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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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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.
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“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.
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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.
A visual timeline of Ngoni's career.
Collecting experience across the globe
I started my career with Grant Thornton Zimbabwe in 2013, before relocating to the UK on secondment in 2018, with a stint at the Ethiopian firm in between, so I’ve really felt the benefits of working for an international network of firms.
My initial move to Ethiopia was a significant learning experience, particularly in adapting to a new office environment, jurisdiction, and culture, and taught me valuable lessons that eased my relocation to the UK firm when I joined on secondment.
Here are the key takeaways from my international experiences:
- Welcoming culture: Across all offices, whether in Ethiopia, Zimbabwe, or the UK, I’ve found the teams consistently friendly, supportive, and welcoming. The shared sense of inclusiveness really reflects the firm's global culture.
- Hospitality and support: The level of hospitality and support I received when settling in each new office was remarkable. I even picked up a few lessons on hospitality that I’ve carried forward in my own interactions with others.
- Cultural exchange: Working with colleagues from diverse backgrounds across multiple countries enriched my experience significantly. I learned a lot from different perspectives, which expanded my understanding and adaptability in international settings.
- Consistent values: The firm’s values were strong in every firm I worked with, showing the consistency of our culture globally.
- Adjusting to the UK: My transition to life in the UK was smooth, thanks to the support and friendships I developed in the office. The warm and collaborative environment helped me settle in quickly, both professionally and personally.
In 2019 I decided it was time to explore opportunities outside of Grant Thornton, partially related to visa requirements, and partially because I wanted to gain different experiences. However, I maintained strong connections with my former colleagues, and I decided to return to the firm.
The versatility of a career in audit
What fascinates me most about audit is its pivotal role in ensuring the reliability of financial information. I find it rewarding to know that the work I do helps decision-makers trust financial statements as true and fair representations, contributing to the overall transparency and integrity of the economy. Even though my individual contribution may seem small, being part of this larger purpose—helping foster a more honest financial culture—gives me a sense of fulfilment and purpose.
Audit is also a dynamic field. Since I began my career in 2013, the industry has seen significant transformations driven by new regulations, technologies, and evolving client needs. These changes have kept the work both challenging and engaging. Each new development introduces fresh problems to solve and new ways to adapt, preventing the role from ever becoming monotonous. Staying curious, continuously learning, and embracing innovation are key ways I keep my career fresh and exciting.
Across all offices, whether in Ethiopia, Zimbabwe, or the UK, I’ve found the teams consistently friendly, supportive, and welcoming.
What does the future look like?
It’s a really exciting time to be part of the firm, and I’m looking forward to contributing to the firm’s growth plans by playing a key role in driving the success of new client acquisitions and strengthening our relationships with existing clients. As the firm continues to expand, there’s opportunities to bring fresh ideas and perspectives that can support both the firm’s strategic objectives and the evolving needs of our clients.
Over the next couple of years, I’m excited to further immerse myself in larger engagements, especially those that I’ve been involved with from the proposal stage. Gaining deeper experience on these larger-scale audits will not only enhance my technical skills but also broaden my ability to manage and lead more substantial projects.
Outside of my ‘day job’, I’m looking forward to sharing my experiences with others who share similar cultural experiences to me. As someone who has experienced international relocations and understands the challenges that come with adjusting to life in the UK, our International Hire Network and Culture Buddy Programme are great opportunities to support others in their transition and contribute to fostering a positive, inclusive culture.