[rockinrobin]

Hi, know we are a long way off but was wondering if anyone had received their contracts yet? Also anyone had their feedback?

[esp820]

Nope not yet! Got my CRB through today so hopefully contracts will be soon??


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[XRayne]

I remember when I asked I was told contracts would arrive middle of August. Got my CRB back so now just waiting and trying to find somewhere to live as they moved me across the country

[rockinrobin]

Thanks for the info, I am sure all will be ok but mid August does seem late, especially if you are moving across country.

[rockinrobin]

Hi - I followed up with HMRC and they said they are due to start issuing contracts this Friday.

[ADR]

Unfortunately I didnt get offered a place on the graduate programme. But today recieved an email offering a position in cardiff as a compliance officer.

Anybody have the same email? or know anything about this role?

[Kieranthfc]

Hello ADR.

I was successful on getting on the scheme and my welcome email also says that I have been assigned as a compliance officer (I think the majority of people are.) Were you on the reserve list? It's prob worth you contacting them to find out more details.


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[Kieranthfc]

(Original post by rockinrobin)
Hi - I followed up with HMRC and they said they are due to start issuing contracts this Friday.

Thanks for this rockinrobin! Do you know anything about when we might receive feedback?


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[jamesdean2]

I was told I wasn't on the scheme in April, I've also had an email offering me a job as a Compliance Officer in Manchester today. The email specifically states that it's not part of the TPDP, but it looks like a good way in and a decent job, so I'll be accepting it I think. I lost my job in March and haven't found anything else yet, so this is really great news for me to be honest.

I wasn't put on a reserve list.

[Kieranthfc]

Sound great then, hope it goes well, would be interesting to see what the difference between the two is.

Good luck! :-)


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[rockinrobin]

(Original post by Kieranthfc)
Thanks for this rockinrobin! Do you know anything about when we might receive feedback?


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Hi, I did also asks about feedback and was told :
"this will be made available to everyone who attended Assessment Centres, but due to resource issues it will be several more weeks before we are in a position to start issuing this. We will be back in touch with you as soon as we possibly can."
Thought this would have been ready after 5 months.

Congratulations to those who have been offered roles.

[ADR]

(Original post by Kieranthfc)
Hello ADR.

I was successful on getting on the scheme and my welcome email also says that I have been assigned as a compliance officer (I think the majority of people are.) Were you on the reserve list? It's prob worth you contacting them to find out more details.


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Like jamesdean2 i was not put on the reserve list either so it was a suprise to receive this offer.

Regarding the role of compliance officer it seems that there is a need to fill a number of positions due to many retiring and the need to meet government targets.

Does anybody have any information regarding progression from this position?

I have a big decision to make as it means a reduction in pay and increased travelling expenses, yet it may be a better move for me in the long term provided that there are positions available beyond the 2 year term.

[jamesdean2]

It depends on what you're comparing to, but I'd imagine as jobs go you'll struggle to find better job security than Public Sector and Tax Collection. I noticed that the Civil Service Pension Scheme states it's not available if your contract is less than 2 years (I've been offered a 23 month contract), so that's a factor. However, the contributions are 18% once you are eligible, so that's worth a lot more than a few grand a year somewhere else. Given the state of the pensions in the private sector, this is an important factor for me.

If you look at the HMRC pay structure here:

http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/jobs/salaries.htm

You can get a decent idea of what progression is likely to be, up to £26k when you've done the training and then you'll need to earn promotion to the next rungs on the ladder. You can apply to the TPDP in future years and there's an Accountancy training scheme that looks like a very good thing to get into too if you want to move back to the private sector, or setup as a Tax Accountant on your own, at some point.

I'd say your prospects are as good or better than most things in the private sector, especially when you factor in job security.

If they've offered you a job in Newcastle and you'd rather have Manchester, just let me know!

PS - I've just had an email with some info on the VAT Officer role through.

[ADR]

Is it possible for you to copy and paste that information on here? havent received that email, the original email said that information bout the role would be attached but I did not recieve anything.

Sorry, im in cardiff.

[jamesdean2]

It wasn't really very much and was only vaguely useful as I think it refers to what you'll be doing two years down the line rather than how you'll get to that point, but it's here:


Being a VAT Officer – what does that mean?

As a VAT Officer my role mainly consists of visiting VAT registered businesses approximately three times a week and examining VAT records, interviewing and supporting the business owners.

My role is to test the credibility of the declared VAT and offer support, education and advice to the businesses. I have to explain clearly any errors made in their returns and encourage future compliance so that the customer gets it right in the future. I have to be alert to all areas of potential tax loss and undertake credibility checks and quantify the lost revenue. But it is also important to show support and empathy when needed. I work closely with my fellow team members to consider the potential implications of all taxes, and the consideration of any penalty.

Mostly my actual visits are booked for me but I am responsible for organising my day. This includes planning, preparing and managing my visits, which would also include booking travel, making sure there are no health & safety issues, data security issues, completing visit reports afterwards, providing feedback to other teams in the office, making assessments of tax due & calculating penalties to be paid. The process of making the assessment can be quite daunting and takes some time due to the number of systems I update and complete, but visiting customers certainly makes up for this as I enjoy being out and about and meeting new people.

We work with other tax areas, such as Self Assessment, and these cases are jointly worked with colleagues. It is interesting to be able to share ideas and good practice and work together throughout the intervention from start to finish.
I have worked in this area for a number of years and have recently been successful in gaining promotion.


Other comments made by people who have worked as VAT Officers:

“It’s an ideal role if you like to get out and meet people”

“I love the fact that I am in charge of my own working pattern – I have targets and work as part of a team but I can organise myself and am in control of my week”

“If you’re curious about how business works or how people make money then this is the job for you!”

“It’s very satisfying as you’re contributing to the recovery of the economy”

“You get a customer view of a Government department”

[ADR]

Sounds like it could be an interesting role once a permanent position is achieved.

I anticipate that the first 2 years will be full of training, courses and office based clerical work.

[Anon1009]

Has anyone else accepted their offer yet? Accepted mine yesterday morning and was expecting to have heard about the pre-appointment checks almost immediately as they were urging us to reply so soon.

[jamesdean2]

I accepted on Friday afternoon and haven't heard anything in response.

[monkeyl]

Got my contract in the post today nice to have it all confirmed.

[Anon1009]

Hi,

As my offer is subject to pre-appointment checks, does anyone remember if we gave our references at the application stage or do they get in touch asking?

Thanks