A member’s view: Garima Gupta

How did you find out about a career in tax?

When I was exploring which qualification to pursue to change my career, I settled on the ATT to be the best qualification amongst all other accounting qualifications to enter and grow rapidly in the tax domain in the UK. Many people still don’t know about ATT, and confuse it with a similarly named very famous accounting qualification but I believe that makes it unique and niche.

Why is the ATT qualification important?

ATT recognises you as a logical person with reasoning ability and someone who will be hands on from day one of working in a tax role. Completing the ATT qualification stands out on your resume, throwing a lot of career opportunities your way. You feel empowered and independent while working on tax roles which every employer will like.

Why did you pursue a career in tax?

I like things that challenge me to harness my potential. Having explored tax qualifications, ATT ticked a number of boxes while simultaneously offering a niche, respectable work profile with a lot of growth potential. Additionally, I am fortunate to be in a role where we work on the intertwined tax laws of two countries, making it ever interesting and challenging with no place for the word ‘boring’.

How would you describe yourself in three words?

Disciplined, proactive and ethical.

Who has influenced you in your career so far?

There is no single name to this answer as I have always been influenced by people who are articulate and have strong command in their domain, be it in the workplace, society or family. So far in my tax career, I have been greatly influenced by the advisory skills of one of my seniors, something which I aspire and aim to reach one day.

What advice would you give to someone thinking of doing the ATT qualification?

This may be one of the best thoughts you ever have. On a serious note, ATT is power packed, covering what you need to know to prepare for a role in tax in a relatively short span of time. This is achievable if you are totally committed and on top of the course and exams. Tax has wider horizons with no limits to growth and one can choose between multiple domains depending on what best suits your personality.

What are your predictions for tax advisers and the tax industry in the future?

Franklin rightly said, ‘In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.’ The tax industry is ever growing, and no AI can replace it due to the real-life challenges and variable situations of clients. It is always an exciting and evolving domain.

What advice would you give to your future self?

Keep growing and widening your knowledge. Never stop learning as the day you stop learning, you are obsolete.

Tell me something about yourself that others may not know about you.

Tax is the second innings of my career, having lived one career already. I am a doctorate in Finance and have taught students in university for 14 years. A teacher is always learning, and this background has helped me to easily transition and foster myself into tax where learning also never ends.