Discussing his progression and journey into his role at SBP, this is what Ethan had to say:
What does a typical day in your role look like at SBP?
A typical day for me would be Accounts preparation, Corporation Tax Returns as well as Personal Tax. The good thing about this, is that SBP has so many varied clients, so you get a great mix work which keeps you on your toes and gets your brain thinking. I also enjoy the client relations side of my role getting to deal with clients and any issues they have and working together to find a resolution really does make a difference.
Can you tell us about your education and career history that led you to your current role?
I went to Fraserburgh Academy and left at 16 with 5 Highers and managed to get in to Robert Gordon University to study Accounting and Finance. I really loved my time at Uni and found accountancy interesting and it was something I enjoyed doing. Thankfully as part of my degree I was offered a year's placement at a firm which allowed me to put my learning into practice. I graduated with a 2:1 (Second class 1st Division) which I was over the moon with as School was something I found challenging growing up, however two years on from graduating I am nearly a qualified chartered accountant with two exams still to sit.
Once I graduated uni I started my first job in practice which helped me underpin my learning from university and continuing to learn in practice, conducting Audits and preparing VAT returns and Statutory accounts. Looking back to when I first started to now I have grown and matured so much in such a short space of time. The move to SBP allowed me to focus more on what I wanted out of a career in accounting, and I have be thoroughly enjoying It so far.
Any advice to someone just starting their career in this industry?
From my point of view the best advice I was given was, it is okay to make mistakes as long as you learn from them. Which I still stand behind fully, everyone makes mistakes daily some large some small but its how you react to it that makes you as a person.
Also take notes! In your first year of your career you will be inundated with information and trying to retain everything in your head won't do yourself or anyone favours, take notes of steps to complete tasks, locations of things and any administration heavy tasks. This will benefit you in the long run and allow you to perform better overall.
What is an interesting fact about yourself?
An interesting fact about me is that I am ambidextrous, I am left handed naturally to write but can fluently write right handed and I preform most tasks and sports interchanging between the both.