Case Studies
Gemma Ward, Qualified Business Advisory Senior
"I studied Accountancy and Finance at Robert Gordon University in Aberdeen, spending my third year on placement at a north east Chartered Accountants firm, where I was involved in accounts preparation. I graduated in 2005 and joined Hall Morrice LLP immediately thereafter as an Accounts Assistant.
"Since joining Hall Morrice LLP, I've worked in various fields including year end accounts and audit and been seconded to a number of clients. I qualified as a Chartered Accountant at the end of 2008 and felt that the Partners and Directors at Hall Morrice LLP were very accommodating and supportive throughout my studies”.
"I really enjoy the variety of my job; there are different challenges every day, and Hall Morrice LLP has given me the opportunity to expand my knowledge on a wide range of accountancy issues.”
Tip for pursuing a career in Accountancy and Finance:
"If possible, try and secure a placement at a small to medium-sized firm. In my experience, smaller accountancy outfits will give you plenty of opportunities to experience different areas of accountancy, whereas typically a larger firm will streamline you into one department."
Kelly Munro, Senior Manager, Business Advisory
"I was introduced to Hall Morrice LLP during the third year of my Accountancy and Finance Degree when I spent time with the team on my placement. On graduating in 2004, I was offered a permanent job with the firm which I eagerly accepted. Luckily, the year I spent with Hall Morrice LLP on placement counted as a third of my three year Chartered Accountancy training, which meant that I finished my training in 2007, instead of 2008.
After qualifying, I joined the Business Advisory Team and remain with them to this day. My job entails spending a significant amount of time working in clients' offices, examining their cash flow situations and making financial forecasts. I also work with the Corporate Finance department to review the financial circumstances of companies involved in large acquisition or merger deals.
Working in the Business Advisory Team is very fast-paced, and there's a lot of ad hoc work involved so you have to be quite adaptable. I really enjoy the interpersonal aspect to the job; getting out and about to meet clients and trying to find quick solutions to their problems."
Tip for pursuing a career in Accountancy and Finance:
"Once you've gained your qualifications, the next most important thing to acquire for a career in accountancy is interpersonal and communication skills. Working alongside clients on a regular basis is a major part of my job so it's important to build up good relationships and maintain communication and trust."
Eric John Summers, Manager, Business Advisory
"I joined the team at Hall Morrice as a Chartered Accountancy student direct from The Robert Gordon’s University in 2006 after studying a degree in Accounting and Finance. I initially joined the Audit & Accounts group, where I continued to further my education by completing my Chartered Accountancy training."
"After I qualified, I took the opportunity to transfer to the Business Advisory group as I saw that this area offered a varied scope of work and would give me the chance to interact with clients."
"Within the Business Advisory team I have seen my remit grow towards taking the responsibility for managing by own pod members. My career has progressed more quickly than I could have hoped as a result of the support and opportunities made available to me within the firm. I value having the ability to contribute towards the wider management of the Business Advisory team."
"I am delighted to have become involved in client development for new and existing Business Advisory clients and have found that I can add value by identifying new opportunities for cross selling service lines within the firm."
Tip for pursuing a career in Accountancy and Finance:
"Make sure you have a good grasp of the basics of accountancy - it'll be invaluable when you move into a more varied role with additional responsibilities."
Paul Archibald, Qualified Senior, Audit and Accounts
"I initially joined Hall Morrice in July 2005 on a year's work placement whilst studying towards my degree in Accounting and Finance at RGU. I graduated with a first class honours, helped by the year of practical experience in many of the areas that my final year was based around. Following graduation I rejoined the team as a CA student and started my three year Chartered Accountancy training. I passed all of my CA professional exams at the first attempt and was delighted to become the first ICAS prize winner at Hall Morrice."
"As a qualified senior within the Audit & Accounts group, I provide audit and accounting services to a varied portfolio of audit clients in the oil and gas, utility, construction and waste management sectors. The wide variety of sectors and sizes of business that Hall Morrice provides services to ensures that each work day is different, with a different type of challenge always on the horizon."
"I thoroughly enjoy working at Hall Morrice; they have given me the opportunity to develop steadily from my first day working on a small sole trader business to the current day where I can now take control of an audit of a multi-million pound business as well as offering the support and opportunity for further development."
Tip for pursuing a career in Accountancy and Finance:
"Gain as much experience as possible in different areas of business to increase your knowledge base."
