Tax Inspector
Job Description:Tax inspectors make sure the correct amount of tax is paid and that fraud hasn’t taken place.
Job Category:What you will do:
You’ll work for a governmental department to make sure businesses and individuals follow tax laws and pay the correct amount of tax.
Your day-to-day duties might include:
- examining business accounts
- visiting businesses to interview board directors, lawyers and accountants
- investigating suspected fraud
- offering specialist advice about tax
- negotiating settlements
- representing the government at appeals tribunals
- considering and applying tax law to cases
- leading a team of caseworkers and administrative staff
- managing relationships between the government and customers
Skills:
You’ll need
- knowledge of economics and accounting
- maths knowledge
- legal knowledge of tax regulations
- to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device
As well as:
- patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
- the ability to work on your own
- to be thorough and pay attention to detail
- analytical thinking skills
- customer service skills
- the ability to investigate and analyse complex information
decision-making ability - good negotiating skills and powers of persuasion
- a creative approach to problem-solving
Entry Requirements:
In the UK, you’ll need to apply for a place on the HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) Tax Specialist Programme and have one of the following:
- a 2:2 or better in an honours degree in any subject
- an equivalent award like a professional accountancy qualification
Even though you can apply with a degree in any subject, qualifications in finance, business, and law may be useful.
You must meet UK nationality requirements to apply for jobs in the civil service.
HMRC sometimes run an 8-week, paid internship programme for final year degree students.
These requirements will vary from country to country.
Working Hours and Environment:
You’ll work 37 hours a week, Monday to Friday, with possible overtime when tax deadlines are approaching.
You’ll be office-based but will spend some time travelling to visit businesses and attend meetings.
Career Path & Progression:
With experience, you could move through the governments’ promotion structure to more senior or specialist posts.
You could go into the private sector as a tax adviser, or become a self-employed tax consultant.