New ATT President vows to work with employers to open up pathways into tax profession

Natalie Miller, who works at PwC in the Tax Knowledge & Innovation Group, succeeded Yvette Nunn on April 1st as ATT President.

Speaking at her inaugural President’s reception at the British Film Institute, Natalie Miller elaborated:

“The ATT prides itself on being an accessible qualification, and I feel our profession needs to enhance the way in which we support employers and individuals, where people want to come into tax after a career break or as a second career.

“In my own case, I started working at KPMG as a temporary secretary, after I’d started a family, and my interest in moving to tax was sparked by the enthusiasm of my then tax manager. However, I was only able to convert that interest into reality, and sit my ATT exam in the year of my 30th birthday, because of the willingness of the firm to support my transferring into the tax team and to pay for me to sit my exams. My ATT letters were the first ones I was able to put after my name and I remain extremely proud of them and grateful to the employers who were willing to take a gamble on me.

“It can be difficult, and expensive, for firms to take on someone who hasn’t come through the ‘standard’ route, particularly when that individual has financial responsibilities which will mean they need more than an intern’s wage. However, those very responsibilities mean that such people have a greater commitment to making the role change work and a desire to prove themselves. Having rightly focused on the routes in for the youngest, we’re going to be looking at ways in which we can support those coming to tax later and those coming back to tax after a career break.

“I have had tremendous support from PwC and the ATT really couldn’t function without such firms being willing to aid their people in supporting us. I do think it’s a hugely valuable three-way process. Employers have access to a forum where issues of mutual interest can be identified and they have the opportunity to contribute to our thinking on exams and career development. Individuals have the opportunity to develop a range of technical, business and networking skills which will enhance their own career and their capabilities back in the office. The ATT is also able to check its understanding of tax issues with those ‘at the coalface’. As such, I will use my time in office to campaign for the spread and strengthening of these relationships so that more people are given the opportunity to transition into tax.”

Notes for editors

1. A former Chairman of the Association's Student Steering Group, Natalie still serves on this group as well as the Joint Branches Sub-Committee and the Chartered Institute of Taxation (CIOT) Exam Review Committee. She has also served two terms as Chairman of East Anglia Branch. She is also a member of the CIOT Council.
2. Michael Steed became Natalie’s deputy on the same day. Ralph Pettengell has also been confirmed as the ATT’s new Vice President after the Association’s Council meeting in December 2013.

Technical Team