The most satisfying thing about my job is ....
getting to know a client's business well enough that you can not
only answer the queries that they bring to you, but also to
pre-empt any other queries that they may have and add value to that
relationship.
The hottest topic in our sector right now is
.... Brexit and the related VAT and customs issues.
Most of the clients I deal with day to day are Intra-EU online
traders. The way that VAT and customs has changed over the
last couple of years has had a big impact on how these businesses
trade in the UK. This has resulted in an increase in clients
approaching us with more queries, to ensure they remain compliant
with the new UK VAT rules.
Financial services is a great career choice because
.... no matter what is happening in the world or the
economic landscape, business owners will always need accountants
and advisors. And after all, as Benjamin Franklin said "in
this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and
taxes".
However, the traditional accountant's role has changed
considerably to keep up with the demands of today's high-tech
world. French Duncan's RPA software is a great example of
this and has made our compliance services more time and cost
effective. I've found however that, while automation
has helped with the bulk of the data crunching, a person who
understands the client's business is still needed to interpret the
data, as well as to catch anything that the automation process
might have misunderstood. So, while the role of accountants
is evolving, I'd say there's still a good long-term career role for
accountants and advisers in the future, which is good news for
us!
The biggest challenge I have faced in my career to date
.... would be when I first had to deliver training.
I was very nervous about how to present the information in a way
that would be easy to understand, as well as the usual public
speaking worries I think everyone suffers from.
I was able to tackle it mainly due to the amount of preparation
I put into my notes and resources, to make sure I had all the
information I needed to hand. I also got some useful advice
from the more senior members of my team on my presentation
skills. Overall, despite the nerves, I think it worked out
pretty well and I'm now much more confident about delivering
training.
The three best things about working in Glasgow are
.... the people of Glasgow who make working here a
delight. I didn't know many people when I first moved here
but I soon found that everyone was very friendly and accepting, so
it didn't take long for me to put down roots here. As they
say, people make Glasgow!
I also love the large amount of green spaces, such as Glasgow
Green, Kelvingrove Park and Pollok Country Park. I tend to
run a fair bit, so it's nice to have a variety of large green
spaces to pick from when planning a route.
Finally, I'd say the amount of entertainment on offer, getting
to see all the big music acts perform at the Hydro or SWG3 is
amazing.
My favourite part of Glasgow is ....
Kelvingrove Park - it's such a huge green area, which is just
beautiful. I used to spend a lot of time walking around there
during lockdowns and for the most part, you could just forget you
were in the middle of the city. It was a definite bonus
having the park so close, especially at a time when we couldn't go
anywhere far afield.
Outside of work, I am passionate about ....
running. When I first moved to Glasgow, I joined a running
group as a way to meet people and improve my fitness. As time
has gone on, I've done various running challenges such as running
the Edinburgh Half Marathon, doing the 5x50 challenge (running 5K
every day for 50 days) and a variety of other long-distance runs.
I've now become a jog leader with Glasgow Frontrunners, which
is a great inclusive running group. This means I plan and
lead members on runs around the city, as well as provide support to
make sure everyone has a good running experience. Overall,
it's a great way to improve your fitness and see more of the
city.
My first ever job was .... as a
waiter/bartender in a pub and it quickly taught me the importance
of a positive and friendly demeanour. It makes it easier to
form working relationships with your colleagues and generally, if
you interact with people in a friendly way, they will respond in
kind.
Favourite boxset - Gilmore Girls
Favourite author - Brandon Sanderson
Favourite podcast - Do the Right Thing
And, finally, what three words best sum you up?
Friendly, Enthusiastic, Hardworking