7 myths about working in tax (and what our colleagues really think)

Our Tax colleagues Eline, Florence, and Wout debunk the most persistent myths about their profession. Here's what they had to say.

Discover what a career in tax looks like for BDO
Tax colleagues
Let’s get the obvious out of the way. When most people picture a career in tax, the image is … not always thrilling. Grey suits. Endless spreadsheets. A quiet office where the most exciting thing that happens all week is a new version of the tax code landing on your desk. It’s an image that’s been around for decades, which is a shame because the reality looks nothing like that. 

So we decided to put it to the test. We asked Florence Winkin (Junior Manager), Wout Van Poucke (Senior Consultant) and Eline Van den Brande (Junior Manager) from our Tax team to react to the most common myths about their jobs. 

In this article, we’ll dig a little deeper into what working in tax truly involves – and what it definitely doesn’t. 

The personality question

Let’s jump right in with the biggest cliché: tax people are introverts. Quiet types who prefer numbers to people and would rather sit alone at their desk than talk to a client. 

Our colleagues’ reaction? Something between a laugh and an eyeroll. 

The reality at BDO is a team full of different personalities – introverts, extroverts, and everything in between. It’s what helps us work better, because different perspectives lead to sharper advice. 

What’s more, the profession is actively evolving. With AI taking over more of the technical, repetitive tasks, the human side of tax consulting (connecting with clients, building trust, explaining complex matters in plain language) is becoming more important than ever.  

The image problem

Tax = grey suits and stiff handshakes. It’s the kind of assumption that probably made sense 20 years ago. 
In 2026, it’s firmly in the past. 

Here, you won’t find any dress code or corporate stiffness. Colleagues interact informally and dress how they feel comfortable, bringing their full selves to work. When you’re visiting a client, you keep it professional - but to us that’s just common sense, not a rulebook. And even then, most clients aren’t wearing suits and ties themselves. 

Our culture is built on openness, flexibility and genuine support. Whether you’re a junior who’s been at BDO for three months or a partner who’s been around for most of their career, there’s room for feedback and to be yourself. 

The daily reality

If the personality and culture myths are the most stubborn, the ones about the work itself are the most widespread. Let’s unpack a few together: 

“You need to know all tax legislation by heart”

Thankfully, no. And our colleagues where unanimous on this one. 

Tax is a vast, complex and constantly changing field. Nobody – not even the most experienced partner – has it all memorised. What matters is knowing where to find the right information, from the right source. You build a strong legal foundation over time, and you develop the instinct to navigate the landscape efficiently. But the idea that you need to have the entire tax code in your head before you can be effective? That’s simply not how it works. 

“Tax is just working in Excel all day”

Excel is part of the toolkit, not the whole job. 

A typical day in Tax at BDO involves interpreting client questions, researching legislation, writing memos, discussing cases within the team and communicating conclusions clearly to clients. It's collaborative, constantly changing and draws on both legal reasoning and analytical thinking. In fact, the team brings together both law graduates and economist profiles (amongst others), which tells you something about how varied the work really is. 

“Consultants only make PowerPoint” 

This one got a good laugh from our colleagues. The image of consultants spending all day perfecting slide decks is a classic, but it’s not quite right. 

Yes, presentations happen (mostly for internal training sessions and seminars, not so much for clients). But the real work is about direct client contact and good communication. Whether it’s a slide, a memo, or a conversation, the form of your advice matters far less than how clearly you explain something and how well you understand what the client needs. 

The uncomfortable questions 

Personality and culture aside, there are two questions that keep coming back in every conversation about consulting careers. Let’s dig a little deeper. 

“Consultants have no work-life balance”

Tax has busy seasons, that’s no secret. But the idea that consultants don’t have a personal life is outdated, and at BDO, it’s actively managed. 

Teams plan workload together through weekly check-ins on capacity. If your plate is full, you flag it. Our work culture is based on transparency and trust. Children, hobbies, sport training and downtime – it all fits, as long as the communication is open and honest. 

“You can only have an impact when you’re a senior”

In some firms, maybe. At BDO, juniors have a seat at the table from day one. 

They join client meetings, participate in calls and take ownership of cases, always with the right support form a manager or partner, but never on the sidelines. It’s how you learn the fastest and how you start building the client relationships and professional instincts that define a strong tax career. 

Career at BDO

So what does a career in tax at BDO offer?

Now that we've stripped away the myths, here's what's left:

Tax consulting at BDO is varied

You work across departments, teaming up with Audit, Corporate Finance, VAT and Transfer Pricing colleagues. You advise clients on everything from M&A due diligence to R&D tax incentives.

Tax consulting at BDO is collaborative

The team atmosphere is supportive, not competitive. Colleagues help each other, coach each other and see each other outside of work.

Tax consulting at BDO is personal

From day one, you're involved. You're in the room, on the call, working directly with clients and learning from experienced colleagues who want to see you grow.

Tax consulting at BDO is forward-looking

With tools like BDO AIssist and Copilot already embedded in daily workflows, the firm is investing in technology that makes your work smarter.

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Your questions about a career in tax – FAQ

Working as a consultant in tax means advising businesses on complex tax matters, from compliance and reporting to strategic optimisation. At BDO, the work is collaborative and varies: you team up with colleagues across departments, work with clients from different industries and deal with legislation that’s constantly evolving. It’s intellectually stimulating, people-oriented and far removed from the “solitary number-cruncher” stereotype.

No. What matters is knowing how to navigate the landscape. Where to find the right information, how to interpret it and how to apply it to a client’s situation. You build a strong foundation over time, but the real skill is in research and analysis, not memorisation.

Not if you enjoy variety, problem-solving and working with people. Tax consulting involves legal interpretation, client advisory, cross-functional collaboration and continuous learning. The legislation changes regularly; the cases are different every time and the work requires both analytical rigour and strong communication skills.

Not at all! Tax teams bring together a wide range of personalities. At BDO, client interaction starts early and is a core part of the role. With AI handling more routine tasks, the human side of the profession (relationship-building, clear communication, creative problem-solving…) is becoming more important than ever.

Excel is one of many tools. A typical day also involves legal research, memo writing, team discussions and direct client communication. Tax teams often include both legal and economist profiles, reflecting the breadth of the work.

Flexibility, meticulousness and strong communication skills are key. You need to adapt your rhythm across busy and quieter periods, think things through thoroughly before delivering advice, and explain complex matters clearly to clients. A legal or economics background is a solid starting point, but plenty of successful tax professionals come from other disciplines too.

Tax consulting has its busy seasons, but balance is achievable. Especially in a team that manages workload transparently. At BDO, teams coordinate capacity weekly, and there’s genuine flexibility to combine work with your personal life. Open communication is the main ingredient.

At BDO, yes. Junior colleagues join client meetings and calls from day one, take ownership of cases and contribute to real decisions. They’re always supported by more experienced colleagues, but they’re never sidelined.