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Future Accountants: Kerry’s journey into audit through apprenticeship
Choosing to take the alternative route into accountancy, Kerry started her career through an apprenticeship rather than university. Here, she shares how she’s building a rewarding career in audit – and why being curious, authentic, and supported makes all the difference.
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Future Accountants: Dan’s journey from English literature to Indirect Tax
From literature to ledgers, Dan Barber’s journey into Indirect Tax proves that the path to becoming a future accountant doesn’t have to be traditional. Now two years into his graduate programme, Dan shares how curiosity, support, and a love of problem-solving helped him thrive in a new field.
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Future Accountants: Julia’s journey from economics graduate to Tax Associate
Supported by a culture of encouragement and hands-on learning, Julia’s journey from economics student to Tax Associate began with a four-week internship that shaped her career path. In her own words, she shares how discovering her strengths, gaining real responsibility, and growing through feedback have helped her thrive in Financial Services Tax.
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Starting at the firm: How Emily balances audit, exams, and international hockey
Emily Dark, one of our Audit Associates, reflects on her first two years at Grant Thornton — from studying for her ICAS exams to representing Scotland in international hockey. She shares how the firm’s culture empowered her to thrive both professionally and personally, offering insights to help future trainees feel confident as they begin their careers and explore the opportunities ahead.
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Future Accountants: Yad’s journey from BTEC to Audit Associate
Yad’s path into audit began with a BTEC in Business and a job as a line chef, experiences that sparked his interest in teamwork, problem-solving, and learning by doing. Now an apprentice at Grant Thornton, he reflects on how feedback, support, and a collaborative culture have helped him grow into a professional member of the audit team.
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Future Accountants: Maria’s path from audit intern to Advisory Associate
Maria’s journey has been shaped by curiosity and continuous growth. In her own words, she shares how moving from Dubai to London opened the door to a career in accountancy, how her internship helped her find her fit in advisory, and why feedback, mentorship, and real responsibility have helped her thrive.
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Kevin's story
Everyone at Grant Thornton benefits from private medical insurance, and Kevin experienced its value first-hand. Here he talks about when his life changed dramatically in 2022, and how the support of those around him have allowed him to continue excelling in a role he loves.
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Future Accountants: Alex’s pivot from biomedical science graduate to audit trainee
Driven by curiosity and an appetite for variety, Alex’s journey from biomedical science graduate to audit trainee has been shaped by hands-on experience, a supportive culture, and a commitment to continuous learning. In her own words, she shares how embracing new challenges, building confidence through feedback, and living the firm’s values have helped her grow.
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Returning with purpose: Mike’s path back to the firm
Mike talks to us about rejoining Grant Thornton, his drivers for returning to the firm, and setting the right boundaries to achieve the right work-life balance.
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Empowered to progress: Oliver’s data-driven trainee experience
With a degree in modern languages, Oliver took an alternative route into professional services. Now working in transaction services, he shares how the firm has empowered him to grow, explore new areas of interest, and make a meaningful impact – even as a trainee.
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Back with balance: How Hadia found her rhythm after maternity leave
Returning to work after maternity leave can be daunting – but for Hadia, Accounting Advisory Manager in CFO Solutions, it became a story of support, development, and reconnection. She shares how the firm’s culture and policies have helped her find her rhythm and continue growing after entering the world of motherhood.
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Meaningful work and real connection: Lola’s first eight months in Real Estate Tax
Lola joined Grant Thornton as a member of the Real Estate Tax team. Originally from Nigeria, she brings a global perspective, a passion for meaningful work, and a deep appreciation for community – both inside and outside the firm. In just eight months, she’s already made an impact, not only through her work but also by helping others find their place at the firm. Here’s her story.
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Portraits of Power
Portraits of Power
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Top 10 career tips
Everyone benefits from a little advice, especially when they’re starting out. So, we've put together our top 10 tips to help you ace your applications and kick start your career in the best possible way.
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Ignite work experience
Are you ready to take the first step towards an exciting career in Accountancy? Our Grant Thornton Ignite Work Experience Programme is designed to give you a real taste of life at our firm.
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Interns and placements
Summer internships and 12-month placement programmes give you a fantastic opportunity to find out more about careers in professional services, and they can set you on a fast track through to an offer for your graduate programme.
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Graduate programmes
Our three-year graduate programme will take you from graduate to professionally qualified, opening up a world of opportunity.
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Apprenticeships
For anyone with A-Level (or equivalent) qualifications, an apprenticeship helps fast track you to qualification whilst you earn, and if you join straight after A-Levels, you can qualify ahead of your peers who go to university.
Finding a footing in Financial Services Tax
I started my career in a corporate tax team at another professional services firm, which gave me a great insight into the world of tax while working through my exams. After a couple of years working mostly on compliance work, I wanted to get more exposure into tax advisory and transaction projects. So, in February 2019, I joined the Financial Services Tax team at Grant Thornton as a part-qualified associate, with one exam left to go.
When I first joined the firm, I was a bit nervous about making the transition to a new team, particularly one whose sector-focus was completely new to me. But with the support of the team around me, I quickly got up to speed. Now, it’s six years later and I work in the same team with a focus on Wealth and Asset management. Having a broad variety of tax compliance, advisory and transaction work is great for me – it means no two days are the same, which is one of the things I find most rewarding.
My work on transactions in the sector has been a particular highlight. Working with our wider Transactions Advisory Services practice, I’ve been fortunate to have worked on over 20 deals with a cumulative value of nearly £500 million over the past eighteen months.
Making the most of new opportunities
Since joining the firm, I've progressed quite quickly. Looking back on it now, I think this reflects not only my hard work, but also the amazing opportunities here at Grant Thornton.
One particularly valuable opportunity I had while working as an associate director was a six-month secondment to a large asset management firm, working within their EMEA corporate tax team. This experience gave me valuable insight into client service levels, the pragmatism and commerciality of advice, and the holistic approach needed to meet client needs – something I wouldn’t have fully appreciated without having the experience first-hand.
This is just one example of how the firm invests in its people and gives you opportunities to grow and learn.
Having a broad variety of tax compliance, advisory and transaction work is great for me – it means no two days are the same, which is one of the things I find most rewarding.
Stepping up to director
I recently became a director in our team, a journey which began with a series of workshops to help me understand the role and the skills I’d need. Something I really appreciate about the firm is that it’s always made clear what the expectations are for various roles, which makes progressing in the right direction much easier.
One of the most useful parts of the process was hearing insights and advice from past directors and partners about their experiences and the challenges they faced. It was a really helpful way to get ready for the role.
Throughout the process of preparing for the role, I’ve had amazing support from colleagues and mentors who have been key to my development over the last six years. This support extends beyond my immediate team, with partners and directors across the firm willing to offer their guidance. It really shows how supportive the environment is at the firm, where everyone is happy to help each other succeed.
Nurturing the next generation
This year, my focus is on finessing the shift from managing to directing. So far, I’ve realised it’s not like flipping a switch; it takes a conscious effort to step away from day-to-day tasks and focus on the bigger picture.
Another key part of the director role is developing junior team members. The firm’s tax practice continues to grow, and achieving our ambitious targets means significant investment in people. Mentoring the next generation of managers by helping them develop relationships with their clients and get involved in advisory work is a great chance for me to give back and support their growth, just as I’ve been supported in my career.
To support the wider tax practice’s growth plans, we’ve already welcomed several new partners this year. The balanced approach of bringing in new talent and nurturing our existing people makes sure we have a strong pipeline of leaders to drive us forwards.
It's an exciting time for us and I’m confident that with the right people, our practice will continue to grow and provide more opportunities for people at all stages of their career journey.