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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.
From Audit to TAS
I joined Grant Thornton as an audit trainee within the Birmingham office but, after my training, decided audit wasn’t where I wanted to spend my whole career. I wanted to stay in the firm though, so I looked at what different areas of the business do and spoke to people in the office who had made similar moves. Once I had decided that the TAS team felt right for me, I joined on a secondment before going full time in the team in 2013 – and 10 years later I haven’t looked back!
I’ve always felt supported and encouraged to develop my career and excel within the firm. When I was pregnant with my first child and just two weeks before I finished for maternity leave, I was given an out-of-cycle promotion to associate director. It was recognised that I would have been promoted in the time I was off, and while they didn’t need to give it to me then, doing so meant that I could go on maternity leave and focus on my new family knowing the promotion was secure. A small gesture that made all the difference to me.
Soon after my return, I started working on a part-time basis. I was initially concerned that it may hold me back in my career, but I needn’t have worried. The Elevate Development programme launched whilst I was on maternity leave with my second child, and I was able to use my keep-in-touch days to take part; I even took my three-month-old to one of the sessions with me!
It’s amazing to see the progress the firm has made in supporting women returning to the workplace, even between my two returns to work. The introduction of coaches when returning, and a much clearer, more supported pathway makes such a difference to the individual experience.
Things were going well, and then the pandemic hit. I returned from maternity leave mid-pandemic, and with the increase in remote working felt that I had lost touch with some of the people who really mattered to me. There’s magic in being around people, and you just can’t replicate that on a Teams call. Then, just as we began getting back to some normality in 2022, the Birmingham office closed temporarily whilst we moved into our new office.
This experience left me questioning whether I still belonged here. As someone who thrives on personal connections and strong relationships, I was feeling ever more disconnected. After receiving two job offers elsewhere, I considered leaving the firm.
Supported to excel
Once I made my manager aware how I was feeling, I was connected to a mentor almost immediately. Corporate Finance Director Debbie Mayor, based in Scotland, spent time with me to explore my career journey and help me figure out ‘what next’. I felt valued, and it boosted my motivation to succeed here. I then developed an ‘out-of-service line’ mentoring relationship with Tax Partner Rachel Parker, as she was also based in Birmingham.
Moving into our fantastic new office and working together with colleagues again made a real difference. I immediately started to rekindle old relationships and get chatting to the people I needed to know in my role. I was happier, more social and reminded of why I love it here.
It was a combination of factors that finally convinced me to stay at Grant Thornton – the people, the new office, the career support and mentoring, and the overall culture. Trust is a huge part of how we work here, and never had it been more evident than in the weeks after I made the decision to stay.
Unfortunately, my son became quite unwell, and my daughter struggled to settle in at her new school, which led to many sleepless nights and challenging mornings. I had the partners’ unwavering support during this time and was trusted to manage my work commitments alongside my family, thanks to our flexible approach to work. I know I wouldn’t have had the same level of trust had I moved jobs, and for that I am grateful. I’m also very grateful to my coach, Dan Hartland who has also been a very important person in helping me to progress in my career.
I successfully passed my director panel earlier this year. It was a demanding process, but both Rachel and Debbie were by my side I’m now determined to repay some of the support I received. I’ve worked with many talented female managers here, and as a new director, I’m committed to helping them take their careers to the next level.