Corporate Finance Advisory Associate Review

I rated my experience 10/10 simply because I have had one of the most challenging, yet rewarding and enjoyable years of my life. The amount of responsibility that I have had throughout the year has been incredible and the degree to which I have developed on both a personal and professional level as a result has been a testament to this.

If I could think of one reason to choose Grant Thornton over any other competing firm, it will have to be because of the culture and values the people stand for. The people I have met whilst working at Grant Thornton are incredibly intelligent and at the same time are the nicest and supporting people I have met before.

Grant Thornton very much drive a coaching style environment so the continuous support I have received from not only my mentor but all of the different Directors and Partners in my team has been unprecedented. I also found that that despite the 'hierarchical difference' between myself and the Partners, they are all extremely approachable and have always been willing to offer me their time despite their very busy schedules.

My role as a Corporate Finance Advisory Associate has meant that my workload has fluctuated throughout the year (as it is very much project based). Nonetheless, I have myself been able to support the time every single day of my placement, whether that is on live transactions or for future business development activities.

I was given an enormous amount of responsibility, especially during my involvement in the British Private Equity & Venture Capital Association (BVCA) Awards process. This was an amazing experience as I had the opportunity to meet the CEO's of the most dynamic and thriving businesses in the Midlands (including Poundland PLC and many more) where I supported the numerous Directors and Partners around the office to ultimately decide the winners of these prestigious awards.

In addition to the coaching/mentoring I have received throughout the year (from my entire team), I have also been to numerous training workshops around the UK including in High Wycombe and London. I have developed both my commercial awareness and technical skills which will contribute massively to my studies in my final year of BSc Economics.

The open plan office at Grant Thornton meant that although people worked very hard throughout, there was constant laughter and a great energy because of the great relationship amongst colleagues (not only in my team, but how we interacted with the external teams around us too).

Despite this being the first year that the Birmingham office has recruited an undergraduate placement student, I have still been able to get involved massively into all of the live project work. The team was always able to offer me new assignments following the weekly Monday morning meetings which helped me massively to effectively manage my workload.

Grant Thornton have invested in me massively, not only by due to the various training workshops I attended around the UK (which was a great supplement to my learning experience) but also through the numerous networking events I was able to attend throughout the year.

Grant Thornton are at the stage where there is a transition in the business model from the perception of them being an accounting firm, to now becoming a 'growth advisory' business. As the firm itself continues to grow, the prospects for employees to develop along with it is enormous.

Yes there was regular social events throughout the year. I was part of a Birmingham office 'social club' which held events throughout the year, whilst there also being regular department Advisory drinks too. There was also numerous black tie events such as the Dealmakers Awards which I got the opportunity to attend which was a great experience.

I lived in Birmingham which was extremely affordable if you organise/plan ahead as to what you will be eating for the week/events you will be attending.

Birmingham has great nightlife, not only in Broadstreet, Chinatown but also Brindleyplace and the Mailbox.

I was constantly involved in events throughout the year and following a personal relationship built with my colleagues there were numerous dinners. Grant Thornton also had an office sports day which was great for team building but was also a great way to socialist with the entire office.