Expertise with a lasting impact - Tax Expert Training

Teaching Methods

• Self-paced learning (asynchronous)

  Our program offers diverse teaching methods to help you develop professional expertise. A growing portion of the curriculum consists of self-paced learning modules that you can complete anytime, anywhere, providing maximum flexibility to fit your schedule. Important: This learning format requires strong self-motivation and discipline. You'll need to work through the asynchronous content independently to build the foundational knowledge essential for your professional development.

• Scheduled learning (synchronous learning)

  In addition to self-paced learning units, scheduled courses are also offered, either as in-person sessions on site or virtually via Zoom. These classes give you the opportunity to interact directly with lecturers, coaches, and fellow students. During the synchronous sessions, the foundations you have acquired are reinforced and applied in practice.

• Guidance from Expert Instructors and Coaches

  Each module is designed and guided by a team of experienced instructors and coaches with a strong practical focus. These recognised experts provide you with focused support in acquiring the competencies required for the demanding role of a Certified Tax Expert.

• Study Plans: Your Roadmap to Success

  For each module, you will receive a structured study plan that serves as your roadmap, answering key questions to guide your learning:

  • What are the core topics and concepts?

  • How does this knowledge apply to real-world professional situations?

  • What are the key learning objectives for this module?

  • Which learning materials and resources are provided?

  Your study plan is your personal guide throughout the program, providing a clear framework to help you organize and master your learning.

Testimonials

• Patricia Moser, M.Sc., Senior Associate Tax and Legal Services at PwC Liechtenstein, is currently completing her STEX studies
  

  1. How did you learn about the Swiss Certified Tax Expert program, and what sparked your interest?

  My employer, PwC, sparked my interest in becoming a Swiss Certified Tax Expert, which was further confirmed by my own online research.

  2. What positive experiences have you had in the program so far? Were there any special events, milestones, or people who have shaped your studies?

  The most positive experience during my studies has been the practice-oriented approach to teaching. The instructors are highly competent, bringing both practical and theoretical expertise to the classroom, which makes the lessons lively and relevant. I found the International Tax Law module particularly valuable, as I could immediately apply the knowledge to my daily work—and conversely, my practical client projects helped me better understand the theory. This direct link between theory and practice has been the defining feature of my studies.

  3. Which modules or courses did you find most valuable and why?

  International Tax Law, Corporate Tax Law, and Taxation of Individuals.

  4. What challenges have you encountered during the program, and what strategies helped you overcome them?

  The biggest challenge for me was starting to study early enough for the exams, as the material is very comprehensive and I am working a 100% schedule. To overcome this, I relied on a systematic approach with a structured study plan and regular review sessions to solidify my knowledge.

  5. How does the program specifically prepare you for your day-to-day professional life?

  I am able to apply the various concepts from the modules directly to my professional tasks and contribute valuable input to my team.

  6. What advice would you give to future students interested in the Swiss Certified Tax Expert program?

  If you are serious about building a professional career in the field of taxation, you should absolutely consider this program.

  7. Why would you recommend the Swiss Certified Tax Expert program to others?

  The program provides first-class technical expertise for anyone who wants to build a successful career in taxation.

• Tobias Tschopp, Tax Advisor at Tax Partner AG, is currently completing his STEX studies
  

  Of course. This is another excellent testimonial with a different perspective. Here is a professional English translation that captures the voice and detailed insights of the respondent.

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  1. How did you learn about the Swiss Certified Tax Expert program, and what sparked your interest?

  It was somewhat by chance, actually. After completing my Master's in Law, I wasn't sure if I should sit for the bar exam. Once I decided against it, I began looking for an alternative. I knew I wanted to continue working with the law, but I also wanted to do something that satisfied my affinity for numbers. That's how I found my way to tax law and, consequently, to the Swiss Certified Tax Expert program.

  2. What positive experiences have you had in the program so far? Were there any special events, milestones, or people who have shaped your studies?

  Preparing for the certificate exams was very intensive, so it was all the more rewarding to pass them with excellent results. Beyond that, the program has truly confirmed that my decision to switch to the tax industry was the right one. My enthusiasm for the world of taxation remains as strong as ever.

  3. Which modules or courses did you find most valuable and why?

  I personally enjoyed the lectures on Corporate Tax Law the most. However, I believe the entire package is what’s most important, as it provides a comprehensive overview of all the relevant topics in tax law.

  4. What challenges have you encountered during the program, and what strategies helped you overcome them?

  The study period for the certificate exams has been one of my biggest challenges so far, mainly because these exams had never been conducted in this new format before, so it wasn't entirely predictable what to expect. Ultimately, what helped me most was creating a detailed study plan and sticking to it as closely as possible. At the same time, I made a point not to put my personal life completely on hold. In that regard, it was certainly helpful that I had consistently engaged with the lectures and completed the exercises from the very beginning.

  5. How does the program specifically prepare you for your day-to-day professional life?

  The program provides a very solid foundation of technical knowledge for my daily work, which allows me to make an initial assessment of a situation on my own. Additionally, there is a valuable exchange of real-world experiences during the classes (depending on the instructor), which in turn provides useful insights for my professional life. The various readings and presentation slides have also been incredibly helpful in allowing me to quickly find the right sources in my day-to-day work.

  6. What advice would you give to future students interested in the Swiss Certified Tax Expert program?

  The most important thing is to approach the program with curiosity and try not to lose that curiosity along the way. Tax law is a fascinating field that connects two seemingly independent disciplines (business and law). I also recommend staying on top of the material consistently throughout the program. What helped me most was completing the exercises before a lecture, so I would already know what I didn't understand. Going into a lecture unprepared isn't very effective, especially with a topic as complex as tax. The fact that the lectures are now recorded is a great help, as it allows you to prepare and work at your own individual pace.

  7. Why would you recommend the Swiss Certified Tax Expert program to others?

  The program is an essential foundation for a professional career in the tax industry. It gives you an overview of the most important topics—a breadth of knowledge that is very difficult to acquire on your own, as it’s easy to get lost in the sheer volume of literature and court rulings. Furthermore, it gives you an understanding of tax areas in which you may have little or no professional exposure. If you only learn "on the job," you tend to specialize quickly and may not develop knowledge of other critical areas of taxation.

• Johannes Grob, Licensed Audit Expert and client manager at die TreuhandExperten ag Herisau, is currently completing his STEX studies
  

  1. How did you learn about the Swiss Certified Tax Expert program, and what sparked your interest?

  As a Licensed Audit Expert (), I was already familiar with EXPERTsuisse before the program. After moving from a specialized role at a Big 4 firm to the more generalist fiduciary sector, I wanted to pursue advanced training specifically in taxation. As "the" definitive program in this field, the choice naturally fell on the Swiss Certified Tax Expert course.

  2. What positive experiences have you had in the program so far? Were there any special events, milestones, or people who have shaped your studies?

  The module exams were a defining part of the experience, as they provided a valuable benchmark of my progress throughout the program. Additionally, the diploma thesis was a significant milestone. It challenged me to analyze a complex issue in a structured way and develop a practice-oriented solution within a limited timeframe—a task that advanced my skills both technically and methodologically.

  3. Which modules or courses did you find most valuable and why?

  Most modules were taught by very high-caliber, specialized instructors, which made the exchange of ideas exceptionally valuable. I found the modules on International Tax Law and VAT to be particularly helpful, as these are, in my opinion, the areas currently undergoing the most significant developments.

  4. What challenges have you encountered during the program, and what strategies helped you overcome them?

  Balancing work and study is not always easy, especially given the busy season in the fiduciary industry. It was incredibly valuable that the lectures were recorded, allowing me the flexibility to catch up on any missed sessions.

  5. How does the program specifically prepare you for your day-to-day professional life?

  Client issues are becoming (or at least feel) increasingly complex. The program imparts practice-oriented expertise that can be applied directly to daily professional life. The broad scope of the curriculum is especially helpful: it covers various tax types, international matters, social security, and current developments in legislation and case law. This diversity enables the kind of holistic and targeted advice that is required every day in the fiduciary sector.

  6. What advice would you give to future students interested in the Swiss Certified Tax Expert program?

  Attend the classes in person whenever possible. The direct exchange with fellow students and instructors is extremely valuable.

  7. Why would you recommend the Swiss Certified Tax Expert program to others?

  The Swiss Certified Tax Expert program stands out for its strong practical focus, the high quality of its instructors, and its comprehensive coverage of relevant subject areas. For anyone who wants to provide well-founded, holistic, and up-to-date advice in the field of taxation, this program is a worthwhile investment in their professional future.

• Matthias Gartenmann, lic. iur., lawyer, Certified Tax Expert, lead lecturer for criminal tax law and procedural law
  

  1. How does the Swiss Certified Tax Expert (STEX) program specifically prepare students for their day-to-day professional life?

  The program not only imparts the fundamentals of everything from income tax and VAT to corporate taxation, but it also fosters the crucial ability to navigate ever-changing tax legislation. For students who aspire to a demanding and versatile career in taxation—whether in the corporate sector, public administration, or consulting—this program provides an excellent foundation.

  2. Why would you recommend the Swiss Certified Tax Expert program?

  As an Instructor of Tax Law and the Module Leader for Tax Criminal Law and Tax Procedure Law, I recommend the Swiss Certified Tax Expert program with full conviction. It offers students an outstanding opportunity to acquire comprehensive and in-depth knowledge in the vital and dynamic field of tax law. The qualification opens doors to fascinating responsibilities and offers excellent career opportunities in a professional field where demand is consistently high.

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