At Boston, our people are at the heart of everything we do. We believe that attracting, developing, and retaining talented individuals is essential to delivering exceptional client service. A key part of that commitment is Boston Academy’s support of the team to pursue relevant professional qualifications.
Today, we are pleased to introduce Leigh Taylor, Senior Client Administrator, who has recently completed the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP) Diploma and shares her experience of achieving this qualification.
Please introduce yourself
My name is Leigh Taylor, and I am a Senior Client Administrator at Boston Multi Family Office. I have been working in the trust and corporate services sector for 7 years.
What is the STEP Diploma?
The Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP) diploma is a globally recognised qualification for professionals working in trusts, estates and private client services. It focuses on practical and real world knowledge across areas such as tax, fund management, trust and company law and more. It is designed to build technical expertise and professional judgement.
Why did you choose to pursue the STEP Diploma?
I chose to pursue the STEP Diploma to deepen my technical knowledge and strengthen my professional credibility. This qualification felt the best option to help me with these goals as it is globally recognised and demonstrates a high level of technical understanding in the TCSP industry.
How does STEP support technical knowledge and professional credibility?
Through my journey completing the STEP Diploma, I feel it has provided me with a deeper understanding of the foundations behind trusts and companies. The modules allowed me to link parts of my day to day job with the relevant laws and practices explored. Having a globally recognised qualification demonstrates my commitment to developing my professional education and supported my career progression whilst connecting me to a wider pool of people who are part of the STEP community.
How has completing the diploma complemented your day to day client work?
Since completing the diploma, I have felt more confident within my role at Boston by understanding the technical reasoning behind tasks I undertake day to day. Subsequently, I feel that this has had a positive impact on the service I provide to clients.
The qualification has deepened my understanding of investments, company law, and the inner workings of trusts. It has helped me understand the different aspects of the private client sector and how they work together.
How has it helped your confidence and/or performance so far?
Completing the STEP Diploma has proven to myself that I am capable of completing professional qualifications to further develop myself in my career. Having the TEP designation reinforces my sense of credibility, and I feel more capable and knowledgeable in my work.
Do you think completing the qualification has opened new opportunities?
Since completing the diploma, I do think it has created new opportunities to collaborate with senior colleagues that I struggled with prior. With that, I have had the opportunity to work on more complex client cases to put my knowledge into practice.
It has also given me the confidence to take my studies further, and I am now looking into completing the Chartered Governance Institute (CGI) qualification.
How does the STEP Diploma support your long-term career goals?
Completing the STEP Diploma has provided me with a foundation of knowledge that I can continue to build on as a progress into more senior roles and positions me for future career advancement whilst strengthening my credibility within the industry.
How did Boston support you through your studies?
Through the Boston Academy, the company was very encouraging throughout my time completing the STEP diploma, investing in my professional development by funding the qualification and ensuring I had access to all the materials I needed. I was given the flexibility I needed to balance my studies alongside my role and was encouraged by colleagues, particularly Leanna, who often checked in and was always there to ask how an exam had gone on dreaded exam days!