A member’s view: Ele Theochari

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How long have you worked in tax and was it always with your current employer?

I’ve been working in tax since I left university in 2015, starting at Grant Thornton in corporate tax, then specialising in R&D at both Forrest Brown and PwC before joining Liberty Collins in 2020.

Why did you pursue a career in tax?

In my last year of university, I wasn’t settled on any role in particular. I went to see the careers advisor, who mentioned that accountancy more generally would suit my skill set as I enjoyed analytical, numbers-based roles. I then applied to a range of accountancy firm graduate schemes, and landed in direct taxes. I didn’t know what this meant at the time, but haven’t looked back since!

Why is the CTA qualification important?

The CTA qualification is considered the gold standard of tax qualifications and instantly shows to prospective clients and employers that you have a deep understanding of tax. I have also found that clients feel at ease when you mention that you’re Chartered as they know they’re in safe hands.

Studying towards the qualification teaches you how to consider the wider picture of any issue, and how to assimilate multiple pieces of information, which is a valuable skill.

How would you describe yourself in three words?

Personable, positive and hard-working.

What are the highlights of your career?

I have a few highlights so far, even though it’s only been a short time! Passing my ATT and CTA exams was such a huge achievement for me.

From very early on I wanted to be part of a start-up environment, so joining Liberty Collins and becoming a Director was another highlight.

My third highlight is being nominated as a finalist for the Tolley’s Taxation Awards 2022 Taxation's Rising Star award. The judges said there had been a record number of entries so I was over the moon!

What advice would you give to people starting off in their career?

Be curious, ask questions, and always go the extra mile. Your network is one of your biggest assets, so be someone that everybody wants to work with, and make genuine, long-lasting connections wherever you can as this will open doors throughout your career.

Finally, your career doesn’t have to be linear. If you want to take a less traditional route, there are so many skills you’ll pick up along the way, so take a risk!

What advice would you give to your future self?

Remember to enjoy every win, and don’t sweat the small stuff!