Reece, who is based at our Letchworth office, joined George Hay in October 2020 as a Trainee Accountant, having graduated with a degree in Business & Finance from the University of Lincoln.
Reece supports the accounts team with preparing company accounts for sole traders, partnerships, and limited companies.
Q1. What three words would you use to describe yourself?
Ambitious, Collected & Dependable.
Q2. How do you feel your degree in Business & Finance has helped you in your present role, and what appealed to you about working for George Hay?
My degree has assisted me in many ways. Having that background and core knowledge of how the finance industry works and operates enabled me to quickly familiarize myself with the work we do at George Hay. It also means I have a strong foundation already in place, that I can start with and build on when something new and challenging comes across my desk – in a sense, it makes those more challenging tasks less daunting than they might otherwise be with no prior knowledge.
Even having graduated, I still appreciate that every opportunity to learn is a good one and I’m always ready to better myself and my work, which is part of the reason George Hay was so appealing.
George Hay has an excellent record of developing young people and giving them opportunities to develop their skills via, for example, exposure to audit and a varied client base. These were huge benefits for me as I have the opportunity to qualify with support, whilst being exposed to many different areas of accountancy.
My colleagues in the Letchworth office are relatable and always ready to support me, as they either have been or currently are in a similar position to myself.
Q3. What is your food heaven, and food hell?
You can’t go wrong with an authentic Carbonara. On the other hand, I would have to say mushrooms, I’ve never understood why anyone would want to eat a fungus!
Q4. Your specialist subject on Mastermind would be…
Possibly National Flags… for some reason, I seem to have a good knowledge of them!
Q5. What one word would you use to describe George Hay?
Supportive.
Q6. Tell us something we’d find on your bucket list?
I would have to say Sky Diving; I’ve always wanted to do it.
Q7. You’ve been with George Hay for just over a year now. How has your role evolved in that time (i.e., involvement with clients, responsibilities, putting studies into practice)?
My role has gone in many different directions over the past year, which is no bad thing!
As a Trainee, Covid sometimes got in the way of being so ‘hands on’, but ultimately, I’ve been able to commence my studies and still had the opportunity to work with a diverse range of clients. I’m also really pleased to have had the opportunity to support with three onsite audits, which I was able to take some great insight and learnings away from.
Q8. With Halloween just around the corner, if you were hosting a ‘scary movie’ night, which would you choose?
I’m not really a big scary movie fan! That being said, I would probably do a haunted house type experience, if I had the opportunity.
Q9. Your profile tells us you enjoy playing both golf and football. Which would you take up professionally, if you were to do so and how did you get into the sports?
It would have to be Football. Football has always been my main love when it comes to sport, and I have been playing since around the age of five. Not so long ago, I was part of Luton Town Academy but, unfortunately, I tore my ACL and had to drop out. Off the back of that, I decided to go to University and pursue a career in accounting.
Q10. What do you enjoy most about working with a diverse client base, and what advice would you give to other graduates looking for their first role in accountancy?
Interacting with such a variety of people and getting to learn about their businesses is great.
I would say embrace it, and don’t hold back! Ask as many questions as you can (even if at times you think they might be obvious, or silly) to always ensure you walk away with the best understanding possible.
