From law to tax: the (un)expected journey

Hello, thank you for accepting our invitation, we are sure that we will all benefit from your valuable insights shared throughout this interview. Firstly, tell us a little bit about yourself. What role do you currently hold within the company and what are your responsibilities?

Hello, thank you for the opportunity to be a part of the discussion!

Of course, I will start by saying that my current role within Forvis Mazars in Romania is that of Tax Manager. In my position, I oversee the delivery of tax services, helping clients navigate the complexities of tax laws, ensuring compliance and providing clarity regarding any changes that occur in the legislation. My primary focus is on building and maintaining strong relationships with my clients, understanding their business and requirements, in order to be able to provide them with tailored solutions in the tax field.

Another big part of my role is the fact that I oversee the development of a team. Thus, I provide guidance and mentorship to ensure their professional growth, through a collaborative environment where everyone is encouraged to contribute to the success of our clients.

How did your professional trajectory look up until now? What were the roles and challenges you took on during your journey?  

My professional journey in tax began shortly after I completed my studies in Law and Economics. As a Tax Consultant, I gained experience in tax compliance, preparing tax returns and assisting senior colleagues with more complex projects, such as due diligence and tax reviews. During this period, I developed a strong understanding of both local and international tax regulations and learned the importance of delivering accurate and timely advice to clients.

As I progressed in my career, I took on more responsibility for client-facing work and took the lead on some tax projects. This was a significant step in my development, as it gave me the opportunity to interact directly with clients, understand their business needs, and provide tailored tax solutions.

One of the challenges I faced during this time was managing multiple clients with diverse needs, all while staying updated on the fast and ever-evolving tax environment. This helped me learn how to prioritise and organise the projects efficiently.

Throughout my journey, I have learned that tax is not just about technical expertise; it’s about building strong relationships, anticipating clients’ needs and having a team you can rely on.

You are the owner of a law degree, received from the University of Bucharest. What were the motivational factors that played a role in your decision to pursue a law degree?

Looking back, I was always drawn to the analytical and problem-solving aspects of the law. Moreover, I enjoy thinking critically, breaking down complex situations, and finding the best path forward, which is exactly what tax is all about.

Another factor was the desire for a career that was both intellectually challenging and meaningful. Law offered the chance to work in a field that was dynamic and constantly evolving, especially with the rapid changes in tax regulations.

Ultimately, I can say that the need for constant learning and adaptation really motivated me.

If any, what are the similar aspects between law and tax? What makes it easy to navigate this transition and what are the key learnings that a law graduate can use in his tax career?

There are a lot of similarities between law and tax, given how both fields are structured around rules and regulations. In law, you are trained to think critically and analyse complex issues, which is also at the base of tax.

One of the most useful skills I carried over from my law degree is the ability to interpret legislation. In law, you learn to look at legal texts, analyse their meaning, and apply them to specific situations, which is essentially what you also do in consultancy. Tax laws are often complicated and interpreting them correctly is crucial. My legal background helped me approach these challenges.

Another key learning from law, that’s directly relevant to tax, is the importance of details. In both fields, small nuances can make a big difference in the outcome. Whether it’s understanding a clause in a contract or identifying a key provision in tax legislation, being thorough and detail-oriented is critical.

Also, law teaches you how to argue effectively and present information clearly, which is valuable also while working in tax. Whether you’re communicating with clients, colleagues, or tax authorities, the ability to explain complex matters in a straightforward way is essential.

What are the opportunities that the tax area offers to a law degree holder? What would be the positions that would best serve their knowledge and expertise?

There are actually a lot of great opportunities for law degree holders in the tax field. One of the biggest advantages is that tax law is essentially a branch of law itself. So, if you have a strong legal background, you're already ahead in understanding the complex legal principles that form the basis of tax regulations.

As a tax consultant, one would be able to use their legal skills to help clients face complex tax regulations and find solutions that work best for their specific needs. In such a role, a law degree holder would be advising clients in both domestic and international situations.

While it is not an unusual thing for a law student to pursue a career in tax, we can agree that it is not considered to be the traditional route. What was the reasoning behind you not choosing a career in the legal system to begin with?

When I first started studying law, I was drawn to the intellectual challenge of understanding how laws shape our society and businesses. But as I went through my studies, I realised that I was particularly interested in how laws, especially tax laws, apply to real-world scenarios, and how businesses are impacted.

I think the biggest reason I decided against a career in the traditional legal system, like litigation or becoming a lawyer in a courtroom, was that I felt more connected to the problem-solving aspect of tax law. I also felt that being a tax consultant allowed me to work more closely with businesses and clients, advising them on strategic decisions, rather than just focusing on legal proceedings.

Lastly, when doing interviews like this one, our aim is to first offer clarity and inspiration, especially to the future generation of young professionals. What would be a piece of advice that you can offer them when considering their future career and making choices that will define them?

If I could offer one piece of advice to young professionals, it would be to follow their curiosity and notunderestimate the value of relationships. I think learning from others in your field can be incredibly valuable, especially in fields like tax, where legislation is always evolving. So, I advise them to surround themselves with mentors and colleagues who challenge them, and to be open to their insights, as they can help you grow in ways you didn’t expect.

Thank you, Alexandra, for all your insights! I'm sure they will help guide the new generation of professionals, at the beginning of their careers.