RSM Review

Between August and 31 January the race was on to complete all of our clients tax returns before the January deadline. This meant two things; firstly, it was in my colleagues interest to help me learn and to ensure that I had the skills needed to do the work given to me. Secondly, it created a fast paced atmosphere with the excitement of a deadline approaching. Following January until around the end of May the placement became very slow as there was not the quantity of work needed to keep everybody busy. This meant that I spent a lot of my time doing more admin based tasks. However, on the whole I very much enjoyed the placement and would recommend it to anyone who was interested.

When I joined the team it was on the precipice of change. Following my arrival, three members of staff left and were subsequently replaced, therefore I felt properly like one of the team and not somebody who had joined 'a family'. However, I have no doubt that I would have had as good a relationship wih my colleagues even if I had have joined them when they were a closely knit group. On a few occasions there has been tension involving other teammates, none involving myself, which has made things awkward but, on the whole, it has been a fun experience working with my colleagues.

From day one I was given the support needed to further my skills, with the ability to ask questions no matter how small without bothering any colleagues. Even now, nearing th end of my placement, the team are still happy to answer any queries I have.

I have experienced two very different periods in my time. From September-November I had the perfect balance of work, finding myself busy but not overwhelmed. In December and January, with the approaching 31 January deadline, we often found ourselves working late to complete the work we had which, although this was fun, meant we were very busy. Following January until about the end of April the work was very quiet with barely anything to do which was probably worse than having too much to do before January. From May the work has been the perfect balance with enough, but not too much, to do.

Taking into consideration that tax is a very complicated thing where, no matter how long you've worked in tax you still have so much you don't know, all projects that I do are reviewed by a colleague (as is standard procedure for everybody). However this, if anything, has allowed me to have greater responsibility and to complete complex work. I have been able to test myself and this has led to me continuing to learn. The only time when this wasn't so was Febuary-April when I was doing more admin tasks. However I had to do a couple of mail merges which were greatly important.

The skills I have learned with regards to working in a team and being respectable towards others will assist me in my degree and in life, however the actual tax knowledge I have learnt will not be of too much use. It would have been of no use however I have been allowed onto a taxation module where I can put my knowledge to the test.

The atmosphere is very kind and friendly with everybody getting along, departments often work alongside each other as they share clients or different expertise are needed in a project. There are also several opportunities to socialise with colleagues outside of work, for instance the Young Professionals evening in Brighton (which is essentially a free bar and is great fun to meet other people who work in similar industries).

The placement has been incredibly well set up. I am the third placement student that RSM's personal tax team have had so they know what to expect from me and where to give me guidance. The colleagues have all been very warming and I have been given the same tasks and responsibilites as they have. I would recommend the placement at RSM to anyone, especially if they want a placement where they will be challenged and not given the chance to just doss a year away.

I started working at the same time as a school leaver who had joined the company permanently and we were both given the same treatment. As she began her exams and developed her knowledge it meant that I would have the more admin based jobs when they arose however we generally had the same workload and responsibility as each other. The company always wanted me to learn and develop my skills in tax rather than just using me for photocopying.

The placement is like a 12 month job interview. If you work hard and get along with the team then it is likely that you will be given the opportunity to join the team when you leave university. Were it not for the fact that I wish to spend a year travelling following the completion of my degree I would definitely like to, and imagine i would be offered the chance to, rejoin the company. As it will be two years before I am able to rejoin RSM I'm not sure if an agreement will be made but I would have no qualms with becoming a permanent member of the tax team and facing the exams.

The social opportunities were not in abundance during my time at RSM. As people tend to commute to the office it meant that people would much prefer to go home rather than stay near the office for a bit longer. However, during my time, I have had the chance to go to Young Professionals in Brighton (essentially a free bar), go karting, a table football tournament helf by a local law firm, christmas and summer parties, quiz nights and a few trips to the pub.

I stayed in Brighton while I was on placement. Much preferred to Crawley which is not especially nice where there aren't a whole lot of things to do.

Apparently Crawley's nightlife is dreadful, I wouldn't want to go out there.

The social opportunities were not in abundance during my time at RSM. As people tend to commute to the office it meant that people would much prefer to go home rather than stay near the office for a bit longer. However, during my time, I have had the chance to go to Young Professionals in Brighton (essentially a free bar), go karting, a table football tournament helf by a local law firm, christmas and summer parties, quiz nights and a few trips to the pub.