-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
Future Accountant: Nirunthan, Advisory Associate
Nirunthan (Niru) joined the firm as a placement student during his university years. After graduating, he returned to the firm as an advisory associate in the Transactions Advisory Services team – a move that reflects his passion for applying accounting skills in a commercial, project-driven environment. Niru shares his experience as a placement student, including the challenges he overcame and the culture that shaped his development.
-
“You are not alone”: Nana Yaw’s mission to normalise conversations about men’s mental health
In a culture where men are often expected to stay silent about their struggles, Nana Yaw is using his voice to challenge stigma, share his experiences, and encourage others to do the same. He’s on a mission to help normalise conversations around wellbeing – especially for men from ethnic minority backgrounds. Here’s his story.
-
Portraits of Power
Portraits of Power
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
Graduate programmes
Our three-year graduate programme will take you from graduate to professionally qualified, opening up a world of opportunity.
-
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.
A visual timeline of Ashton's career.
When I began my professional journey, I didn’t have a clear career path in mind – I was young, eager to learn, and open to where life might take me. After leaving full-time education, I started my career in the security industry, taking on a vetting role that would shape the next six and a half years of my career. In that time, I navigated various positions and took two maternity leaves, all while building a strong foundation in HR, risk management, and professional services.
Support for shifting priorities
Everything changed when I became a parent. With two children under the age of two and a demanding management role, I found myself at a crossroads. I loved my work, but the long hours and high pressure no longer aligned with my personal values. I needed a role that offered both professional fulfilment and flexibility to be present for my family.
That’s when I discovered Grant Thornton. I was approached about a vetting role, and after researching the firm, I felt a strong connection to its values and culture. My interview confirmed it and left me with a fantastic first impression – this was a collaborative, forward-thinking environment where I could explore new opportunities and continue learning. I took a leap of faith, leaving a permanent role to join Grant Thornton on a six-month fixed-term contract as an administrator. Seven years later, I’m still here!
The firm’s approach to work is built on trust and accountability and has been a game-changer for me as a full-time working parent. Being empowered to manage my time and adjust my hours and work from home as well as the office means I can be present for important family moments, like sports day and school assemblies, without compromising on the high standards expected in my role. Of course, there are times when work comes first, whether that means longer days or stepping up for a critical deadline – but that’s part of the mutual commitment that makes the model work.
Growing beyond vetting
After joining the People Services Vetting team in June 2018, I quickly progressed to Team Leader. But after a decade in vetting, I felt ready for a new challenge. I wanted to stay within the firm but explore a different path, one that would allow me to apply my transferable skills in a fresh context.
That opportunity came in November 2021 when I joined the Agile Talent team. We’re strategic partners within the firm, helping to shape the future of flexible talent through the Agile Talent Community (ATC), a central hub for our independent consultants. We play an important role in helping teams to scale quickly during peak periods, or bring in niche expertise to support our clients.
After ten years in the specialised vetting field, transitioning into a completely new team was a big change. It felt quite daunting to suddenly not have all the answers, but I was fortunate to already have relationships with many of my new team as I’d worked with some closely in my previous role. And, possibly most importantly, I had an incredible people manager who empowered me, supported me, and led by example.
Building something new
When I joined Agile Talent, the team was still in its early days, so stepping into an operational lead role gave me a real opportunity to help shape what the ATC would become.
My role was varied, giving me opportunities to lead projects, work closely with different teams, and have a real impact on the user experience. But before any of that, what really mattered was getting the basics right: building trust with my people manager and colleagues. That trust gave me the space to take on different types of initiatives and drive meaningful contributions to the growth of the ATC.
This is why I’d say that my greatest achievement at Grant Thornton isn’t a title or a project – it’s my personal growth. The firm’s openness, trust, and coaching culture has supported me through various stages of my life and helped me grow both personally and professionally, feeling confident to take new opportunities.
To other people considering a career change or new opportunity, my advice is to approach it with an open mindset and be ready to embrace new opportunities. Reflect on what matters to you – what you’ve enjoyed in past roles, what your strengths are, your transferable skills – and look for roles that align with those values. Having a strong network can also make a big difference, so don’t be afraid to put yourself out there!