PWC Tax

[no_name_brand]

Has anyone here worked at PWC tax (GTA region)? How did you find your experience? How were the hours (anything like audit)? How was your career progression/opportunities to progress?

[no_name_brand]

I know this sounds like yet another Big 4 thread, but I ask for good reason. I've been offered a position in tax and just wanted some actual feedback from anyone who had relevant experience.

[Lovable]

Intern/co-op or full-time?

[no_name_brand]

Full. Experienced hire.

[bbraganz]

depends on the type of tax. Hours are definitely not as bad as audit.

I posted a thread recently about the transition from audit to tax, but it seemed no one had anything of value to add.

But yes, big 4 tax hours are definitely better than big 4 audit hours. I have a buddy in tax right now, and hes complaining about the lack of work and that he has nothing to do......and its April lol. Also in tax, more often than not, they dont lend you out to different sections of the firm because some places are understaffed. In audit, if you think you have just completed a busy season and its time to shift back to normal hours, think again. You are disposable anywhere, and will be shafted to shittier clients with shittier hours.

Were you in audit before, and then got a position for tax? If you were, would you mind PM'ing me and letting me know details re: the transition?

Thanks

[tylaw83]

While I can't speak to the culture at that particular office, all big 4 tax groups operate in essentially the same way. You have a 1-2 month busy season for during which time you will work 50-60 hours. Your progression will be pretty structured (2-3 years at each position from analyst, senior analyst, manager, senior manager, partner). Growth usually depends on ability (technical as well as schmoozing skills) once you're at manager.

[Abel4Life]

What are the starting salaries in PWC? For Tax? for IT Securiity?

[apollom]

While I can't speak to the culture at that particular office, all big 4 tax groups operate in essentially the same way. You have a 1-2 month busy season for during which time you will work 50-60 hours. Your progression will be pretty structured (2-3 years at each position from analyst, senior analyst, manager, senior manager, partner). Growth usually depends on ability (technical as well as schmoozing skills) once you're at manager.

This is true for the compliance side of the business. If you're in Canadian corporate tax, you would be busy May/June (June 30th corporate filing deadline) and Jan/Feb (preparing/auditing tax provisions). If you are in the personal tax group, you would be busy March/April (30th April Canadian filing deadline, 15th April US filing/extension deadline).

If you are on the consulting side of the business, you work on tax projects (acquisitions, restructurings, financing). You will probably work more hours over the year on the consulting side, but there's no set busy season as it ebbs and flows depending on whats going on with your clients.

Progression is usually 2-3 years at each level. Technical is important, relationships and ability to sell become more important the higher you go.

Starting salaries in GTA for an experienced senior associate would be around $70-75k.

[jillaryit]

Really depends on which area of tax you'll be working with in terms of opportunities in the future.

The hours should never get to 70 hours per week. So it should be tolerable and easily manageable.

[RastaManMax]

Really depends on which area of tax you'll be working with in terms of opportunities in the future.

The hours should never get to 70 hours per week. So it should be tolerable and easily manageable.

Tolerable... LOL.