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Ten years ago, it seemed so far-fetched that one day I’d be sharing such an update. It’s so surreal because to me it feels like yesterday when I took a leap of faith and embarked on my tax career journey. If you’re visiting my blog for the first, you can read the story of how I started my journey here: I gambled my way into a tax career. Below, I share lessons for each of the years that have led me to celebrating this milestone.
Year 1 – Just start
I vividly remember my first year as a tax professional – it was a whirlwind. After leaving my finance job, I couldn’t land a job, so I decided to take a leap of faith and start my own tax consulting business. I quickly realised that finding clients wasn’t going to be easy. It took a lot of networking, door-knocking, and even some cold calling to get my first few clients. But the payoff was huge when I finally started helping those first few clients navigate the tax system.
Year 2 – Believe in yourself
In my second year, I realised there was a big gap when it came to educating taxpayers. I saw this firsthand while helping a couple of entrepreneurs with their taxes. So, I decided to write a tax guide to help them out. It was a lot of work, but I’m really proud of the finished product. My first publication was in my second year as a tax professional and my second one came a year or so after that. Also that year, I started working with some major companies. It was a big step for my business, and I had to learn a whole lot about more complex tax issues. It was tough, but it helped me grow as a tax professional.
Year 3 – Adapt to new environments
My third year as a tax pro was a year of change. I finally got my first job offer as a tax consultant. It was a tough decision, but ultimately, I decided to stop running my own business and focus on this new opportunity. It took some getting used to, going from being my own boss to having a manager, but the change also came with some major benefits, like more resources and a steady paycheck. Switching to being an employee had its ups and downs, but it ultimately opened doors to new opportunities. I’m really glad I took that leap, even though it wasn’t an easy decision.
Year 4 – People are always watching
My fourth year in the tax world was a little crazy. I got approached by so many different companies, it was hard to know what to do. After struggling to get a job in my first year, the jobs were now coming for me. In the end, I decided to stay where I was to gain more experience. But, just as my fourth year was wrapping up, I got a LinkedIn message from a tax partner at one of the Big Four firms. This was the third time in the year being approached by a Big Four firm . It was totally unexpected, but super exciting – especially because it was a partner who reached out. It was time to grow and this was the right opportunity for me.
Year 5 – Be you
My fifth year was a total game-changer. I finally made the move to a Big Four firm! It was definitely a learning curve, coming from a boutique firm. The projects were bigger, the clients were bigger, and the whole experience was just on another level. There was definitely a learning curve, but the experience I gained at the Big Four firm was invaluable. It was totally worth it, and I’m so glad I made the jump. Overall, I learnt to bring the whole of me to a Big Four environment – my blogging and writing experience came in handy. I was surprised when I bumped into a partner (who wasn’t from my department) and they asked about my blog. Say what!
Year 6 – Growth is possible
My sixth year was a big one for my career – I grew in my role and in the breadth of projects. Not only did I get promoted to assistant manager, but I also started working in transaction/deals tax advisory on top of my regular business tax work. It was a lot to take on, but I learnt so much and it really helped me grow as a tax professional. I’m really proud of what I accomplished in my sixth year. That promotion was a big deal, and getting into transaction/deals tax opened up a whole new world of opportunities.
Year 7 – Taking a break is not the end of your career
My seventh year was all about taking a break and focusing on myself. I decided to step back from the craziness of the Big Four firm for a little while and work on my personal growth. It was a tough decision, but ultimately, it was one of the best things I’ve ever done for myself. During this time, I focused on some of my personal goals and mental health.
Year 8 – Try something different
My eighth year was a whirlwind. I got back but I switched roles and specialisations within the Big Four firm, which meant I was totally out of my comfort zone. It was sink or swim, but I learned so much about leadership and how to handle a ton of responsibility.
Year 9 – Navigate the deep-end
My ninth year was all about finding my feet in this new role which had also been switched up. It took some time, but I eventually got the hang of it. I learned a lot about myself and what I’m capable of. And I also worked alongside a great team which was a bonus.
Year 10 – Learn, unlearn and relearn
My tenth year was a rollercoaster. I moved from Zimbabwe to London, which was a huge change. On top of that, I switched from regular transfer pricing to specialising in financial services. It was really challenging, but I made it through. Looking back, my tenth year was a year of major change and growth. I’m really proud of how far I’ve come, and I can’t wait to see what the next ten years bring.
It’s a wrap!
And that’s a wrap on my first ten years as a tax professional. It’s been quite a journey, full of ups and downs. I’ve learned so much, and I’m really proud of how far I’ve come. I can’t wait to see what the next ten years bring.
