Our people
Gemma went to Nottingham University where she studied Finance, Accounting and Management. She graduated in 2004 and is now part of our Business Assurance team in London.
“BDO Stoy Hayward is a global thinking company – but what impresses me most is that it actively encourages you to make the most of that fact.”
I suppose my degree gave me a bit of head start in the accounting world, but not as much of one as you might expect - the learning curve has still been very steep since I joined. The big difference is that once you’re here it’s all about the practical application of knowledge rather than the theory.
My team specialises in retail, advertising, media and communications companies. Some of my clients are the big names you’ll see on every high street; I also work with some very well known advertising and media companies.
Some companies have very specific reporting requirements depending on the work they do or where they’re based. Because we’re dealing with a number of clients that are based in the US, for instance, you get special training wherever you need it so I now know all the special rules that apply to US-based companies and the procedures we have to follow.
After my exams I’m not sure what I’ll do. It’s still quite a way off but I have to say the Post Qualified Development Programme has caught my eye. Basically you spend two years on four placements in different departments within the business. That will give me a chance to experience life in areas like tax, corporate finance and business restructuring and there could be a chance to go to one of our international offices for a while. I think there could be a bit of a theme developing in my career!
What makes me different? I used to be a cheerleader (I went to high school in Texas).