Sarah Winter

Sarah Winter - Corporate Tax Name: Sarah Winter

Current role: Tax Senior

Department: Corporate Tax

University: Exeter

Degree: LLB Law, LLM International Business Law

Joined: January 2006

I started my ACA (Associate Chartered Accountant) training contract with Smith & Williamson in January 2006, so I could work for a mid-tier firm where I’d be more than just a number. Compared to all the jobs I applied for, the recruitment process here was the most personal and I got to chat with the current trainees, who genuinely enjoyed their job and liked the firm.

As a graduate trainee in corporate tax, I work on a large number of corporate client projects. I deal with the day-to-day corporation tax compliance and get involved with advisory and more complicated tax issues as they arise. I’m studying for my ACA, which has helped my work in the corporate tax department. It’s not just the best accountancy qualification, but the knowledge of accounting treatments and general business strategy has been invaluable.

In general though, being given exposure to all areas of the compliance process means that I can keep up with when and how we should be offering advice to our clients. Everyone is willing to help each other out and it’s not just work to us. We socialise together a lot and are close with members of other departments, so it’s not your normal 9 to 5 job. Hours are longer if they need to be, but there’s also a certain degree of flexibility. Everyone appreciates that, when you are at college or should be revising, time needs to be spent studying and no unreasonable demands are put on your time.