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ARE ACCOUNTANTS DULL PEOPLE IN GREY SUITS? |
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This time of year is notorious for employment changes and embarking on new careers. The financial services industry is a top-rated profession and the range of opportunities for the financially orientated is rapidly increasing. The war for talent hots up as graduates leave university and established professionals become aware of wider options. People from three of Mazars regional offices in Oxford, Milton Keynes and Bedford give an insight into its flagship learning organisation, dispelling myths of accountancy. Liz Erskine, Corporate Finance Manager at Mazars and previous winner of Fox FM’s ‘Best Boss’ competition, shares her career changing experience. “I had a successful, seventeen year career in banking and applied for promotion each time I felt the need for a new challenge. Every progression entailed increased responsibility for clients and employees. Eventually, realising there might be an opportunity to make a more significant change without compromising my existing skills, I spoke to Mark Standish of Mazars. Knowing how banks work, I now sit on the opposite side of the desk, helping clients write workable business plans to ensure they receive adequate financial backing in acquisitions and mergers. I enjoy opening their eyes to alternative routes that directly improve their personal and professional livelihoods.” Modern graduates have grown up in a multicultural, globalised world. Compared to previous generations, they have received a longer education, like to travel further and have benefited from access to record-breaking amounts of information throughout their lives. “Today’s graduates carry strong, entrepreneurial tendencies. They are already using technology as a daily tool before embarking on employment. This is an exciting generation, packed with out-of-the-box thinkers, they are keen to learn new skills, meet challenges and continually develop. Channelling this creativity and energy while gaining understanding of what graduates can bring to an organisation is critical in our environment,” explained Phil Verity, Regional Managing Partner of Mazars. Mazars’ ethos in creating new roles aligns with the common, short and long-term career objectives of talented individuals. Continual recruitment to keep up with accelerating business growth has brought expertise in discerning the factors deriving optimal work/life balance and job satisfaction. Nick Goodrum joined Mazars straight from university as a Commercial and Charity Audit Assistant on a specialist, graduate scheme. He is delighted to retain his sideline occupation as a ski instructor without compromising his ambitions within business and finance. “Making a difference to individuals, yet still working for an international organisation is a huge attraction to Mazars. My training centres on personal ability so I am given appropriate responsibility as I develop. My superiors treat me like a person rather than a number. Knowing I am a valued team member is extremely important,” he commented. As a proud, new, motorbike owner Nick volunteered his business case. “It helps me get to work quickly in heavy traffic.” Nathan Ash joined the corporate services team straight from school. “If you are interested in business and finance, Mazars is the best way into industry and a fantastic alternative to university without social sacrifice. My colleagues and I joined forces with trainees from local banks and solicitors in an RBS competition at Bletchley Park. We took board-level roles in a fictitious company and worked through a range of business lifecycle scenarios. We made the most profit and won the competition. It was a great way to build friendships with others at the same stage of their careers. There is every possibility that we will work together for clients in the future.” Gone are the days when accountants relied on calculators and giant spreadsheets. Mazars excels at confronting popular myths about accountancy and openly provides wisdom for those starting a career or changing direction within business and finance. In their hunt for the X factor, Mazars has produced an award winning booklet, revered as the ultimate reality check for graduate exploration. - ENDS – Issued on behalf of Mazars LLP by Rachael Bonfield, Solution Factors Ltd.
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