Laura-Kate Davies’ Post

‘How do I progress my career at this firm?’⁠ ⁠ It’s fair to say that I meet a large amount of accountants, lawyers and consultants during the course of my work.⁠ ⁠ However, only a tiny percentage of the people I meet, regardless of how ambitious they are, have ever asked this outright question to partners and HR folk in their firm⁠ ⁠ If you want to move ahead and eventually make it to partner at your firm, surely that’s the first question you need to be asking – and asking many times.⁠ ⁠ Many people just don’t do this, as they don’t want to be seen as pushy or arrogant.⁠ ⁠ 🧐 My challenge to you over the next work week:⁠ ⁠ Whether you are a junior, manager, senior associate or on the cusp of making partner, ask this question.⁠ ⁠ ‘how do I progress my career at this firm?’⁠ ⁠ You may be pleasantly surprised at the answer!⁠ ⁠ Follow me for tips on how to really progress your career in professional services!⁠ ⁠ #PersonalDevelopment #ProfessionalServices ⁠ #Lawyers #Accountants #Big4 #lawcareers #corporatelife #progressyourcareer #big4life #lawyerlife #consultants #howtomakepartner #progresstopartner

My heartfelt thanks to everyone who took out their precious time and responded to the post I shared regarding the CA Article positions at BDO in Risk & Advisory. I truly appreciate your interest and enthusiasm.   Unfortunately, due to the high volume of responses—over 1200 requests and 100+ messages—I could only refer 4-5 candidates based on a first-come, first-served basis. I want to note that I prioritised those candidates who met all the requirements stated in the post and those who followed up diligently.   For those who weren't selected this time, don't be discouraged. Keep pushing forward and exploring every opportunity. I applied to a bazillion of companies, and with persistence and effort, I landed my first job at BDO, and I believe they will be crucial in helping you secure your first position as well.   I wish everyone the best of luck in their job quest! - Suggestion: Instead of the unnecessary rapport, if you comply with the requirements, attach the CV with a brief about yourself to make the recruitment process quick and efficient.

I entered the professional world 17 years ago as a starry-eyed audit intern (still living with my parents). Here's my 15 rules of being a professional that I've learned since then: 1. Never shake a hand sitting down. 2. Never make the first offer in a negotiation. 3. Don’t take credit for work you didn’t do. 4. Take the blame and give credit when due. 5. Listen, nod, and make eye contact. 6. Ask more than you answer. 7. Fulfill your promises. 8. Show up on time. 9. Meet deadlines. 10. Put forth your best effort. 11. Make decisions with facts over feelings. 12. Own your mistakes. 13. Shut your door before using speaker phone. 14. Learn to recall emails sent reply all. 15. Talk to text in private. Let me know if I missed any. #Professionalism #CareerAdvice #BusinessEtiquette 🤝📊

"Thinking of starting your career in the world of audit? Olivia's journey began last September, and it's been an exciting ride filled with challenges and growth. 🌟🌱 Explore Olivia's audit experience so far, her key takeaways, and advice for others looking to make their start: https://bit.ly/48JrXCG #careerblog #pwccareers #auditcareers"

In light of the tragic loss of a 26-year-old CA employee at EY, due to reported work stress, a common sentiment I’ve come across is, “Why didn’t she just leave if it was so hard?” or “Why didn’t she find another job?” These statements, while perhaps well-meaning, reflect a fundamental misunderstanding of the realities many professionals face today. As someone currently navigating the job market, I can attest to the immense difficulty in securing interviews, let alone landing a new role. You can apply to countless positions, yet often receive no response – not even the basic courtesy of an email acknowledging your application. The process is not only time-consuming but also emotionally draining. Beyond this, for many employees, leaving a job isn't a simple choice. For those who are the primary or sole breadwinners for their families, quitting without a clear alternative can feel like an impossible option. The financial burden and responsibility they carry make such decisions far more complex than it may appear from an outsider’s perspective. It’s easy to make assumptions or offer advice from a position of comfort, but until you’ve stood in the shoes of someone facing these challenges, it’s important to withhold judgment. The conversation should not center on why someone didn’t leave a difficult situation, but rather on how we can create environments where individuals don’t feel trapped by their circumstances, and on promoting better support for mental and emotional well-being in the workplace. #SayNoToToxicity #MentalHealthMatters #WorkLifeBalance #EmployeeWellbeing #ToxicWorkCulture #RememberingAnna #WorkBoundaries #LinkedIn

As I reflect back over my career, I take pride in the fact that I didn’t get stuck in one place too long. In fact, by my count I have changed jobs 12 times over my 5 decades in the internal audit profession. Each change was unique, but based on my experience and observations, there are common signs it’s time to change the work scenery. Check out my new blog to learn more. https://lnkd.in/e__pxDHJ #internalaudit #careerplanning #careeradvice

This week, it will be 20 years since I started out on my career as I became JCR President at Grey College JCR. Yes, I’d pulled my fair share of pints and fried some chips before then, but this was when I started out my career in earnest as a full-time employee. 20 years! Milestones like this make you feel a bit old and tend to get you reflecting on what’s happened in that time. What have I achieved? What have I done with my life?! I think the most important question is What have I learned? In the spirit of self-reflection, here’s what I think are the top 5 things I’ve learned over those 20 years in work: 1)     Always help someone if you can This feels like the most important thing I’ve learned. Whether it’s taking the load off a colleague if you can or supporting someone through an interview process, people will remember. They’ll remember that you are someone that helped them, or their friend, and they may be willing to help you in return. Ultimately, everyone feels better supported and gets the help they need when they need it. Working in HE Finance, we are very lucky to have an organisation like British Universities Finance Directors Group which formalises an approach where colleagues across the sector can work together and help each other where appropriate. 2)     Never burn your bridges This has worked wonders for me! As opposed to not burning bridges, I’ve tried to maintain and build on those bridges. Most notably, I have recently returned to The University of Manchester to work having had 9 years away. In that time away I kept in touch with former colleagues and, when the opportunity arose, joined the University’s General Assembly for key external stakeholders. Likewise, I try to maintain and cultivate connections to all organisations I have worked in (I’m fortunate that these are the kinds of places it is fun to keep in touch with!). 3)     Communication is key to a successful career as an accountant There are loads and loads of competent qualified accountants. There is no shortage of them. What really separates those that I know who have gone on to have successful careers is the ability to communicate, and not just with other accountants! Work on your concise and to-the-point storytelling, it really makes the difference when trying to get across complex messages. 4)     Recognise & celebrate successes When you’re busy, it can be difficult to make time to recognise the successes of others. If you do though, they will remember that forever. Some chocolates, a bottle of wine or whatever, can make someone feel valued and that their achievements are important to you and the organisation, as well as to themselves. 5)     How important your line manager is I’ve been incredibly lucky throughout my career in having great people to learn from. Sometimes this is a different way of thinking, sometimes it is a way of treating people, sometimes a technique in Chairing a meeting. If you work with the right people, there will always be something!

Thinking of starting your career in the world of audit? Olivia's journey began last September, and it's been an exciting ride filled with challenges and growth. 🌟🌱 Explore Olivia's audit experience so far, her key takeaways, and advice for others looking to make their start: https://bit.ly/48JrXCG #careerblog #pwccareers #auditcareers

Should We Make Friends in the Corporate World? When I got my offer letter from Deloitte, I was so excited to join the corporate world. One of the things I looked forward to the most was making great friends. I imagined us laughing together, venting about work, and taking breaks to relax. But once I joined, reality was different. My excitement started to fade. Why? The Competition: In the corporate world, everyone is trying to stand out and prove themselves. It feels like a race where one person’s win could mean another’s loss. This makes it hard to form real friendships. Friendship vs. Work: Sometimes, making friends at work can get tricky. It might feel awkward to ask a friend to do their part on a project or to remind them of a missed deadline. Some might even take your friendship for granted, making work harder for you. What’s the solution? It’s important to draw a line between work and friendship. Don’t let work ruin your friendship, and don’t let friendship affect your work.

Thinking of starting your career in the world of audit? Olivia's journey began last September, and it's been an exciting ride filled with challenges and growth. 🌟🌱 Explore Olivia's audit experience so far, her key takeaways, and advice for others looking to make their start: https://bit.ly/48JrXCG #careerblog #pwccareers #auditcareers"