Posted: 30 Jul. 2018 7 min. read

Return to Work: How I restarted my Tax career after an 18 year break

Following an extended career break, Judith was excited to return to her career in Tax through Deloitte’s Return to Work programme. Read how Deloitte supported her transition back into the workplace and how she works in a flexible way that suits her.

Tell us your return to work story…

I qualified as an accountant in 1994. I was a manager at PWC’s Glasgow office when I had my daughter and went back three days a week after four months of maternity leave. When my son was born in 2000 I decided to take an indefinite break from work. I had our third child in 2003, and we relocated to Amsterdam for five years in 2007.

My children are obviously much more independent now so I decided I wanted to return to work. I was really excited (and proud!) when I secured a place on Deloitte’s Return to Work programme. I was a bit nervous that first day, but it was lovely to meet my fellow returners. Everyone had an interesting story and all had nerves too - which was reassuring. We quickly bonded and have been a great source of support for one another ever since.

I’m now doing a permanent role in the tax department in Deloitte’s Glasgow office.

How have you found it returning after such a long time away from the workplace?

Without exception everyone in my department has been friendly, helpful and welcoming so I feel a real part of the team. In terms of gaps in my knowledge, tax legislation changes so frequently that a break of even 12 months would need a refresh. It was inevitable that training would be needed but a lot of the basic knowledge has come flooding back.

What has helped enormously is that I’ve returned at a more junior grade so others’ expectations of me are more akin to those of a newly qualified accountant.

What do you enjoy most about your role?

It’s really varied – no two days are the same. I have worked on all sorts of projects from the tax audit of a bank, to marketing opportunities and preparing training sessions for a bank’s tax department.

The flexibility is great too - I work four days a week, finishing at 5pm. That enables me to still be there for my children. I‘ve worked from home a few times – but I prefer to work in the office; I like the company!

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