 Staff stories
| Cathy Bree |
 | Cathy obtained a degree in Economics from UCL, so accountancy seemed the obvious choice, but it was the people she met during her interview process that swayed her decision in favour of PKF.
“I received offers from several larger and smaller firms, but at PKF there seemed to be a relaxed atmosphere in the office and I felt that I would be happy working with the people. On top of this, I really wanted to go travelling before I started my career and PKF were flexible and supportive, deferring my starting date for a year. This made me feel really valued right from the start. |
“I started in the Assurance and Advisory department, along with a number of other new starters. I was surprised at the number of people who had degrees in non-relevant subjects. Before being sent out to any clients, we were sent on a series of courses to give us the basic knowledge, including several technical courses. During my first few months we were sent on a week-long residential course with all the new starters from the other offices. This was a great opportunity to meet people from all over the country, many of whom I am still in touch with now.
“Most of my assignments have involved between 2 and 5 team members and the length varies from 1 week to 2 months. This means that you get to work with a variety of students, all with different skills and personalities and at varying stages of the learning curve. I got support from those more experienced, and then before long it was me supporting others! In my first year alone I worked with a large percentage of the students and made loads of friends.
“I am now in my third year and have been the audit senior in the majority of my assignments for the last 8 months. At first this seemed like a scary prospect, but due to the great support network there are always peers or managers I can turn to if I need help with anything – even if that means grilling them after a few beers on a Friday night!
“Thinking about taking my career forward, I am considering seconding to PKF Australia for three months over the summer. I have also been looking into PKF’s Management Consultancy department, which is another popular choice among former students. I feel that I definitely made the right decision in joining PKF. The knowledge and skills that I have developed in just a short time have given me a great start to my career – whatever I decide to do to in the future.”
| Sian Parkin |
 | While studying for A Levels, I was eager to find a vocational qualification which could teach me a wide range of skills and prepare me for a worthwhile career in a way that university may not. I applied for my role at PKF as a Trainee Business Adviser during my final year at school through the PKF website, after finding it on a listing of top accountancy firms. After completing the online forms and tests, I was invited down for two interviews in the London office. What struck me about PKF during my interviews, and indeed ever since I started work, was PKF’s respect for those studying via the AAT route. PKF appreciates the amount of work experience AAT’s gain, and the skills involved in studying and working at the same time. |
After finishing my A Levels in August 2008 I moved down to London from North Yorkshire to take up the position at PKF. All London trainees attended a book keeping course together in the office, so we all felt comfortable when we started work. We also have further training provided by PKF, in addition to our AAT studies, which allow us to perform better in our role. Currently my role involves working as the junior on a range of corporate and charity audit jobs, but I also have a number of other jobs in the Business Risk Services, and the Audit Commission department. I couldn’t describe a typical day; I may be out at a client, in the office, in a meeting, at college or on a course (the residential courses are the best!).
| Fiona Thomson |
 | I joined the Glasgow office's graduate training programme in 1992 after graduating from Heriott Watt University in Edinburgh. I heard of PKF via the university's recruitment service, which gave me the ICAS directory of firms in Scotland that recruit and train students. PKF was advertising five positions, and it appealed to me to be one of five students instead of one of 25, as was the case with some of the larger firms listed in the brochure. |
During the interview process, I was struck by how friendly and approachable the partners and staff were. Everyone was on first name terms, which was not the case in some of the other firms that had interviewed me. The training programme was well organised, with regular residential training courses to supplement the block release classes at the Institute. This enabled us to meet other students from the other offices and develop personal skills. Since qualifying in 1992, I have been based mainly in the assurance and advisory services department.
I enjoy working with our clients which range from small start-up businesses to fully listed public companies. Our main client base in Glasgow is owner-managed businesses that often don't have in-house financial controllers or finance directors. They come to us for advice on a wide range of business issues, making our work varied and interesting – no two days are the same.
But I believe the best thing about PKF are its people. They are what make us different and allow us to provide a high-quality service to our clients. It is much easier to get up for work in the morning when you get along with the people you work with.
| Ken Thompson Marchesi |
 | Many people appear shocked when I tell them that I left my previous career on film sets, shouting "Action!" and "Cut!" to become an accountant. They invariably ask: "Why would you?"
My answer is, precisely because accountancy offers everything that film does not: internationally recognised qualifications, results-based progress, a clear career path, great earning potential… Need I go on? Oh, all right then. Regular hours and pay, the structure to plan one's own life, great benefits, and much more besides.
|
Accountancy appealed to the logical side of my thinking, which years ago led me to study Mathematics at Oxford. I also had an underlying interest in business assessment and evaluation, previously explored with stints working in asset management.
After applying to several firms, I ultimately chose PKF because the people I met here smiled more than other firms. The same still holds true.
Applying as I had during the height of the credit crunch, I was one of a smaller intake. Nevertheless I was surprised that, at 28, I was not the senior citizen that I thought I would be. There is a fantastic spread of people at PKF, from all backgrounds, and every one of them made us ‘newbies’ feel at home from the get-go.
I am hugely enjoying the varied and thorough training program PKF offers, and can see why it is the envy of so many rival firms. Applying freshly learned and specific knowledge to one's work is not only an excellent means of consolidation, but also gives the unique thrill of tangible improvement.
I have had the opportunity to work on all manner of clients in the 6 months since I joined PKF, from venture capital trusts to waste management firms, through mining companies and private schools. I am getting a far broader perspective than I could have hoped for at any of the Big 4, and I’m happily taking on increasing amounts of responsibility as I progress through my training contract.
I aim to follow the ICAEW route on completing the AAT qualification, and once I qualify I should like to use my languages and seek secondment to one of the other PKF International member firms, such as Spain, or in another department of the UK firm.
The longer I spend at PKF, the more I think I may well serve my entire future career here. Why wouldn't I?
Chris Cumber
When I was at University, a lecturer explained that there was a lot of competition for training contracts and that the interview process would be rigorous. Therefore I decided that it would be sensible to apply to a wide number of accountancy firms and not to limit myself to the four largest. As I researched the firms further I also realised that there was much more to consider in selecting the right firm.
So why did I choose PKF? From reading company literature and talking to people from within the organisation, I believed PKF would be the best choice for me. They offered excellent opportunities for development within a structure that seemed very solid, by encouraging support from partner level right down to fellow graduate trainees. There was also a well structured internal learning course to complement a good college for the exam tuition. The size of the firm also meant it was large enough to have the reputation and provide the support I wanted, but not overwhelmingly large – I would still be able to be a key part of the team and work closely with others.
In my short time with PKF, I have had the chance to experience many sectors of business. These include charities, central government organisations, manufacturing firms and specialist consultancy work. In addition to this work, within the Assurance & Advisory department, I have also enjoyed a secondment to the Forensic accounting department.
So what else can I expect? Well, as my trainee contract comes to an end, I have the possibility of further secondments, whether to another country – Australia, maybe! – or to another department such as Taxation or Corporate Recovery & Insolvency. I also have the possibility of further progression with my department by getting involved in some of our sector specialisms.
As a trainee, I wanted a firm that would provide challenges and opportunities, but which would also train me, motivate and support me. Most importantly, I wanted somewhere that would let me enjoy my work and help me make that transition from student life to the working world. I chose PKF, and it’s a decision that I don’t regret.
|