Careers

When did you start at Shaw Gibbs and what was your first role here?

Having finished university in Southampton in June 1998, I was looking to start a career in Accountancy. I was fortunate enough to be offered a Job at Shaw Gibbs as a trainee and started training for the ICAEW accountancy qualification.

Why did you choose to work at Shaw Gibbs?

When going for the initial interview at Shaw Gibbs, I immediately liked the office and Oxford - I could see myself working there. However, what really attracted me to the firm was the people who I met during my interview process. They were all incredibly friendly and cared a lot about their business and spoke passionately about their clients.

What is your current role and what does it involve?

Nearly 20 years after that initial interview, and having gone from being trainee to being qualified and then specialising in Corporate Finance work, I took over as Managing Director of the firm in April 2016. A development that was only made possible by the training and support given to me by the firm and something that I still believe is very important in how we run our organisation. In my day to day role, my key focus is managing the firm and delivering our strategies, employing the best people and providing a high quality complete service to our clients. All of this is only achieved by having great people, and interesting and varied clients. Both of which help make the firm the success it is today.

What do you love about your job?

It is an exciting time to be working at Shaw Gibbs as last November we expanded our operations by opening a second office in London’s West End. Our knowledge of the London market indicates a growing demand for accounting services that are driven by value, technology and high standards of practice.

What makes Shaw Gibbs a great place to work?

Everyone joining Shaw Gibbs will get plenty of varied and interesting work, early opportunities for development and a friendly and supportive environment in which to learn.

Since joining at the start of the year, Shaw Gibbs have created an extremely welcoming and supportive environment. Coming from a non-accounting background, I have been provided with excellent training and always feel I can ask someone if I have any queries.

They have given me the opportunity to work on a wide variety of clients and tasks, making sure I am challenged and pushed to progress my accountancy career as fast as possible. From my first few weeks I was interacting directly with clients, visiting their offices and taking charge of areas of their financial needs.

Working in a newly opened London Office that is aiming for growth has given me the opportunity to gain responsibility early and complete work that may have been given to those more senior had I been working in a larger office. Gaining this level of work and responsibility this early in my career is extremely exciting and rewarding.

When did you start at Shaw Gibbs and what was your first role here?

I started at Shaw Gibbs in 2011 as an HR Assistant.

Why did you choose to work at Shaw Gibbs?

I was relocating at the time and having done some research on companies within the area, Shaw Gibbs seemed to tick all the boxes I was looking for in terms of culture and attitude towards training and development.

What is your current role and what does it involve?

My role as a PA to the Managing Director and Office Manager entails working closely with our MD, helping him to organise his day and provide excellent client service. My role also includes looking after the office, making sure everyone has a pleasant environment to work in and running the Admin/Facilitates team, providing important internal support to employees and external support to clients.

What do you love about your job?

That every day is different and you never quite know what is going to happen. I enjoy helping people to make their working day better.

What makes Shaw Gibbs a great place to work?

The opportunities that they provide to employees - I started here as an HR Assistant and they provided training support for me to complete my CIPD, having completed that I was then able to progress to HR Administrator and on to HR Advisor. At every point, my manager provided me with support and the work to allow me to progress. I then had the opportunity to take on the PA to the MD and Office Manager role on a trial basis, allowing me to see if the change in direction would work for both me and the company.

The best part about Shaw Gibbs is the people - they are such a lovely, friendly bunch to work with and a lot of fun.

When did you start at Shaw Gibbs and what was your first role here?

I joined Shaw Gibbs as a Trainee Accountant in August 2014.

What is your current role and what does it involve?

My current role is within the Audit and Accounts department. While training, you get to do both accounts preparation and go out and complete audits at the clients’ premises. There is a wide variation of work that we do from bookkeeping and VAT returns through to the bigger jobs such as preparing the accounts to auditing them. My role currently involves doing some accounts and audit work as well as helping clients set up and implement new software solutions for their business.

What makes Shaw Gibbs a great place to work?

Shaw Gibbs is a very supportive place to work. Not only are we supported through our studies at college, but we are also very well supported within the office. Colleagues are always very happy to help answer any questions, and will always be willing to help if you have a client that needs additional advice.

It is also a very friendly place to work with a good balance between work and social life.

You will always feel part of a team at Shaw Gibbs - this creates an energetic work environment where you can easily create and share new ideas.

I am the Accounts Manager in our London office and we are hiring new people into the London team to expand our client base.

Growing our London office is a central part of our business strategy and so it is a really exciting time to be joining Shaw Gibbs.

When did you start at Shaw Gibbs and what was your first role here?

I started at Shaw Gibbs in November 2010 as a Receptionist.

Why did you choose to work at Shaw Gibbs?

I worked part time in a school and was looking for full time employment. When I came for an interview, I could tell that Shaw Gibbs would be the right place for me. Everyone seemed very friendly and a very professional and smart firm to work for. The offices impressed me and the location in Summertown is very nice.

What is your current role and what does it involve?

I am employed as a Receptionist, which involves many duties but mainly helping callers with their queries and greeting all visitors and clients.

What do you love about your job?

I enjoy meeting different people on a daily basis and each day is so varied.

What makes Shaw Gibbs a great place to work?

Shaw Gibbs is a great place to work because everyone is so friendly and nice. The Social committee also arranges plenty of fun things to do throughout the year. I am in my 7th year here and still enjoy coming to work!

The variety of clients and the work involved at Shaw Gibbs is what keeps the role interesting and different on a daily basis. It always keeps me on top of my current knowledge and expands it further.

When did you start at Shaw Gibbs and what was your first role here?

I started at Shaw Gibbs in January 2019 as a Corporate Finance Executive.

Why did you choose to work at Shaw Gibbs?

As a recent graduate I was searching for a career in the financial industry at a place that would give me the proper tools and training to succeed while also allowing me to have an impact within the company. When going through the interview process with my current boss it was apparent that Shaw Gibbs was a company that gives their young employees legitimate responsibilities while also helping them grow as young professionals. They further proved their trust in me when they were willing to sponsor me on a working visa.

What is your current role and what does it involve?

My role as a Corporate Finance Executive differs depending on the day, and even the hour. In the morning, we could be meeting with prospective clients, giving them a pitch on acquiring businesses, then that afternoon, I will be writing a report on a prospective acquisition target for a client we are currently engaged with. I preform valuations for companies, which involves going through their financials, researching the marketplace and sector, and adjusting for factors that make their particular company unique. I am on the phone speaking with owners and executives, setting up meetings between our clients and themselves. Corporate Finance is a action-packed role where I am able to preform various different tasks, every day is new and exciting.

What do you love about your job?

Having the chance to work with so many unique clients makes the job one that I look forward to every day. Our clients come from various backgrounds, are in different times in their life, and have such different personalities; it is a joy to assist these people with impactful decisions such as, disposing their business. My colleagues are also a delight, everyone in the office is incredibly friendly, talented and hard-working, but, they still enjoy grabbing an after-work drink.

What makes Shaw Gibbs a great place to work?

The fact that each day brings something new. Each project that I work on is unlike the one which preceded it, I am constantly learning and developing as a professional. Also, living in Oxford, there are many personalities and the office is no different and although that is the case, everyone is respectful, friendly, and socialable.

When did you start at Shaw Gibbs and what was your first role here?

I started in August 2014 as a Chartered Financial Planner.

Why did you choose to work at Shaw Gibbs?

My first impression of Shaw Gibbs was a vibrant, forward looking organisation who value their employees highly. The great team ethic is very much apparent and everyone looks after one another. I was also drawn in by the great location – the Oxford office is in a truly lovely part of the city.

What is your current role and what does it involve?

As a Financial Planner, I help clients to make smarter decisions with their money. I help them to achieve a lifestyle they designed, rather than one they are given. To me, that’s what proper financial planning is all about.

What do you love about your job?

I get a great buzz from being able to make a real difference to people’s lives. The chance to see clients who can now truly enjoy their fulfilled retirement years – people who can enjoy gifting money to their family because they have a new found confidence and reassurance in money. It’s a great feeling.

What makes Shaw Gibbs a great place to work?

The chance to work with a great team. Everyone has real character – they put 100% into their work but lead really interesting lives outside the office too.

Managing a varied client portfolio and the opportunity to build strong client relationships means no two days are the same.

When did you start at Shaw Gibbs and what was your first role here?

I joined Shaw Gibbs in October 2018 as a Manager in the Corporate Finance department.

Why did you choose to work at Shaw Gibbs?

Before joining Shaw Gibbs my family and I had just moved from London to Oxfordshire and I had been on maternity leave for a year. I was keen to go back to work and was looking for something local where I could work part time. I was delighted to be offered my role at Shaw Gibbs, corporate finance is often associated with long hours so I thought I would need to move into another area of accountancy. Here at Shaw Gibbs I was able to continue to work in corporate finance and also have a great balance between work and family life. Right from the start, when I had my interview, I was aware that Shaw Gibbs would be flexible in relation to my hours and working part time.

What is your current role and what does it involve?

My role as a Corporate Finance Manager is incredibly varied, projects can last anything from a couple of weeks to well over a year and no two clients are the same. I am involved in all stages of the projects I work on, from the initial pitch and writing the engagement letter to sending out a final report and attending completion drinks! In corporate finance we are always thinking about the pipeline so there is a lot of business development in order to generate new business.

What do you love about your job?

Our corporate clients are mainly owner managed businesses and SMEs, this means that I am often meeting clients who either started their business from scratch or went into the family business. I love hearing their story, getting a real understanding for what their business does and advising them on how they can achieve their plans.

What makes Shaw Gibbs a great place to work?

Working as a team – the corporate finance team is small and we work incredibly well together, we are always bouncing ideas off each other and using each other’s strengths. We also work closely with other departments, everyone is very approachable making it easy to use their expertise as and when required when advising clients.

When did you start at Shaw Gibbs and what was your first role here?

I started at Pearson & Buchholz Limited in August 2013 as a Trainee Accountant. We merged with Shaw Gibbs in December 2018.

What is your current role and what does it involve?

I am currently an Accounts Senior which involves maintaining a portfolio of clients to ensure they comply with the current accountancy legislation and regulatory bodies by preparing the company’s financial statements and corporation tax returns. I also line manage two trainees which requires me to train them in accounts preparation and the company procedures to help develop their skills for the futures they have at Shaw Gibbs.

What do you love about your job?

I love working with a variety of clients but mostly I like being able to help with their own unique challenges they face. I find it rewarding being able to use the skills I have obtained through training and working in practice to be able to help others progress and excel in what they do best. The other part of my job I love is training new members of staff. It motivates me to see my colleagues passionate about learning and the profession and to watch them evolve over time.

What makes Shaw Gibbs a great place to work?

Since becoming part of Shaw Gibbs, I have felt encouraged to develop myself through training for my qualification but also for my longer term career. The opportunities to develop a long lasting and fulfilling career are available through training and internal HR schemes.

When did you start at Shaw Gibbs and what was your first role here?

I started at Shaw Gibbs in February 2018 as a Trainee Accountant.

Why did you choose to work at Shaw Gibbs?

Shaw Gibbs appeals due to its dedication to your training and development. Leaving to go to college with the comfort of your workload not overflowing means you can revise and prepare for exams with peace of mind. This cannot be said for all firms with many of my peers at college really struggling to cope with both. This paired with internal training and development mainly through the dedication of the managers means you are in the best place to learn and develop.

What is your current role and what does it involve?

My role as a Junior Accountant means I am already an integral part of the compliance team. Working through the whole process from client to final accounts. This can include emailing clients directly giving me the full exposure to the requirements of being an accountant. In audit I have already planned, prepared and finished a whole job which shows the progression that can be made in 18 months. This includes working closely with the client to understand there company and how their finances work.

What do you love about your job?

The people. Shaw Gibbs hires the best people to work with. Like minded, ambitious and great to be around.

What makes Shaw Gibbs a great place to work?

Shaw gibbs offers a wide range of clients which means you see the whole spectrum of work available from our most affluent of clients to loss making clients. Another great thing about Shaw Gibbs is the team aspect of working here. You are never alone in that there is always someone willing to help you out if you need it.