HMRC Graduate Tax Specialist Programme 2016

I also got the option for ICAS, however i will not be doing it. I'd rather get tuition from people who have worked in HMRC, rather than an external tutor who most likely has never seen the inside of a HMRC building. However, it's everyone's personal choice. Best of luck :-)

Yes Bristol is a gorgeous city! If you or anyone else who got Bristol wants to chat ot meet up before hand or if you want advice on living areas etc let me know!

Sure am!

I also think something to consider for those who have been offered ICAS - it says in the email the time taken to grade 7 varies to those completing the original TSP training. Therefore may be worth enquiring which one gets you there quicker (i think its ICAS). This would probably be one of the deciding factors for me if I had the option

Yes pleasee! I'm already in Bristol, but would be nice to meet up for a chat!

I also think something to consider for those who have been offered ICAS - it says in the email the time taken to grade 7 varies to those completing the original TSP training. Therefore may be worth enquiring which one gets you there quicker (i think its ICAS). This would probably be one of the deciding factors for me if I had the option

I agree with Tiger, I've spoken to a few people and the HMRC training is delivered really well and well recognised.

Sounds good! We could swap FBs or something?

FYI Ruth and anyone else on the reserve list - they've asked for people to accept/decline offers by the end of the 12th May.

So thats probably the first point people will start to drop off the 200 list and free up some space for those currently in reserve. Best of luck!

Yeah, sounds good. I'm on the new tsp group if you're in that?

Hi,

Do you have a link to the TSP group on facebook. I could not find it.

It definitely is, and after completion, career progression is excellent. The amount of knowledge gained from TSP is second to none. On the other hand the ICAS tax programme is not very well known, and it's a pilot programme. So there are bound to be some issues along the way.

Do you all think that people accepting the icas post will free up spaces in the tsp so space for reserves?

I have noticed the intake for tsp has usually been 230/240 people whereas this year it is 200. Maybe because of this trial they are doing?

I don't think it really matters a great deal tbh. The degree you gain within the TSP isn't going to impact your earning potential significantly should you leave HMRC. Someone with years of experience at Grade 7 level will be in demand regardless of having the ITP or not.

If you were a CA who gained the ITP then you might fare better in the private sector with less experience, than say someone who completed the TSP and tried to make the jump with less than 2 years experience.

Generally though I would say the TSP offers pretty good salary advancement in your early career, compared with private sector schemes. However after a while you might get tempted away due to slow salary progression you experience as a G7. It would take you an estimated 16 years to hit the max in your pay band (assuming you got a 1% increase each year and there are no increases to the max in that time!).

Think I've sent it..! Ecjb set it up.

The ICAS thing won't affect the number of places. The only thing that may affect it is if particular lines of business decide last minute that they want more people. Which is unlikely. The intake varies greatly from year to year. It has been as low as 50 in the past.

It's worth remembering that the TSP makes you desirable to external employers not just because of the qualifications you gain but also your knowledge of HMRC's internal processes and things like your contacts within HMRC.