The fact that no two days are the same has always kept me engaged with the tax world. I love that tax legislation is ever evolving and there’s always something new to learn.
Apart from a small stint, I’ve spent my whole career at Grant Thornton working in tax. The reason why is simple: the variety of work, our culture, and our people. We spend a lot of our lives at work, so it’s important to enjoy what we do and trust the people we work with.
In the last 25 years, I’ve seen so much change at the firm in how we use technology. When I first started, email was only for internal use, and client liaison was done via letters written out longhand or by speaking into a dictating machine, which a secretary would then type up! It was a massive change when we started using email for client communications, and at the time it felt quite daunting, but it meant we could be much more responsive.
It’s important to be open-minded about digital advances and explore ways they can be used to create more time for the valuable work technology can’t do. Approaching change proactively and positively will make it easier for us to reap the benefits sooner than those who rail against it. I’m loving using Microsoft Copilot for drafting more engaging emails and during the first stage of tax technical research. I feel like I’m only scratching the surface of what AI can do, so I’m excited to see how our use of it evolves over time to enhance our roles.
Approaching change proactively and positively will make it easier for us to reap the benefits sooner than those who rail against it.
Working on multiple client assignments with different teams each week keeps my work varied and interesting. I love having opportunities to meet people from other service lines and build a strong internal network. I always get a great sense of satisfaction when a client has a challenge and I’m able to connect them with the right person to help.
I was lucky enough to join the first Inclusion Advisory Board when it launched in 2021, and I learnt so much from my role on the IAB. It was a great opportunity to hear from people with different lived experiences and explore how we as a firm can support everyone, while sharing my own views around making our workplace inclusive for quieter, more introverted members of our team, like me.
Our diverse work environment has also influenced my management style. The opportunity to learn from various partners and get involved in people-related projects outside my day-to-day role has helped me develop an effective people management style that feels authentic to me, and gives my team the support they need.
I hold monthly mentoring discussions with the people I manage to make sure they feel empowered in their roles. Engaging in coaching conversations can be incredibly impactful, too – sometimes, simply asking the right questions and providing a space for reflection is all it takes for them to realise they have the answers and skills needed to tackle their challenges.
If I could turn back time 25 years, I would tell myself to focus more on my strengths and stop dwelling on what I wasn’t as good at. When we embrace our strengths, we can have much more fulfilling careers.
I’d also say it’s important to trust your instincts, make your own luck, and never give up. There have been plenty of ‘sliding doors moments’ where my persistence led me to exactly where I wanted to be. For example, I knew I wanted to be a people manager long before I became one – and those opportunities didn’t just come to me by accident. I’d been laying the groundwork by making my ambitions known to key people in the firm for some time.
When you’re passionate about something at Grant Thornton, you’re often met with open doors. However, you still have to be proactive to make it happen. By connecting with the right people, you might not find an opportunity right away – but when the right one does come up, you'll be remembered.