I completed my work placement at TaxAssist which is an accounting
franchise and tax advisory business. TaxAssist specialises in providing
accounting, bookkeeping, and tax services to small and medium-sized
businesses, sole traders, partnerships, and personal taxpayers. Overall,
my experience at TaxAssist was very positive. I found the placement both
enjoyable and educational as it gave me the opportunity to see how an
accounting firm works in a real business environment. During my time
there I learned a lot about daily accounting practices, client interaction,
and the importance of accuracy and organisation when dealing with
financial information. The staff were very good and supportive also willing
to explain tasks which helped me build more confidence and develop new
skills. This placement has increased my understanding of the accounting
profession and has been a good learning experience. The staff at TaxAssist
were extremely nice, talkative, and welcoming. From my first day I felt
comfortable and included, as everyone was friendly and approachable.
The staff were always willing to have conversations, answer my questions,
and explain tasks clearly, which helped me learn more and feel confident
in the workplace. Their supportive attitude created a relaxed and
professional environment, making it easier for me to settle in and enjoy
my placement. My work placement was partly relevant to what I am
learning in my FA Accountancy course. Some of the things I learned at my
work placement were not covered in class, but it was still good to learn
them as it helped me understand how accounting works in a real
workplace. There were also some tasks that were very similar to what we
do in class, and because of this I was able to complete the work
confidently.
During my placement at TaxAssist I gained practical accounting
knowledge that helped me understand how accounting works in a real
business. I developed skills in basic bookkeeping, checking financial
information and more. I also learned more about tax-related work,
including how information is prepared for self-assessment tax returns and
what counts as allowable expenses. Throughout my placement I also got
to have a look at accounting softwares they used such as Dext, Xero and
FreeAgent. For example, Dext was used to upload, review and organise
receipts and invoices making sure they were correctly categorised. Xero
was also used to view client accounts, check transactions, and understand
how financial data is recorded. The placement improved my confidence by
allowing me to apply accounting concepts in a real working environment.
Tasks like reviewing financial records and understanding how they
contribute to tax returns are a good example of what would be used. This
experience made accounting feel more straightforward and increased my
confidence in using what I’ve learned outside the classroom.
