Why did you choose a career in audit?

I felt that audit was a very natural progression from my interest in economics after finishing my degree. Whilst my degree certainly contained its share of maths, it was also about understanding decision-making and assessing the impact of the numbers on the world. Audit appealed for the same reason as economics: it combines quantitative analysis, and understanding the numbers, with an understanding of how a business is operating and how operational decisions are influenced by the financial information.

Audit allows you to place yourself at the centre of a business, to understand how it works and operates, what issues it faces and how it seeks to overcome these. You get a deep understanding and appreciation of each client you audit, and it keeps fresh as no two audits are the same. Even audits of the same client for a different year will be different as you will have gained so much knowledge in between, you can look at the whole audit with a different perspective.

While you’re doing the job, there’s always something new to learn, whether that’s deepening your technical understanding of financial reporting or improving how you build relationships and understand processes. Being at a training firm like Kreston Reeves is extra rewarding, as you can see how the information you learn in the completion of your exams can directly translate into you having a better understanding of the work you are doing, allowing you to get more enjoyment out of the job in producing higher quality work.

How does it tie into your overall career plans?

When I joined as a trainee, I wasn’t entirely sure on what my long-term career path would be, which I think is quite normal for any recent graduate. Throughout my training at Kreston Reeves, I have found that I have really enjoyed the work and seeing the progression I make every year.

Looking ahead, I see myself staying in audit and progressing further within the firm. The skills I have learnt so far have provided a strong foundation to continue to grow, take on more complicated work and develop as a professional.

What skills are useful in audit?

Curiosity is one of the most important skills and auditor can have – asking questions and wanting to truly understand how and why things work. The best quality, and most rewarding work, is that which comes from challenging the information that is presented to you.

Alongside curiosity, I’ve found that analytical thinking is essential. So much of audit involves breaking down information, understanding the underlying drivers, and forming a clear, evidence‑based conclusion. The ability to explain complex concepts in a simple, understandable way is also extremely valuable, especially when working closely with clients or more junior members of staff and helping them see issues from a different perspective.

Adaptability is another key skill. No two clients, sectors or year‑ends are the same, and being comfortable adjusting, whether this be to new teams, systems, or other challenges, is a key component to ensuring your work progresses.

Do you have any advice for anyone wanting to enter the profession?

One of the biggest misconceptions I hear from people outside the profession is that audit is just about numbers or ticking boxes. That couldn’t be further from the truth. Audit is highly people‑focused, heavily based on judgement, and far broader than most expect. This means that anyone, no matter their background, can find something in the profession that they thrive in.

My advice to anyone thinking about entering the profession is to stay open‑minded and embrace the learning curve. You learn an enormous amount in a short space of time, including about businesses, finance, risk, communication and yourself. It’s incredibly rewarding to see your own progression; when you look back after a year, you realise how much more confident and capable you’ve become.

If you’re curious, enjoy problem‑solving, and want a role that genuinely challenges you while giving you a strong foundation for the future, audit is a fantastic place to start.