Rebecca Ferraro

What's your job about?

There are two broad streams to my job as a corporate tax consultant: compliance and advisory. Compliance involves managing clients’ tax affairs to ensure they are complying with their tax obligations. Advisory requires me to analyse the tax law in relation to a particular transaction or structure to determine the likely tax legal implications.

As a corporate tax consultant I am exposed to a variety of clients, structures and opportunities which creates a work environment that is diverse and fluid and allows me to work amongst a variety of work streams within the corporate tax department including mergers and acquisitions, superannuation funds, the private equity and wealth sector, and energy and natural resources.

What's your background?

I grew up in Canberra and moved to Melbourne at 18 to attend university.

In 2010, I commenced an Arts/Commerce double degree at Deakin University, and transferred into Law/Commerce after my first year.  My university experience was enriched through work experience roles at Victoria Legal Aid, suburban law firms, and in my role as an ambassador for my university.

The most important and memorable time during university was studying abroad in Copenhagen. This opportunity allowed me to study a foreign legal system, whilst immersing myself in a different culture and meeting a variety of people from all over the world.

In late 2014, I worked as a vacationer for KPMG Melbourne in the firm’s Transfer Pricing team. After this 8 week vacation period, I was offered a graduate position commencing in February 2016 in the Corporate Tax team.

Could someone with a different background do your job?

Yes – KPMG has a range of service lines that are suited for a variety of qualifications and interests. People within the tax division come from differnet backgrounds including Law, Commerce, Science, and Arts. Having a background in any of these degrees provides a strong foundation for the types of engagements that you encounter in tax.

What's the coolest thing about your job?

Tax provides exposure to a range of businesses and a broad cross section of different industries and clients. The workplace culture provides an inclusive and collaborate environment that makes working in the office an enjoyable experience.   

What are the limitations of your job?

Occasionally there are times when deadlines require that we work back a little late or clients require that we turn work around in a short period of time.

3 pieces of advice for yourself when you were a student...

1. Don’t stress and put so much pressure on yourself with respect to university grades because grades are not the most important factor in determining your career prospects;
2. Get as much exposure to different experiences and opportunities as possible in a range of industries;
3. Make the most of your university life and take the opportunity to travel and experience the world as much as you can.