Taking a leap from banking to ethics
My career journey so far is shaped by my passion for psychology, a field that sparks curiosity about all aspects of life and the human experience. It all starts with an unanswered question that piques my interest. From there, I dive into forming theories and experiments to test them, all with the goal of collecting and interpreting data to understand and solve problems. I’ve always found myself drawn to roles that allow me to explore and investigate in this way.
After spending a few years working in banking, I was excited to get back into a research-focused role in insolvency when I initially joined the firm. I enjoyed my role as a researcher but after three years, I felt like it was time for a new, more varied challenge that would allow me to explore ‘the unknown’.
I spoke to my manager at the time about how I felt and she suggested I look for a secondment. The role in Corporate Independence in the ethics team appealed to me because it offered a variety of new learning opportunities, including research and an element of compliance and risk, which I’d enjoyed during my banking days. It seemed like the perfect opportunity for me, and when I was offered a permanent role, my manager supported me and the ethics team helped with my transition.
Skills shaped by curiosity
The skills I’ve honed through my studies in psychology and experiences in the insolvency sector have been incredibly valuable in my current role in the ethics team. I pride myself on having an eye for detail and strong analytical skills, which help me navigate complex information and uncover insights.
I thrive under pressure and love a good challenge, which has taught me to be tenacious and adaptable, ready to tackle various tasks that come my way. Most importantly, I approach my day-to-day responsibilities with a calm, focused, and methodical mindset, so I can stay grounded and effective, no matter what the day throws at me.
I pride myself on having an eye for detail and strong analytical skills, which help me navigate complex information and uncover insights.
The role of ethics at Grant Thornton
In Ethics, our main goal is to protect the firm while helping teams make the right independence judgements at the right time. We help with any queries related to the Financial Reporting Council’s (FRC) Ethical Standard and other codes of ethics, such as Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) and International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants (IESBA).
We support the service teams to be compliant with the overarching principles of the FRC Ethical Standard (integrity, objectivity and independence) to ensure high operating standards and enhance the credibility of financial reporting.
In my role, I specifically assess how self-interest might affect auditor independence. Essentially, I help to make sure that the audit opinions given by our firm are seen as fair and based on professional judgement, not influenced by financial interests. My work is important for maintaining the objectivity and integrity of the audit opinions we provide to those who rely on the financial statements. I get a lot of satisfaction in knowing that I’m playing a part in keeping our ethical standards high.
Whenever I'm in the office, I like to take a moment to introduce myself to those around me and share a little about what we do in the team. It’s a simple gesture, but it’s so important to humanise our role, so people see us as approachable and supportive. My hope is that these interactions show our commitment to being here for everyone and that we genuinely want to help in making informed decisions.
