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Samuel Hilton

Manager, Grant Thornton

BSc (Hons) Accountancy

Samuel Hilton

My favourite thing about studying accountancy at Edge Hill was the lecturers. They were always willing to provide time to help with any applications and interviews and evidently invested in the futures of their students.

My favourite thing about studying accountancy at Edge Hill was the lecturers. They were always willing to provide time to help with any applications and interviews and evidently invested in the futures of their students. I specifically remember one of the lecturers sitting down with me when I found out I had an interview at for my current role at Grant Thornton and running through what Recovery & Reorganisation covered and the areas to look into to prepare for the interview. Aside from my analytical and accountancy skills, the main skills that I gained from my degree are communication, presentation, and IT skills.

My current role is Manager, in the Recovery & Reorganisation (R&R) team in the Channel Islands (Guernsey). I joined the R&R team straight from university as an Associate in Summer of 2018. Since then, I have received 4 promotions, became ACCA qualified, CFE qualified, and assist with the administration of ARIES (Association of Restructuring and Insolvency Experts).

The first, and most important way in which my degree prepared me for my graduate career, was the exemptions. Starting a graduate role with a number of exemptions from professional body exams meant I had less exams to do. Without these exemptions I would not have pushed through the ranks so quickly, nor would I have become qualified as a CFE.

The placement scheme also helped prepare me for my future. I couldn’t recommend it enough. Heading out on placement after your second year essentially prepared me for the world of work and the daily politics of office life.

I liked that R&R is a small niche of accountancy. To me, it is the most interesting area. Every day really is different. I work largely in contentious liquidations, administrations and forensic investigations (such as fraud, marital disputes, inheritance disputes).

I’m enjoying my work right now, the next step for me will be to continue progressing up the ladder. I’d love to be in a position where I can say I helped grow the business and brand, grow the team, and see other juniors come through the ranks to achieve their potential.

I am very keen to continue recruiting Edge Hill graduates (we have taken in 3 since I joined Grant Thornton in Guernsey). I know what they have studied, and I am confident in their abilities to settle into the accounting world offshore. If there are any business or accountancy students who are still considering graduate roles, we’re here to chat.

My first piece of advice would be to enjoy your time on the degree. It goes so fast and will be some of the best few years of your life. The lecturers, the course, the nights out – enjoy every moment (even if it is a 9 a.m. lecture).

Secondly – plan for after university, have a goal in sight and stick to it. Do you want to study ACCA after university? Do you have a specific job role in mind? What do you want to get out of the degree?

Finally – consider all opportunities after university. There are areas of accountancy which are vastly different and that you may not have thought about or know about.