An endangered species

When I worked in tax in the 1990s the average make up of the direct tax departments in the profession was roughly 50% ex-Inland Revenue and 50% graduate trainees. Then when I moved into recruitment many junior candidates were former tax officers (TOs) and tax officer higher grades (TOHGs). They had a background in Schedule E and D work and had joined the Revenue as school leavers or graduates.

Tax officers had to complete exams and were actively involved in technical work. As they were paid considerably less than their counterparts in the profession it was easy to get them a significant pay rise when helping them make their first move to an accountancy firm. These grades have been replaced by Revenue executives and clerical staff reflecting the considerable changes in Revenue processes and increased automation such as online filing of returns.

Revenue trained

Eric...