Future Accountant: Alex, Audit Associate

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.

Alex

Grant Thornton UK

Alex’s pivot from biomedical science to audit

Before joining the firm, I studied biomedical science at the University of Birmingham, where I developed strong analytical and problem-solving skills. Alongside my studies, I worked at a well-known fast-food chain, which helped me build resilience, time management, and teamwork skills in a fast-paced environment.

I decided to move from biomedical science to audit because I wanted more variation. Working in audit gives me the opportunity to work with a lot of different people – internally across various audit teams, and externally with a wide range of clients. Plus, I can work from home, the office, and client locations – including overseas – which makes every day different. It feels like the perfect fit for me.

Why Grant Thornton?

I first came across Grant Thornton in The Times Top 100 Graduate Employers list. I was impressed by the firm’s diverse client base, ranging from large listed companies and private equity-backed businesses to not-for-profit organisations. This variety, and the opportunity to gain hands-on experience while working towards my Chartered Accountancy qualification, really appealed to me.

What really stood out during the application process was how friendly and welcoming everyone was. Each interaction made me feel at ease and gave me a strong sense of the firm’s culture. That’s when I knew Grant Thornton was somewhere I’d genuinely enjoy working.

From day one, I’ve felt comfortable asking questions to colleagues at all levels, which has really helped me grow in confidence. Senior colleagues actively encourage me to take on new challenges and explore different areas of work to broaden my experience and deepen my understanding. It’s a collaborative atmosphere where people genuinely want to see each other succeed.

People discussing about a certain matter

Balancing the demands of work and study

One of the biggest challenges I faced was balancing the demands of full-time work with studying for my exams. It was a steep learning curve at first. To manage this, careful diary management was key; I made sure to allocate dedicated time for both client work and exam preparation so I could give each my full attention.

What really helped was the supportive culture at the firm. Since most people have either been through the exams or are currently studying, there’s a shared understanding of the challenges. My team was always encouraging and flexible, which made a big difference in helping me manage both responsibilities effectively.

Professional milestones and growing through feedback

The biggest milestone in my learning and development has been qualifying as a Chartered Accountant. What made it even more special was achieving it alongside the colleagues I met on my very first day at the firm. We supported each other through both the work and study challenges, and over time, we became close friends.

Beyond that, having the opportunity to take responsibility from day one has been so valuable. Whether it was leading sections of audits, liaising directly with clients, or mentoring newer trainees, each experience has helped me build confidence, develop professionally, and grow into my role.

Throughout my time on the programme, getting feedback from mentors and colleagues has been key. Whether it was technical guidance or advice on soft skills, receiving constructive and supportive feedback has helped me continuously improve, build confidence, and take ownership of my learning.