The accountancy profession is one that offers people a real choice in terms of career pathway. Some choose to start straight from school, many go on to higher education first and others join later in life.
We are seeing more diverse options developing for people to study and work in our industry, including apprenticeships, attracting team members at different stages in their career.
We understand that each person brings their own skills and qualities depending on their experiences and background. We celebrate the diversity this creates within our business and the benefits it delivers to our clients.
In our latest Careers in Focus profile we meet up with exam qualified accountant Jayne Emery and learn about her journey with Thomson Cooper so far.
What were you doing before joining Thomson Cooper?
I was working for a small accountancy firm in Perth with a mixed portfolio of general clientele. Before that I gained a degree in Business through The Open University so I could combine studying with my job as a groom for a professional event rider at the time.
Why did you decide to join Thomson Cooper?
I have a keen interest in agriculture and Thomson Cooper offered the opportunity to specialise in this sector. The firm is big enough to offer a challenging and diverse workload but small enough to still retain a personal touch, and that was important to me.
What is your role?
I am an accountant within the Agriculture department which is led by Agri Partner Mark Gibson. A dedicated team of experienced staff help Mark to support his large farming portfolio.
What exams have you passed so far?
I completed my final ACCA exams in March 2023.
What have been the biggest challenges so far?
Balancing work, study and my personal life. I compete for Team GB in duathlon and triathlon competitions across Europe. I am fortunate that Thomson Cooper are very supportive of my sporting commitments and have provided sponsorship too.
What have the benefits been?
Thomson Cooper have been flexible with my working arrangements which makes it much easier come exam time. I also have great colleagues with a vast array of experience in different areas, so I am never short of someone to ask for help.
Next steps
I’m enjoying the summer with no exams now, but I have already started eyeing up the Chartered Tax Advisor qualification.
Top tips
Be realistic with your time – just because there is a free hour in your schedule doesn’t mean it should be filled!
Join our team
If you would like to join our team, check out our vacancies page for the latest positions.