Manager

The lifestyle...

I have found that it is so important to balance my job, my study and my personal life. Deloitte encourage a healthy work life balance and I have realised this is important to me doing a good job at work. I find that by taking part in events and activities I am much more productive in work, efficient and attentive in my study and happier in general.

Anna Holohan , Tax Trainee

In Revenue, you have flexible working hours which are managed through an electronic time and attendance recording system. You can start work at any time between 8 and 10 o�clock and you can finish your working day any time from 4 o�clock. This allows great flexibility and ensures that you can organise your day in such a way as to create a balance between career and personal life.

Edel Butler, Administrative Officer

Thankfully in my current job, I am able to balance my work life commitments. When I trained with KPMG, they gave me more than adequate study leave when I was pursuing the AITI Chartered Tax Adviser (CTA) qualification which was great. It can be difficult to go to lectures some evenings after work and at the weekends but if you can�t make it they�re also available online to catch up on in your own time.

Lorcan Kelly, Tax Consultant

I am very conscious of trying to keep a good work life balance. I think every person is different though in how they manage this. For me personally, I like to leave the office most days around 6.30 or so, relax for a few hours and then check my emails later in the evening to make sure nothing urgent needs attending to. I am not one of these people who stays in the office every night until 9 or 10pm � if I did I�d be asleep at my desk!

Joseph Conboy, Associate Director

Yes, thankfully I can maintain a good work life balance, where my hard work is rewarded.

Caroline Austin, Associate Tax Lawyer

In work, we are actively encouraged to ensure that we achieve a good career and personal life balance. I just try to ensure that I work as efficiently as I can when I am in the office which enables me to do activities in the evenings and weekends. I am a member of a number of clubs which also helps me to get a good balance.

Sinead Lew, Tax Manager

Yes, certainly. I am able to balance my work life balance very well � this is very important to me.

Andrew Dunne, Senior Tax Manager

Whats cool...

Tax advice is always relevant to companies, whether they are restructuring in a downturn or growing and diversifying in times of expansion. It is an exciting, dynamic and deadline-driven environment that requires you as an adviser to stay up to date on the latest developments. The AITI Chartered Tax Adviser (CTA) qualification has been essential in equipping me with the necessary skills to meet the needs of my clients and to help me to succeed in my career.

Caroline Austin, Associate Tax Lawyer

There is no shortage of interesting work to get involved in and there is excellent support with someone always available to answer any queries or concerns I have. I also really like the atmosphere of a large firm.

Anna Holohan , Tax Trainee

Working in Australia obviously had a number of advantages � the weather, beaches, sport to name but a few! From a KPMG perspective, it also allowed me to see how our other offices work. Since I have come home, I have been able to give examples of things that work well in Australia, that could help improve the Irish office, etc.

Joseph Conboy, Associate Director

Tax professionals can add real value to a business and can be critical in shaping major decisions. I really enjoy seeing the value that I can add to the business. The tax analysis is critical in so many business decisions and in a lot of cases drives the decision.

Lorcan Kelly, Tax Consultant

I really enjoy working in a team and the advice we give to clients as a team - it can be very satisfying.

Andrew Dunne, Senior Tax Manager

The Revenue Commissioners offers great opportunities to its staff. There is huge scope for movement within the organisation both in terms of lateral movements and promotions. Revenue has a great mobility policy which ensures that staff do not stay in the one section / area for long periods of time. As a result staff are regularly rotated around to ensure they gain experience in numerous sectors and areas of tax.
The nature of tax is extremely diverse. Tax is changing all the time and as a tax consultant you must stay up to date. After every Finance Bill / Finance Act it is necessary to review any changes brought in or new taxes introduced. It is a challenging and rewarding career.

Edel Butler, Administrative Officer

The varied and hands-on nature of the role with Taxand Ireland (William Fry) - from a very early stage, I was involved in interesting work and given increasing responsibility as time went on. This means that it is always interesting and I feel that I am always learning and increasing my knowledge in various areas of tax.

Also, the problem-solving nature of the role; devising a solution which is not only legally and technically accurate but which is commercially acceptable, can be quite challenging but is also very interesting.

Mary Dineen, Tax Trainee

The work I do is really diverse and there are constantly new projects and challenges so you are always learning and developing. What most appeals to me though is working with people- interacting with colleagues and clients on a regular basis, meeting different people from different backgrounds, industries, etc. You will typically never encounter the same two scenarios in tax; there are always different facts involved, different organisations and different desired outcomes. I like that the work is so varied.

Sinead Lew, Tax Manager

Not so cool...

Sometimes we have to work to specific tight deadlines, but although that can be challenging, it is also very rewarding.

Andrew Dunne, Senior Tax Manager

I have a fairly large client base, so they all tend to ask slightly different questions when looking at things, so this always means I have to be on my toes! But in saying that, this is still really challenging and means I am always learning!

Joseph Conboy, Associate Director

Sometimes tight deadlines mean that it can be very fast paced and challenging, but working as part of a team really helps here!

Sinead Lew, Tax Manager

Occasionally there can be an important deadline to meet that requires extra hours in the office but this is the exception rather than the norm.

Anna Holohan , Tax Trainee

Sometimes, I found at times it was difficult to balance work and studying for the AITI Chartered Tax Adviser (CTA) qualification, especially when work was busy. However, I was lucky enough to be working in a company which allowed for study leave and so I had sufficient leave to allow me to adequately prepare for the exams.

Edel Butler, Administrative Officer

It was a challenge to balance studying and working at times, but I managed very well as the Irish Tax Institute really supports you through the qualification by offering a flexible study and learning approach that makes work life balance very manageable.

Caroline Austin, Associate Tax Lawyer

I don�t have any major complaints, but sometimes there can be a lot of demands on my time that mean I must juggle what is the most important task at hand.

Lorcan Kelly, Tax Consultant

Global Opportunities... header image

Are there overseas opportunities available?

Are there opportunities in this sector for non-Irish nationals?

About this Sector... header image

Please give an overview of your sector?

Tax is an ever changing landscape. Chartered Tax Advisers (CTAs) work to ensure that their clients make the best business decisions in light of this continually changing landscape. CTAs monitor and anticipate changes to tax legislation and respond quickly with commercially focused advice specific to their clients’ particular business requirements.

CTAs provide tax advisory services to a wide range of clients who operate in all sectors of the economy. A career in tax could mean working with and advising some of the key people and corporates in Ireland and internationally - from home-grown start ups, pioneering biotechnology companies, global investment advice to leading entrepreneurs.

CTAs also have the opportunity to work in specialised areas of tax such as wealth and retirement planning, pension advice and investment advice.

Tax is a critical part of all commercial transactions, and CTAs knowledge, judgement and expertise are really invaluable at each stage of the transaction.

This is a sector where you never stop learning - legislation changes such as the Budget each year, to changes in EU law, can change key aspects of tax system affecting different clients in various ways. A CTA must always be up to speed on such changes!

One of the great things about a career in tax as a CTA is that it gives you choice - you can choose to work in practice, industry or the public sector. You can choose to work in Ireland or internationally. The best part is that no two days are the same!

Some of the typical work that CTAs are involved in are as follow:

Offer commercially focussed tax and business advice to clients
Enable clients to minimise financial and reputational risk
Assist clients to minimise the tax cost of doing business
Develop and implement tax planning strategies
Manage the tax compliance process for clients
Negotiate with Revenue on behalf of clients
Consult on the commercial issues facing a particular client/industry sector
Advise on international financial transactions
Develop appropriate corporate structures to enable clients to develop their businesses effectively
Provide tax advice on key life stage events for private individuals
Consult on property transactions in Ireland and abroad to minimise related VAT and stamp duty costs.
Assist clients in complying with complex tax reporting obligations.

What is the size and scope of the sector?

What are the current issues affecting this sector?

What changes are anticipated over the next 5 years

About Us... header image

“Working in tax as a Chartered Tax Adviser (CTA) is like solving a puzzle – scope it, then solve it. But solve it in a way that’s innovative and creative. It’s a puzzle that’s the perfect blend of numbers and strategy. Tax is based on legislation, so coming up with the solution means investigating the rules in legislation and putting together strategic tax advice that makes a real financial impact”.

About the Irish Tax Institute

Located in the heart of Dublin's Silicon Docks, the Irish Tax Institute is the gold standard in tax, and the only professional body exclusively dedicated to tax. We have educated the leaders in tax for the last 40 years, and our Chartered Tax Advisers (CTA) are amongst 28,000 CTA internationally.

We educate and develop the finest minds in tax, and prepare them to become leaders in the profession. Top employers choose to educate their employees with us.

We offer three tax qualifications - our three-part Chartered Tax Adviser (CTA), our NEW 10 month Diploma in Tax and one-year Tax Technician courses.

Have you ever considered a career in tax as a Chartered Tax Adviser (CTA)?

A career in tax creates opportunities. The opportunity for challenging and diverse work. The opportunity to see the world. The opportunity to work on the most cutting edge commercial transactions.

Tax is part of the international language of finance, and the Chartered Tax Adviser (CTA) qualification is the international hallmark of excellence in tax. You could be part of a group of 28,000 CTAs working all over the globe from Ireland, to the UK, USA, Asia to Australia.

Visit our Career in Tax Blog HERE

Not just for business graduates

A common misconception is that only business graduates pursue a career in tax. Not so! The great thing about a career in tax is that it is more about the qualities that you bring to the career, rather than your educational background. Skills such as creative thinking, analytical know-how and commercial awareness are so important.

In addition to business and law graduates, those with an engineering, science and the humanities background also successfully pursue careers in tax. Go to www.careerintax.ie and see the variety of roles, sectors and backgrounds that Chartered Tax Advisers (CTA) work in or find our Irish Tax Institute Students page on Facebook.

Contact us

For further information on our courses and on a career in tax, you can visit www.careerintax.ie or call Eimear Finnegan on +353 1 6631748.

►	Choosing A Career
►	The Importance of Knowing Yourself
►	Career Research
►	Exploring Education Options
►	Looking for Work
►	Growing your Career
►	Where to find Professional Advice

►	Guide to Self Assessment
►	Career Interests
►	Personality
►	Career Values
►	Skills

►	Agriculture, Horticulture, Forestry & Food
►	Animals & Veterinary Science
►	Maritime, Fishing & Aquaculture

►	Building, Construction & Property
►	Chemical, Biomedical & Pharmaceutical Sciences
►	Computers & ICT
►	Earth Science & Environment
►	Electrical & Electronic Engineering
►	Mechanical Engineering & Manufacturing
►	MedTech
►	Physical & Mathematical Sciences
►	Space Science & Technology

►	Medical & Healthcare
►	Social & Caring

►	Civil & Public Service, Local Government, Politics & EU
►	Classic Arts, Languages & Culture
►	Community & Voluntary
►	Education
►	Law & Legal
►	Leisure, Sport & Fitness
►	Media & Publishing
►	Security, Defence & Law Enforcement
►	Tourism & Hospitality

►	Accountancy & Taxation
►	Advertising, Marketing & Public Relations
►	Banking, Insurance & Financial Services
►	Business Organisation & Business Management
►	Clerical & Administration
►	Sales, Retail & Purchasing
►	Transport & Logistics

►	Art, Craft & Design
►	Entertainment & Performing Arts
►	Fashion & Beauty

►	The Irish Education System
►	School & College Education
►	Adult Education
►	Government Upskilling Initiatives

►	Junior Cert Subjects
►	Leaving Cert Subjects
►	Guide to Subject Choice

►	Options After School
►	Repeating the Leaving Cert
►	Grants and Scholarships

►	Guide to Studying Abroad
►	Studying in the UK
►	Studying in Europe
►	Studying in the USA
►	Studying in Australia or New Zealand

►	The Changing World of Work
►	Sector Experts
►	Occupations
►	Apprenticeships
►	Work Experience
►	Employer Insights
►	Career Stories from around Ireland
►	Career News

►	Types of Employment
►	Employee Rights
►	Facing Redundancy
►	Changing Jobs
►	Changing Career Direction
►	Starting Your Own Business

►	Recently Unemployed
►	Jobseeker Support Services
►	Employment Initiatives
►	Upskilling Initiatives
►	What Employers Want

►	Preparing a Job Search
►	CV & Job Applications
►	Finding Vacancies
►	Recent Job Announcements