Tell us about your role.
I divide my time between two different
departments: Transaction Advisory Services (TAS) and the London
Management Board (LMB).
My TAS work is very diverse. One day, I might
be helping a business with a stock flotation; the next, I could be
helping it with an acquisition. In terms of my specific role, I
carry out due diligence tasks on factors like historic performance
and suitability. I also create forecast reviews and financial
reports. There’s an element of audit work to the role, too.
The rest of the time I report to the LMB. This
is essentially a management reporting role. Working closely with
our credit control teams, I create reports that help the board get
an accurate picture of the company’s cash flow situation. I also
identify areas for improvement and make recommendations.
On top of this, I’m a line manager to various
individuals and I also play an active role in helping appraise and
improve the professional development of several teams.
How has your career developed since
joining the firm?
Instead of taking a well-trodden path, I’ve
been given the freedom to explore new areas. This has been
fantastic for my overall development.
I originally joined the firm as an audit
manager in 2003. Less than a year later, I found myself on a
secondment launching a new service line for the firm (Growth &
Strategic Services, as it was then known). I then moved to my
current team in TAS. And within a year, I was made an associate
director. This promotion opened up a whole new range of exciting
challenges – as well as responsibilities.
What makes Grant Thornton a special
place to work?
It’s the firm’s culture that truly sets it
apart. People here are treated as individuals, with their own
strengths and needs. For example, when I became a father, the firm
went to great lengths to accommodate the change in my situation.
Everyone was supportive and understanding. Their flexible approach
allowed me to meet my new family responsibilities.
Our client base is pretty special too. It’s
extremely diverse. In my six years here, I’ve had the chance to
work with all kinds of businesses and organisations. The variety of
the work means you never get bored.