Chris Docherty spent 13 years at big4 firm, EY, achieving Audit Partner after 12 years. However, after only a year in post, he left the firm and Audit to pursue an opportunity as a Partner in the global accounting and advisory business, CFGI, as their lead for Scotland and additional UK Partner.

We discuss his journey to Partner at EY and CFGI as well as topics such as the stigma around being an ACCA student, appraisals and culture and his mindset when facing challenges and barriers.

It was interesting to hear from someone who decided to take a different path so soon after becoming a Partner rather than the common route of being a Partner for a couple of decades and then going into industry as a CFO for example. It just shows how valuable working in Audit and professional services is!

OUTLINE OF TIMINGS

00:00-6:23: Introduction and how the journey into Audit and Accounting started

6:24- 10:37: Training in the big four via the ACCA route and the perceived stigma around being an ACCA student

10:38-14:16: His journey to Partner including secondments and opportunities that created loyalty

14:16-15:15: What was enjoyable about working in Audit as he progressed in EY

15:15-18:07: What helped Chris make that extra step to Partner and why did he stay in Audit rather than go into industry

18:08-20:15: How should appraisals be done.

20:16-25:08: Making sacrifices whilst working in big4 audit and studying to be an Accountant

25:08-30:01: Why did Chris leave EY when he hadn’t been Partner for long?

30:02-32:56: What does his current role as Partner at CFGI involve?

32:57-35:36: Personal and professional goals for the next 12 months

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Bruce Cartwright is currently the CEO of ICAS and had previously spent 30 years in big4 restructuring with many of those as a Partner.

We discuss the importance of ethics, especially as an Accountant and how to respond if faced with pressure to act unethically. Other topics include why and what he enjoyed about working in restructuring and professional services including some interesting stories.

This is a really interesting episode filled with lots of stories, insights and advice.

OUTLINE OF TIMINGS

00:00-6:28:Introduction, upbringing and starting a career in Accounting

6:28-12:00: The world of restructuring as a young person and “Cartwright says he HOPES people will get home for Christmas”

12:00-17:11: Why did he stay in professional services and restructuring for 30 years? (and some chat about debits and credits!)

17:12-19:26: Being the CEO of ICAS.

19:27-23:32: “Ethical Leadership since 1854”. The strategy, vision and purpose of ICAS.

23:32-26:58: The importance of ethics and trust is vitally important. Should Accountants be TESTED on ethics post-qualifying?

26:58-39:10: Pressure on Accountants to act unethically and what to do, including his own experience.

39:10-42:06: Professional and personal goals for the next 12 months

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As CEO of Entrepreneurial Scotland, Sean discusses his current role and the organisation’s flagship programme designed to find, grow and connect students with the ambition and potential of becoming future leaders for Scotland, called The Saltire Scholar Programme.

We discuss his career from Sales and working for the likes of Red Bull to Accounting & Finance where he trained in the big four before moving into industry. Other topics include the challenge of being consumed by a job you are passionate about, managing your career and finding the best leaders of tomorrow.

This podcast is for anyone looking to train as a chartered accountant, for anyone keen to hear about life in professional services and for senior leaders of any business.

OUTLINE OF TIMINGS

00:00-6:38: Introduction. Sean’s upbringing and early career from Sales to Accounting.

6:39-9:04: Why he moved from sales to studying as a chartered accountant in his early 30’s.

9:05-12:09: How sales have helped his career and how having the chartered accountant status has helped.

12:10-15:39: Motivations for making career moves. What’s important to us should drive our decision-making.

15:40-19:51: What does being a senior leader in professional services require from your life?

19:52-23:53: Actively managing your career with opportunities to learn and develop as a leader.

23:54-31:44: The demands and responsibilities of his current role and how he needs to be better at separating work and personal life.

31:45-33:27: The importance of having a break and rest from work.

33:28-39:28: The Saltire Scholar Scholar Programme – finding the best young talent and tomorrow’s future leaders.

39:29-42:10: Professional and personal goals for the next 12 months.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.