IFA Mentoring Platform

The IFA Mentoring Platform, pioneered by PhD Izabela Andrzejewska-Czernek, is an innovative initiative aimed at fostering collaboration and supporting the development of tax law professionals within the International Fiscal Association (IFA) and the Young IFA Network (YIN). It connects experienced IFA mentors with advancing YIN mentees, through the structured year-long mentoring program, offering essential guidance and support to help them achieve their professional goals.

IFA Mentoring Platform Objectives: 

• Interconnecting IFA and YIN: Foster collaboration between established IFA professionals and upcoming YIN associates, fostering expertise transfer and intergenerational dialogue 
• IFA Mentors Professional Influence: Develop IFA Mentors' leadership and visibility in the tax law community through active participation, enhancing their mentoring and coaching skills and professional influence.
• YIN Career Advancement: Empower YIN members with mentorship to enhance skills, expand networks, and accelerate career growth in tax law.
• IFA Global Visibility: Boost IFA's global reputation through a flagship mentoring program, attracting new members and showcasing a commitment to tax law professional development.

The platform offers five distinct development paths:

1. Academic Study of Tax Law
2. Administrative Courts
3. In-house Taxes 
4. Tax Administration
5. Tax Advisory

A business psychologist and a coach is involved to offer comprehensive support and training throughout the mentoring process, ensuring both mentors and mentees gain the most from their experience. 

The pilot edition in Poland, led by PhD Izabela Andrzejewska-Czernek in 2023/24, has concluded with outstanding success, setting a high standard and demonstrating the program's significant potential for adoption by other IFA branches worldwide. The IFA Mentoring Platform's second edition in Poland is scheduled for 2024/25 and has attracted significant sponsorship.

“The status of a mentor is a mark of recognition and a starting point to break routine, as well as a good opportunity for self-development and drawing from various experiences, especially the energy of younger colleagues in the field.”

Kamil Jastrzębski, Group Tax Manager at ASEE, Mentor 2023/24

“It's an interesting experience for the mentor, offering a new observational perspective on the goals, motivations, and value system of the younger generation of professionals.” 

Wojciech Sztuba, Managing Partner at TPA Poland, Mentor 2023/24

“Let young people benefit from the knowledge, skills, and experience of others, let the "tax world" be more friendly and familiar to them, and let them have the opportunity to learn not only from their own mistakes. From the mentor's perspective, the program requires a time commitment, but observing the mentee's development brings a lot of satisfaction.”

Magdalena Ćwik-Burszewska, Group Tax Director at Huuuge Games, Mentor 2023/24