The scoreboard, and what is not on it. The hard targets, how often each is actually
looked at, and the quiet signals that never reach a dashboard.
IDR Response Time
How quickly you draft and submit responses to Information Document Requests (IDRs) from HMRC after receiving all necessary client data.
Target · Draft responses prepared within 48 hours of receiving complete client data. Received client's final bank statements for an IDR on Monday morning, submitted a complete draft response by Wednesday afternoon.
Research Accuracy
The percentage of your legal research memos and findings that require significant revision or correction by a senior colleague.
Target · Less than 5% of research memos require significant revision by senior staff. Out of 10 research memos submitted this quarter, only one needed a minor adjustment to a case citation, meaning a 90% accuracy rate on first pass.
Billable Hours
The total number of hours you spend on client-facing, billable work, contributing to the firm's revenue.
Target · Meets or exceeds firm targets (e.g., 1800+ hours/year, pro-rata monthly). In October, you billed 155 hours against a target of 150, showing consistent contribution to the practice.
Case Resolution Rate (Single Issue)
The percentage of single-issue tax controversy cases (e.g., penalty abatements, simple correspondence audits) that you successfully resolve without escalation to formal Appeals or litigation.
Target · 80% or higher resolution rate at the examination level. Out of 10 penalty abatement cases handled this quarter, 8 were successfully resolved with HMRC without needing a formal protest, hitting an 80% rate.
Client Communication & Satisfaction
How well you keep clients informed, manage their expectations, and ensure they feel supported throughout the dispute process, especially on smaller cases.
- Clients proactively express satisfaction in feedback calls or emails
- minimal client complaints about lack of communication
- you're able to explain complex tax issues in plain English that clients actually understand.
Proactive Issue Spotting
Your ability to identify potential problems or additional areas of exposure during an audit, even if the client hasn't mentioned them.
- You flag a related issue to your supervisor that wasn't part of the initial IDR
- you spot a discrepancy in client records that could become a problem later and address it early
- you anticipate HMRC's next line of questioning.
Quality of Drafts & Workpapers
The completeness, accuracy, and clarity of the documents you prepare for internal review and for submission to HMRC.
- Your draft IDR responses require minimal edits from senior staff
- your schedules and calculations are well-organised and easy to follow
- privilege logs are accurate and complete on first pass.
Team Collaboration & Support
How effectively you work with colleagues, share knowledge, and offer informal assistance to junior team members.
- You actively participate in team discussions
- you offer to help a junior associate with a tricky research query
- colleagues feel comfortable coming to you for quick advice on routine matters.