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 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!

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

I started at Shaw Gibbs in September 2012 and so I will soon be approaching my 6 year anniversary here. I had studied Business and Maths at Oxford Brookes and came straight into Shaw Gibbs as a trainee. As a trainee I got all the help, support and experience I needed to progress through my accountancy qualification and I qualified in January 2016. After completing my studies I decided to stay at Shaw Gibbs due to the amazing people, brilliant progression opportunities and because the firm is fun and dynamic.

Why did you choose to work at Shaw Gibbs?

To be honest, when I finished university I didn’t have a ‘set path’ of what I wanted to do. I had researched a few different roles and what each of them would look like for me as a career. I’m not your typical accountant, I’m bubbly and fun, and therefore I decided if I did want to go down the route of accountancy, I needed to find somewhere that would compliment my personality type. During the interview stage, Shaw Gibbs asked if I would do a psychometric test in order that they could understand my personality and how I liked to work. I received a copy of the results in the form of a report and it was spot on! I was so pleased with how I been portrayed and it truly reflected how I thought of myself. This gave me the confidence that they were hiring me for who I was, now for who I had imagined an accountant to be! During the interview I was shown around the offices which I thought were amazing, and it was right in the center of Summertown, and area which I already loved. I had done my research on Shaw Gibbs and it was and continues to be one of the most prestigious accountancy firms in Oxford, and so I was over the moon when I was I was offered a job.

What is your current role and what does it involve?

I have progressed all the way through from trainee and I’m not a manager. I have my own portfolio of clients who I look after and have regular contact with. I give them advice to help progress their companies and I’m always available when they have any questions. I also manage two of our most recent trainees. I’m involved in both audit and accounts clients, and I enjoy the experience and opportunity that both bring. In fact one of the best things about Shaw Gibbs is the fact they have been completely flexible with my progression and supported any choices I have made.

What do you love about your job?

As a whole, my favorite thing is interacting with my clients. That looks different depending on what I’m doing, from going out for client meetings where I’m able to give them practical recommendations regarding their business to telephone conversations when they’re stuck. But actually, you could get client interaction anywhere.

Therefore, my favourite thing about Shaw Gibbs is the people. Shaw Gibbs is full of forward thinking, encouraging people. There is no way I would have got to where I am today without the support and encouragement of the people I work with. I love the fact the Shaw Gibbs recruit the best people, even if that means it taking longer to fill the position.

What makes Shaw Gibbs a great place to work?

Shaw Gibbs has such a wide range of clients that you always have the opportunity to grow, it allows each member of our team to run with their own specialties and Shaw Gibbs encourages and support these.

The people are great. We’re a very close team and get on really well. Our office is filled with fun and laughter, yet everyone is hard working and dedicated to their roles. I think this is so evident in the work we produce and the feedback we received from our clients.

The opportunity for progression has also been important for me. It’s been very clear through my entire career what I need to do in order to progress, and steps have always been put in place to open up those opportunities for me.

Why wouldn’t you work at Shaw Gibbs!?

I joined Shaw Gibbs as a trainee 6 and a half years ago - I had little accountancy knowledge other than having studied Business Studies at A-level. I have since qualified as a Chartered Certified Accountant and now run my own portfolio of clients advising them on accounts and tax related issues. I work within a great team and we have developed a fun and rewarding place to work. I particularly like the fact that I know everyone who works in the firm and know we are willing to support and help each other.

Shaw Gibbs invests heavily in the amount and quality of training to all staff in the form of both external and internal training. Directors and senior staff dedicate a lot of time and attention to develop staff and realise their full potential which I am personally grateful for. I know that the training is ongoing and this will continue to have a positive impact on my development going forwards.

Accountancy is a constantly evolving industry and Shaw Gibbs is a pro-active firm which means my weeks are genuinely interesting in dealing with the new challenges and opportunities we face. One of the most exciting aspects of my role is the ability to meet and deal with a wide range of people and businesses on a daily basis.

We are very active in the business community which means I have been able to build a growing network of professional contacts which is really important to our business development and the growth of the practice.

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.