I graduated in Summer 2021, after studying Accounting and Finance.
Having spoken with my personal tutor, Helen Clayfield, I looked into a number of graduate scheme opportunities which would allow me to become further qualified whilst gaining experience. Helen answered all my queries, from silly questions such as what a grad scheme is, to detailed information regarding the various accounting qualifications, and how various firms operate differently. She also explained how competitive these opportunities were, allowing me to form a plan of how I should move forward.
I applied for a range of graduate scheme jobs during the start of my final year and managed to progress through the various stages of the applications. Eventually, having applied for many roles, I was offered a number of interviews.
One of the interview offers I received was from Grant Thornton, one of the world’s leading professional service firms. I was able to impress the interviewers, who are now my colleagues and managers I work with every day.
I now work as an associate within GT’s London Financial Services Group (FSG), in the FS Tax team. My team is made up of about 30 people, which includes partners, directors, managers, and associates. Being a Financial Services team, we specialise on a certain type of client: large & complex businesses, including investment companies or partnerships.
Over the course of my first 6 months, I have gained experience in performing various types of Tax, communicating directly with clients, attending meetings at client sites, writing letters to HMRC on behalf of businesses and assisting in advisory work.
Alongside my busy 9-5(5.30), I have been completing my ACA and CTA qualifications. GT use BPP to provide study, which I am permitted time to attend. Balancing my exams and work can be challenging, especially around busy periods such as December, but I have so far completed the certificate level of my ACA and am currently studying for my next 3 professional level papers.
Not only did my course at the University of Chester provide me with skills I use every day at work, it has given me the platform to complete my ACA as I have studied a lot of the content already.
I am also very thankful for the support provided which enabled me to progress to this position and gain my job. The CV and covering letter review services were absolutely brilliant. The tutors I had for each of these services were so kind and helpful, providing me with really insightful criticism.
I really found speaking to my personal tutor, as well as other lecturers and support staff felt very personal, and everyone genuinely cared and tailored their advice to my wants and needs. For this, I am very grateful and would like to thank Helen and the rest of the Business School staff for their work.
