Back the way we came?

With the market for experienced tax professionals becoming ever more competitive a number of interesting trends are developing across professional service firms.

Ten years ago professional service firms paid their tax professionals significantly less than their in-house counterparts. Benefits were often non-existent or limited to basic car allowances and private health cover. However in a desire to be more competitive and to retain key talent not only are basic salaries becoming more competitive but benefits packages too are now much more attractive.

Today these will often include bonuses more generous allowances insurances and flexible benefits options that give employees a greater degree of choice on how they shape their remuneration. Family friendly options and other work-life balance choices such as flexible working patterns sabbaticals extended leave and childcare vouchers are all becoming increasingly available and are seen by a lot of...