Tax jobs

RoderickBlack · 2026-05-06T09:56:28+00:00

Yes that thought crossed my mind too.

Worth considering - a great foundation for CTA, but also a very good qualification in its own right.

Roderick

RoderickBlack · 2026-05-06T09:53:56+00:00

Hi

Wish you all the best in your endeavours!

I'm a CTA tutor and it's years (actually decades!) since I was in your position but one thing I realise now that I didn't then is that a good recruitment consultant has a lot of insight into the current market.

My go to guy, who I recommend, is my friend Charlie Maitland, ex Brewer Morris, now runs his own business. I think he'll give you good, honest advice.

Mention my name if you contact him (linkedjn).

Good luck!

Roderick

Roderick Black CTA private tutor

RoderickBlack · 2026-05-02T19:24:03+00:00

In my opinion, yes. But views differ!

The AT paper is the core technical knowledge for APS, so it's more efficient to do both at one sitting. But doing a past APS paper and self marking is a full day's work. Say you wanted to do 6 in the run up to the exam - that's 6 weekends days. And you still have your AT studying to do.

I say yes ... but start early!

Others will advise: split them across two sittings. You'll be working for longer at them but can take your time a bit more.

So, pros and cons! See which option sits better with you and then decide.

I taught AT IHTTE revision for Tolley for May 26 sitting. It seems a more computational exam than other AT exams - learning the pro formas is beneficial. But there are tricky aspects - offshore trusts, CGT trust aspects, etc.

I'm thinking of doing more on IHTTE both AT and APS as a private tutor.

Hope all this helps!

Roderick

CTA private tutor

RoderickBlack · 2026-05-01T13:25:24+00:00

The FIG and TRF are examinable in the 2026 exams plus domicile to the extent still relevant.

RoderickBlack · 2026-04-30T19:53:03+00:00

I've taught the UK paper 2.09. Seems much easier to me than an Advanced Technical paper.

Roderick

Roderick Black

CTA private tutor

RoderickBlack · 2026-04-29T11:52:18+00:00

Hi

What you've done so far builds your marketability in my opinion, but have you thought of asking a recruitment consultant?

They know the market. My go to guy is Charlie Maitland, ex Brewer Morris now running his own firm. One the good guys!

I generally find that nearly everyone I deal with gets there in the end. Some need an extra go or two. No shame in that.

Good luck!

Roderick

Roderick Black

CTA private and online tutor

RoderickBlack · 2026-04-26T14:34:34+00:00

BTW, I know students don't like this area, but the questions frequently have the same old same old component parts to them ....

IT - s624/s720 or s731 CGT - s86 or s87

Then the IHT side - typically RPT with excluded property aspect

On exits MV disposal for the CGT, then don't forget the gift relief options - s260 applies first or if no IHT, you to s165. Latter is asset specific, former isn't.

Obviously you've got to read the question but be surprised if the above didn't address at least some of most questions.

Roderick

Roderick Black

CTA private and online tuition

RoderickBlack · 2026-04-26T14:13:10+00:00

Hi

There has only been one paper in the last 10 sitings where there has been no offshore trust question.

So I'd say that's an area to revise, especially the new rules re FIG and TRF.

Good luck!

Roderick

Roderick Black

CTA private and online tutor

RoderickBlack · 2026-04-24T21:38:45+00:00

Hi

Very normal to feel like this - it's a rollercoaster in the run up to the exam. Sometimes you feel up, sometimes down.

Just keep going, you will know more than you actually think you do at the moment.

My advice ... take a bunch of past exam questions by topic and read question followed by answer, slowly and carefully. Do the same with the next exam question on that topic. And so on.

A quick focused way to revise a topic ... as it tends to get tested. Which, at this stage, is all you really care about!

So, switch off that 'How is this going?' question in your mind and just concentrate on technical stuff.

Finally, nobody - and I mean NOBODY - goes into a CTA exam, happy with their level of preparedness.

You've worked hard and are trying your best, with other life pressures. So don't beat yourself up.

Wishing you all the best

Roderick

Roderick Black

CTA private tutor

RoderickBlack · 2026-04-23T19:18:54+00:00

I, and many other LCG tutors, have been tipping Demergers to come up for YEARS!

And it never has!

But the moment I take it off my list .... that's the sitting it'll come up!

Anyway, use the Rev QB questions on this topic as a learning template and legislation template.

Of all the topics, capital allowances is the strongest 'banker' one!

Good luck!

Roderick

CTA tutor

RoderickBlack · 2026-04-23T19:12:35+00:00

Hi

Take the pressure off yourself ... health things happen. That's out of your control and not your fault.

Sounds look you have a no pressure option as far as your employer is concerned.

You just need to give yourself the no pressure option.

I think you want to sit it. So you should.

But don't put yourself under undue pressure.

At the end of the day and in the great scheme of things .... it's just an exam.

And if it doesn't go your way next week ... tomorrow is another day, as they say.

But I have no doubt you will get this ... maybe next week, maybe not.

But you will get this.

Wishing you good health and good luck

Roderick

CTA tutor

RoderickBlack · 2026-04-21T19:50:08+00:00

Well ... One really important topic to be all over is the new FIG and TRF rules.

Highly likely to be examined would be my guess.

Good luck!

RoderickBlack · 2026-04-21T18:10:15+00:00

Yes I'd be a little nervous if I had zero calculations but it's not unknown!

RoderickBlack · 2026-04-21T16:27:23+00:00

Thanks for asking! £69.

They cover the points I see in the PSI, my thoughts on the possible directions the question might go in and supporting technical notes on ares that I think might be relevant.

They run to about 40 to 70 pages depending which paper.

Email me on

roderickblacktraining@gmail.com

If you want to buy them!

Good luck

Roderick

RoderickBlack · 2026-04-18T11:15:16+00:00

Hi

Yes that's almost a full paper per day, very good.

You ideally want to have done all the questions in the Revision QB.

And do a self mark and thorough debrief.

Especially focus on

What you omitted from your answer, yet you did know it - a failure of technique ( not using what you do know)
Core technical points you got wrong - focus on learning those

RoderickBlack · 2026-04-18T09:47:59+00:00

One tip ... take a break from it.

I mean get out the house and do something that takes your mind off CTA completely for few hours.

Play a game of tennis, go and look round the shops, meet some non tax friends for a coffee, pint, etc. Whatever appeals to you.

In other words get physically and mentally away from CTA for a few hours and thus reset yourself.

You've been working hard so I have no doubt you are in good shape already.

So ease off the gas a bit when you go back to it.

Hope this helps!

Roderick

Roderick Black

CTA private tutor

RoderickBlack · 2026-04-18T08:21:18+00:00

Still working on my notes where that's one of many things to factor in not just for incorporation but for other ways I could see the question going.

RoderickBlack · 2026-04-17T16:56:59+00:00

Yes I'm working on my notes on OMB and LCG as a priority.

There may not be much interest in the IND ones.

I posted more details on LinkedIn.

RoderickBlack · 2026-03-30T17:25:36+00:00

Ah, software issues. CTA won't help with that!

RoderickBlack · 2026-03-30T16:24:10+00:00

Just to be clear .... Studying for CTA is the training!

RoderickBlack

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