Returning to work

Returning to work

It is not uncommon for professionals to take a career break at some point in their working lives for numerous reasons, such as:

  • Maternity, paternity, or adoption leave, or to support with childcare.
  • To take care of elderly or ill family members, or due to personal illness.
  • To take a sabbatical, eg to enjoy period of time overseas or get involved in another career all together.

Equally, you may have found yourself unemployed following a redundancy or might be considering coming back from early retirement because you enjoy the challenge of working life. Others might be looking to generate more income due to changes in their personal circumstances.

Whatever it is that has prompted you to consider returning to work, whether as an employee or to set up in practice these pages are for you!

The ATT is a great resource for anyone wanting to get back into tax. By getting involved with your local branch you can attend seminars and undertake CPD both online and in person to help update your network and your tax knowledge. You could even consider qualifications, such as the ATT's four Foundation Qualifications in Personal Tax, Business Tax, VAT Compliance, and Transfer Pricing, or the CIOT's new Diploma in Tax Technology. These are all great ways to reboot your CV and are all available online, so you can study them in a flexible way to fit around your other commitments. 

The ATT offers a reduced subscription rate for members not working or on low incomes.  For more details see Fees and Subscriptions.

If you have a personal story about your return to work experience, do get in touch, we’d be delighted to hear from you. 

If you would like to speak to a member of the team please email us with 'Returning to Work' in the subject header.

Resources for Returners to Work

If you have been on an (extended) break from work you may not be aware of the latest CIOT/ATT Continuing Professional Development (CPD) requirements. Do familiarise yourself with the latest regulations and guidance which are available here. 

The CPD regulations apply to members who: 

  • 1.2.2. Work providing taxation services (which includes complementary accounting and legal services) including, without limitation, those in private practice, the public sector, commerce, industry or not for profit sector; or; 

  • 1.2.2 do not fall in paragraph 1.2.1 above but who use the designation, CTA, CTA (Fellow), ATII, FTII, Chartered Tax Adviser, ATT, Taxation Technician, ATT (Fellow), Taxation Technician (Fellow) or ADIT.” 

You should assess and perform such CPD as is appropriate to your duties. 

You may have suspended CPD whilst temporarily not working, though some members will continue to have undertaken CPD during this period to maintain their skills.  In either case upon returning to work the CPD guidance suggests the following approach: 

  • 10.5.2 After any break a member must bring their knowledge sufficiently up to date to resume activities. In order to minimise the impact, we suggest that members consider whether they are going to maintain CPD throughout the period when they are temporarily not working or undertake a more intensive CPD programme on returning to work as either approach is acceptable. If taking up a new role a member should consider whether any additional CPD will be required to enable them to carry out their duties effectively” 

It is a membership requirement to maintain records of all CPD undertaken and keep this record up to date.  There is a useful form to help with this. 

The CPD guidance provides information on the wide range of activities that count as CPD. We recommend that you review section 9 so you may accurately identify and record all the relevant CPD you undertake.  

If you have any queries on your CPD requirements as a ‘returner to work’ please contact us.

We are delighted that we will shortly be launching a programme to support members who are in their first six to twelve months back at work in a professional services or in-house professional role after a break (e.g. following a secondment, illness, caring, parental or adoption leave etc.) Its aim is to support members to get back into their professional groove through the building of both confidence and momentum.

The Returners 2 Work Programme in a nutshell

This is a six-month programme, combining in-person and online group sessions, group and peer coaching, and the support of a community of fellow returners, for those who want to rebuild their momentum and their mojo after a period away from their role in tax. 

Why are we doing this?

Returning to a role after a period of absence can be challenging and disorientating.  Far too many returners find it difficult to regather momentum or recalibrate their direction and can often lose their confidence in the process.   But this does not need to be their experience and, whilst the organisations in which these people work have a responsibility to address these challenges, there is also room for external support; through access to a community of individuals with shared experience, career and personal development content and tools focused on returning to work in tax, and coaching.  The Association and the Institute are stepping into this space through launching this new programme, which is part of the wider Returners 2 Work programme, an initiative launched by the Joint CIOT/ATT Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Committee.

Who is the programme for?

The programme is aimed at individuals returning, or who have recently returned, to their role in tax following a period of absence (which could be as little as a few months or as long as a few years) for reasons that might include parental leave, caring, secondment or health.  This can also include those returning to a tax role following a career break where they have already secured/ commenced a new role.

Further information on the small group programme for potential participants (register your interest here https://forms.office.com/e/jA6tg90UFm?origin=lprLink)

What will the programme cover?

The overall content and timetable is being worked on and will take into account responses to a survey on experiences or returning to work, the themes from which will be shared in the online launch event for this programme on 18 February 2025.  However, the broad framework is likely to include the following:

Month 1 - Kick-off workshop

  • Your small group cohort
  • Understanding the potential challenges
  • The two Ms - momentum and mojo
  • Recalibrating career direction - what success looks like for you and the choices you have
  • Priorities, boundaries and expectations
  • Your strengths, skills and experience
  • Peer coaching set-up and launch
  • Your 6 month plan

Month 2 - Momentum - getting the support and opportunities you need

  • Your supporting cast and crew
  • Asking for help
  • Broadening your connections

Month 4 - Mojo

  • In and out of work - your whole self
  • Confidence and identity
  • Dealing with doubt

Month 6 - 6 month review

  • Celebrating successes
  • Taking stock
  • Resetting/ recalibrating
  • The next 6 months
  • Re-contracting for ongoing peer coaching (if desired)

When will the sessions run?

We are aiming for the programme to begin in March or April 2025.  We are collecting expressions of interest in the programme and, as part of this, we will determine the timing that will work best for the different types of session.

What is the time commitment for the programme?

The time commitment for the programme, over 6 months is 19 hours, comprising the following:

  • Workshops - 7 hours
  • Check-ins - Up to 6 hours (12 x 30 mins if join all)
  • Peer coaching - 6 hours

Will I be able to watch a recording if I can’t make a session?

It is unlikely that we will be recording the content given that programme participants will likely be opening up about their own experiences.

Should I let my organisation know I’m participating?

You don’t have to do this but we think it is a good idea, particularly as an early way to open up dialogue with your team, managers and leaders about the support that you may be needing in your return.

Who is leading the programme?

The programme is designed and led by Ruth Punter, a coach, facilitator and Chartered Tax Adviser working with teams, professionals and entrepreneurs to ignite and fire-up their personal, career, leadership and business goals. 

(register your interest here https://forms.office.com/e/jA6tg90UFm?origin=lprLink)

For more information or if you would like to talk about the Small Group Workshop Programme please contact:

Emma Barklamb, Head of Member Services ATT/CIOT

[email protected]

Ruth Punter

[email protected] +447828 219952  coaching.rhpcoach.com

Returners 2 Work - insights on the opportunities and challenges of returning to work after a break - Tuesday 18 February 2025 12:30 - 13:30 

Join us for an online free session where we will share insights into the challenges and opportunities typically faced by those returning to tax roles after a break.  Register for the free online event here https://cvent.me/0Z5w0x

This event is aimed at those who are about to return, or have recently returned, to a professional services or in house role, at those who have experience as a returner, or in supporting others in their return, and are interested in hearing or adding to this insights from our survey, or if you are a line manager/team leader who would like to hear more about this topic and how you can support your people.

We would love to hear your experiences of returning to work! If you are interested in participating in the survey that Ruth Punter, the lead for our small group workshops has prepared, please follow the link here https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe3jXPtyDtQv5jN3Wn9RN0U66hJbMUZ4eLVB60N8PtpGgSG5A/viewform