Me, Unlimited: Lauren explores an alternative career path in audit learning

From audit textbooks to real-world experience

Before I started my 12-month placement at the firm, I didn’t have a lot of first-hand experience or knowledge of audit, other than what I’d read in a textbook. I wanted to know what the career path was really like, and a placement year seemed like the perfect way to find out.

I was excited that a career in commercial audit could expose me to the world of business, clients, and travel. I knew there was a great opportunity to meet a lot of people at Grant Thornton, as the audit team works with various other departments throughout the process. Even if I didn’t stay in audit for the rest of my career, it would put me in good stead to advance my skills, knowledge, and experience in so many ways.

Another thing I loved about the placement is that I could complete my ACA (Chartered Accountant) qualification alongside working. This was invaluable as it meant I could learn something and then potentially start seeing in practice through real client work.

Building confidence and creating connections 

When I first started my placement, I wasn’t a very confident person. Public speaking and presenting didn’t come naturally to me, but I was keen to develop these skills. When I was asked to speak to a financial director quite early on in my placement, it really helped me come out of my shell and feel more confident in myself and my work.

When my placement finished in 2017, I returned to university as a campus ambassador for Grant Thornton. It felt really rewarding to help prospective candidates learn more about the firm’s placement opportunities, giving advice on the application process and coaching on different interview techniques.

After I finished university, I was so excited to return to the firm to start my role as an audit associate! This opened so many doors to new opportunities and my confidence continued to build. I started speaking at induction events, getting involved in small charity events, and taking part in the buddy scheme for any new associates joining the firm. I felt passionate about amplifying the message that we as a firm prioritise our people and wanted to help the associates feel supported throughout the start of their career and beyond.

When I was asked to speak to a financial director quite early on in my placement, it really helped me come out of my shell and feel more confident in myself and my work.

Embracing new opportunities in audit learning 

My career has since taken a different direction than I originally set out on. After a couple of years in commercial audit, I was approached by my people manager about a secondment opportunity in the audit learning team. I’d been involved with training and running the local inductions, and they saw how engaged I was with the associates and my drive to make a difference to their experience.

The role seemed like the perfect fit for me, and I was offered a job share where I could split my time between commercial audit and the audit learning team. That would change just two months later when I was invited to speak on a panel for Talent 23, our annual induction conference for trainees. After noticing my growing skills in public speaking and passion for people, my people manager encouraged me to pursue the full-time secondment to the audit learning team, which has since become a permanent role.

Stepping away from a commercial audit role that I knew so well was challenging at first, but my time with the audit learning team has been amazing. Our team produces training materials to make sure all audit teams are equipped to take on their day-to-day roles and responsibilities, and train internal facilitators so they’re prepared to deliver our courses. I love being involved in so many new projects and working with people and teams that I otherwise might not have if I hadn’t taken the opportunity.

Looking to the future

I’ve always seen a future with Grant Thornton. Although the career path I imagined has changed slightly, being supported by the commercial audit team to transition into audit learning felt like the perfect move for my career.

The firm offers so many diverse opportunities to help you to find roles, responsibilities and skills that complement your work style and personality. I’m such a people person, so having the opportunity to network with wider teams has encouraged me to think outside of the box about my future. I want to make people’s learning experiences the best they can be, and I’d love to continue working in roles where I can really make that difference.