"Training as a Swiss Certified Tax Expert opens up a wide range of career opportunities that are as varied as our work itself. After finishing the program, practically every opportunity in the tax field is an open door."
Become a Certified Tax Expert in Switzerland? It’s what Nadja and Vincent decided on. The training to become a Swiss Certified Tax Expert is a requirement of KPMG in the departments Corporate Tax and Financial Services Tax. Depending on the apprentice’s educational level and work experience, the program takes 3 to 4 years to complete. Vincent and Nadja work with prominent clients and learn from our professional tax experts. In connection with their apprenticeships, they benefit from financial support from KPMG as well as professional supervision and a flexible schedule.
Who should consider such a program? What are its challenges? And how to achieve the ideal balance of school and work? We delve into these questions below.
Nadja and Vincent, why did you decide to become a Certified Tax Expert at KPMG Switzerland?
Nadja: During my master’s program, I was fascinated by tax law – especially corporate tax law. Then I did an internship in Corporate Tax at KPMG. This practical experience convinced me to train to become a Swiss Certified Tax Expert at KPMG. At KPMG, I have the opportunity every day to deal with current topics and the latest trends.
Vincent: I always knew that I wanted to work at the intersection of business and law and expand my knowledge in the tax field. After finishing at university, a lot of people look forward to finally entering the “real” professional world, and for me, the Certified Tax Expert training program at KPMG looked like the best of both worlds: advanced training, but also the real world.
What makes training and work in the field of corporate tax exciting?
Vincent: In the course of my work in just one position at KPMG, I have had the opportunity to learn about different areas, such as M&A transactions, real estate tax, tax consulting and tax accounting. I work with a variety of companies from a variety of branches, which makes for a lot of variation in my everyday work. I also get the opportunity to participate in building things from the ground up (within the legal limitations, of course), which is especially exciting. Learning never stops, and the field of tax law is incredibly broad, so I am never bored.
What kind of support do you get from KPMG?
Nadja: KPMG provides me with both financial support and a flexible schedule. We benefit from comprehensive internal training courses that provide optimal preparation for the exams. Even during the work-intensive “busy season,” KPMG makes it possible for us to attend classes, and half of our class time even counts toward working hours. We also have the option of taking paid leave before examinations so that we can fully concentrate on the exam preparation. All the training costs, including tuition, materials and examination fees, are paid by KPMG.
Vincent: I have also had the opportunity to reduce my work hours to 80%, which lets me spend every Monday with my two-year-old son. This flexibility is worth more than I can express, as it allows me to perfectly balance my professional and family responsibilities.
What do you consider the greatest challenge?
Nadja: The balance between job and school during the “busy season” can be very difficult. The workload is high from January to March, and on top of that, we have about 8 hours a week of classes. But it’s quite manageable with good organization and effective time management.
Vincent: I fully agree with Nadja. I also had to learn how to stay organized during the busy season.
What does a typical work week look like for a Tax Expert in training?
Vincent: Honestly, there is no such thing as a typical work week. We are focused on being there for our clients and making progress on the current projects. I often start the week with a detailed plan, only to have to throw it out on Tuesday because of pressing demands. Flexibility and adaptability are critical skills in our daily work.
It’s also worth mentioning the team drinks, which takes place every two weeks. It’s the perfect opportunity to converse with your colleagues, relax and celebrate shared successes.
What career prospects do you anticipate after you finish the training program?
Nadja: Training as a Swiss Certified Tax Expert opens up a wide range of career opportunities that are as varied as our work itself. After finishing the program, practically every opportunity in the tax field is an open door. There are also a number of internal career opportunities at KPMG that would allow us to shape our own professional paths and continue growing and developing.
Who would you encourage to consider this type of apprenticeship? What skills and background should they have?
Vincent: The prerequisites for this training program are generally a university degree, an interest in tax law and the motivation and curiosity to take on new and exciting challenges on a daily basis. So, it requires a certain amount of curiosity and perseverance. Sometimes I am faced with a seemingly insurmountable problem that requires extensive research, much like detective work. But that’s precisely what makes this training program exciting. It’s about immersing yourself in the work from the bottom up and finding solutions. I am never bored.