Apprenticeship Testimonial
I joined the Frank Hirth Apprenticeship Scheme last September after studying Spanish and Business Studies at Newcastle University. Having competed with thousands of other young hopefuls in the tough job market, I was thrilled to be called back for an initial interview. This consisted of a general introduction to the company and an insight into the day to day running of the firm. From that point, I immediately knew that Frank Hirth was unique and something I wanted to be a part of. Most importantly, they are who they say they are – an informal and friendly firm with unlimited support for their staff.
Fortunately, I was successful at my second interview with a manager and director of the Personal Tax Group, and was subsequently offered the position. The first few weeks involved internal US and UK taxation training with the other Apprentices. Also, four new Apprentices from the New York office came over and completed the training alongside us. It was an intensive US and UK taxation course that taught us the basics but also prepared us for the actual work ahead. US taxation was something completely new for me. Although a bit daunting at first, the training really helped us find our feet and understand what it is all about. Since then, we have had various other internal training courses which keep us up to date with changes and also enhance our knowledge base.
The first few months working at Frank Hirth were certainly a rollercoaster. Getting to grips with the US side of things was a great challenge, but certainly rewarding. We experienced our first big US tax deadline in December which was exhausting but a brilliant learning curve. The support from the rest of the team was faultless. If I had any problems, I knew there was always someone around to help out. After all, a lot of people at Frank Hirth started on the Apprenticeship programme and can empathise with the new joiners. We were also assigned a "buddy" from the year above who helps us settle in and is usually the first port of call when a problem arises.
In addition, Frank Hirth supports us through various taxation qualifications. I have just started the ATT and will sit my exams in November. The firm provides all of the course materials and also offers generous study leave to ensure we pass the exams first time.
Overall, the Frank Hirth Apprenticeship Scheme is an opportunity not to be missed. It is a unique platform from which to embark on a career in taxation, with the added advantage of specialising in US tax. The benefits of working within a medium sized firm are endless and it allows a wider scope for individual career progression.
