Saleha Patel
Independent consultant for Financial Accounting and Advisory Services (FAAS)
Jose Gonzalez
Independent consultant for Financial Accounting and Advisory Services (FAAS)
Maria Silvia Rios Jaime
Independent consultant for Financial Accounting and Advisory Services (FAAS)
Philip Roberts
Independent consultant for Advisory
Contracting has facilitated my lifestyle to have quality time with loved ones whilst pursuing my interest in personal development.”
The level of collaboration and support from colleagues across the different departments is quite remarkable.”
Compared to other professionals I have dealt with in the past, there is a clear difference on how Grant Thornton manages their relationship.”
One of the most satisfying parts of contracting is seeing the improvement in the businesses we work with and the ongoing relationships that are built.”
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Why have you chosen the contracting lifestyle?
What do you enjoy about working with Grant Thornton and our client?
Contracting has facilitated my lifestyle to have quality time with loved ones whilst pursuing my interest in personal development. When I first started contracting in 2013 I worked on medium to long term contracts to build up my knowledge and skills in contracting. I am now financially in a position where I work 3 months a year with the rest of my time pursing other interests and spending time with the little ones. They grow up too fast!
I joined Financial Accounting and Advisory Services in March 2018 and over the years have gotten to know the team really well. The people behind FAAS have been amazing to work with. They always ensure that I only work on clients that suit my skill set and passion for statutory reporting. Through Grant Thornton I have worked for some large PLCs where the work involved requires technical assistance. All it takes is a quick scan through the technical discussion forum or an email to the Grant Thornton technical team and I am able to assist the client with the relevant technical guidance.
Saleha Patel
Why have you chosen the contracting lifestyle?
Working as a consultant was an active choice for me, as I enjoy the thrill of tackling challenging projects and delivering solutions to complex issues at pace. This has in turn allowed me to continue developing professionally and expand my professional network. Contracting and flexible working have given me a great opportunity to structure my day in a way that works best for me and our clients, enabling me to work when I am at peak performance during the day, and schedule downtime to unwind and spend time with family and friends.
The level of collaboration and support from colleagues across the different departments is quite remarkable, you truly feel part of a great professional community where we support each other and are always happy to help. I also really enjoy the opportunity to work on a wide variety of complex, interesting and high-impact projects, where I can use my skills and insight to deliver the solutions and long-lasting improvements that our clients need. Grant Thornton has offered me the opportunity to work on projects with clients that have undertaken major group restructuring with parental companies incorporated for the first time offshore, or that have moved some of their regional finance operations from overseas to the UK. In my most recent project I developed bespoke processes that the client could use to manage the statutory reporting for several foreign entities, more accurately, and efficiently.
What do you enjoy about working with Grant Thornton and our clients?
Jose Gonzalez
My first - very challenging and rewarding - project through Grant Thornton was with a global leader in safety and survival solutions. The client was going through a significant amount of change across the finance function with very tight deadlines. I joined as part of a team of five FAAS and Select members. We all had to be versatile to adapt quickly to each project stream when required, work long hours to achieve the milestones and deadlines and be ready to train the client's team in the new working practices to the expected standards.
What type of projects have you worked on through Grant Thornton?
It has opened a wider range of opportunities both geographically and professionally. Grant Thornton clients are very diverse and this has a significant positive impact in my career, as I get exposure to a variety of industries, working practices, cultures and economic backgrounds, to name but a few. I believe this provides with a great opportunity to develop my ability to adapt, learn and face new challenges, which are the strengths on which I build my professional career. I like to make the most of what each situation has to offer and I feel that with GT the possibilities and opportunities for growth are endless.
How has contracting with Grant Thornton helped to enhance your career?
Maria Silvia Rios Jaime
I have worked on several projects with Grant Thornton over an eight year period. I have worked in Sweden, the Netherlands and China as well as the UK. Typically the projects have been business turn around or business integration activities with the China activity relating to an acquisition due diligence. The sectors have also been quite wide ranging from automotive components, packaging and steel production.
What type of projects have you worked on through Grant Thornton?
Having worked in industry for many years the opportunity to move into consulting was attractive because it allowed me to offer my expertise across a broader scale and to achieve my objective of growing my own team of consultants and specialists. It gives a varied existence so nothing ever gets boring. One of the most satisfying parts of contracting is the pleasure of seeing the improvement in the businesses we work with and the ongoing relationships that are built from that. Ultimately you are your own boss and therefore you can dictate the hours you work. This doesn’t mean you are any less committed to an assignment and any time away from a project must suit the client as well as yourself of course but it can give more flexibility if that’s what you want.
Why have you chosen the contracting lifestyle?
Philip Roberts
Peter Kambouri
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Independent consultant for Financial Services
I am really lucky to work with great colleagues at Grant Thornton, and clients who are supportive and respect my opinion.”
I am really lucky to work with great colleagues at Grant Thornton, who are always there to support, advise and care for everyone’s wellbeing, and clients who are supportive and respect my opinion.
I am given the responsibility to lead and manage significant reviews and be the direct contact for key client stakeholders. Contracting with the firm has exposed me to a number of clients within insurance, pensions and banking and with different types of reviews I have worked closely with US colleagues to ensure a consistent and effective approach.
How has contracting with Grant Thornton helped to enhance your career?
Initially I started contracting as it was a great opportunity to get a feel for working within a professional services organisation, given my previous career was within insurance. Since gaining experience, I have continued contracting as it offers great flexibility with working hours, ensuring that I spend my working hours adding value to Grant Thornton and the clients whilst also being able to spend time with my family.
Why have you chosen the contracting lifestyle?
Peter Kambouri
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