Tax Advisor
Bill Rawlings works as a Tax Advisor for Shell and has also worked for a Big 4 Accountancy firm. Here he tells GAAPweb about his career path, his qualifications and his blossoming poker career.
Career to date
Tell us what you do, then.
I'm a Specialist Tax Advisor. It's fairly common for people with Accountancy qualifications to then move into Tax, but I did not study Accountancy. My first job was in the Tax team at a Big 4 Accountancy firm, and I studied for the ATT exams.
In my current job I am a UK Personal Tax Advisor in-house, so I get lots of general UK Personal Tax questions from the various parts of the company – especially HR. I have a fairly heavy Expatriate Tax bias to the job, which means most of my work involves international assignments – people coming to work in the UK, or UK people going on assignments overseas.
How important were your academic qualifications in getting your first Financial job?
Very important I would say. I don't think I interview particularly well, but I was applying for a Graduate job and had a very good academic history. I also did well in the numeracy/literacy tests at the interview, and my job offer was essentially based on that and my good exam results. I'm not sure if that would still be the case quite as much now – I think more goes into the recruitment process than 10 years ago – but good academic qualifications are very useful.
A life less taxing...
What core skills did you pick up early on in your career that are of benefit to you in your current role?
Providing clear and concise answers, and good customer service and response times.
With this dynamic approach to your work, are you able to subvert the stereotypes associated with Tax?
No, not really. Just as you'd imagine, we're all incredibly dynamic and sexy. Especially me.
What benefits did you find moving from Practice into Industry?
I moved from a Big 4 firm to an in-house role – which is generally a desirable move. The main attraction was to work in a slightly more relaxed and friendly environment – which is not to say it's not hard work, but I found that working in Practice can sometimes be a pretty thankless task. Things such as work/life balance and the happiness and morale of employees are frankly taken much more seriously in other companies. You're treated as if you mean more to the company, and the company is often more flexible to your needs and wants. That's my experience anyway.
As we speak
Talking of which, tell us the best thing about working for a company like Shell.
As I mentioned, the work/life balance really. You're treated as an adult, and if you have any requests or desires they will listen to what you have to say. Flexible working is encouraged, and personally I was given a 6 month sabbatical to travel to Africa to do football-based charity work - which I don't like to mention if I can help it. That kind of thing is generally supported and encouraged at Shell.
How do you wind down and get work out of your system?
I play a fair bit of sport, mainly football a couple of times a week. Although as my weakening, aged body rebels against me I've turned more to the vibrant world of poker – initially on the Internet, and also in real live tournaments, with proper people. These kind of things completely take your mind off any issues at work. It's pure escapism. Oh, and I meet up with friends and such like, when I can be bothered. The Internet's better though.
Does being a cold and calculating Finance professional help your poker play?
I never said I was a cold and calculating professional! I'm a friendly and cuddly Tax Advisor! And no, I don't think it helps that much – although having a mathematical background is an advantage I think.
Tips from the top
Can you offer any advice to someone looking to start out in Finance?
Firstly, make sure it is actually something that interests you, and you're not just doing it because you can't think of anything else. It's important to get some professional exams under your belt so that you can be flexible and keep your options open in future. And don't burn any bridges because it can be a very small world.