Case studies : Graduate trainee, tax depreciation: Adam

Adam graduated in 2008 with a degree in accounting for management from Aston University. He now works in the Tax Depreciation Department at Deloitte.

I studied for a degree in accounting for management at Aston University and, as part of the compulsory placement year, I applied to the tax depreciation group within Deloitte. After spending 13 months in my role, prior to returning to university, I applied to return as a graduate and rejoined Deloitte in September 2008.

I work in the Tax Depreciation department which is a sub-group of the tax service line. Tax depreciation is a form of tax saving that an organisation can obtain when they incur expenditure on items of qualifying plant and machinery. This group is one of the largest specialist tax depreciation/capital allowances practices of its kind in the UK and my job involves preparing capital allowances claims for a wide range of clients which are then submitted to HM Revenue & Customs.

One of the highlights of my role is working across a variety of clients and surveying various buildings around the UK. A site survey involves attending a client’s site and recording notes and photos of the property and the assets within it. This survey is then utilised in the preparation of the capital allowances report. Within my role I have been fortunate enough to a work across a wide variety of sites including airports, office buildings, a food processing factory and numerous car dealerships.

In addition to my job, I am also involved in the Birmingham Office’s Social Committee and Disability Sports Committee. Deloitte are also proud to be the Official Professional Services Provider to LOCOG, organisers of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympics Games.  As part of this, we will be supporting it’s delivery by providing expert people and advice in addition to backing some of our sportspeople through the Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme. 

As part of Deloitte’s development programme, I study for the Association of Chartered Accountants qualification exam at Kaplan in Birmingham. In total, there are 15 exams, of which I gained exemptions for six after completing an accounting degree at Aston University. Exams are generally sat in groups of three and involve study at college and self-study while at work.