🎙️ ABOUT THIS EPISODE

In this episode of The Out of Practice Podcast, host Darren Spain speaks with Tom Williams, Group Finance Director at Trinova Real Estate and former Grant Thornton ACA, about career pivots, long-term thinking, and the truth about leaving audit.

Tom shares why he turned down the traditional partner track and how he navigated a career across transaction services, real estate, and eventually the FD seat. For newly qualified ACAs asking “What’s next after audit?”, this episode delivers clarity, honesty, and direction.

🧠 WHAT YOU'LL LEARN

✅ Why audit experience is valuable - but not always enough ✅ What makes someone stand out post-ACA ✅ The real differences between audit and industry ✅ How to think long-term about your career (even early on) ✅ The commercial skills every ACA should start building now ✅ Tom’s take on job-hopping, recruiters, and learning through failure

🕒 TIMESTAMPS

00:00 – Intro: From audit to FD 02:00 – Why Tom chose the ACA and how it all started 05:45 – Why he left audit (and why he didn’t want to become a partner) 08:20 – Making the move into Transaction Services 12:30 – What audit doesn’t teach you about business 15:10 – Life in industry vs. practice 19:00 – How to build commercial awareness as a newly qualified 22:00 – Choosing long-term goals vs. reacting to short-term pressure 26:15 – Common mistakes newly qualifieds make when job hunting 30:20 – What makes a standout CV and candidate 34:00 – The importance of being intentional and learning fast 38:00 – Final advice for ACAs planning their first move out of practice

🔗 RESOURCES & LINKS

• Download the Free CV Template – www.onesevenpartners.co.uk/freecvtemplate • Follow Darren Spain on LinkedIn – @DarrenSpain

🎙️ ABOUT THIS EPISODE

In this episode of The Out of Practice Podcast, host Darren Spain sits down with Alicia Gibson, Director at Finance Earth, an impact investment advisory firm tackling environmental challenges through finance.

Alicia shares her inspiring career journey - from auditing dog toy companies at Deloitte to becoming a key voice in the sustainability and finance space. With four promotions in five years, she opens up about how she carved her own path, overcame imposter syndrome, and found purpose-driven work beyond the traditional ACA route.

Whether you’re newly qualified or still in audit wondering what’s next, this episode is packed with insight, honesty, and practical career advice.

🧠 WHAT YOU'LL LEARN

✅ Why audit is a great foundation - but not the destination

✅ How to explore non-traditional career paths as an ACA

✅ The mindset shift needed to succeed outside of audit

✅ Practical tips to stand out on your CV

✅ How to thrive in your first 90 days post-practice

✅ What it really takes to grow quickly in a new industry

✅ Why making impact doesn’t mean taking a step back

🕒 TIMESTAMPS

00:00 – Intro & Alicia’s ACA origin story

03:30 – What she took from audit that still serves her today

04:30 – Auditing Winter Wonderland & dog toys at Deloitte

07:30 – The worst audit memory (hello, Domino’s in Kent)

08:20 – Why audit can still be a great place to start

09:40 – Making the leap: how Alicia joined Finance Earth

11:20 – Finding her role through Escape the City

12:10 – Interest in sustainability and impact finance

13:00 – How she made her CV stand out

15:00 – Internal moves vs. jumping ship – what she learned

16:00 – The mindset shift moving from audit to consultancy

17:30 – Overcoming imposter syndrome in a new industry

20:00 – The audit skills that matter most post-practice

21:45 – How to succeed in your first 90 days out of audit

24:00 – Mentorship, giving back, and building community

30:40 – How she secured 4 promotions in 5 years

32:00 – Why she took a “demotion” to find the right long-term path

33:20 – Final words of advice for newly qualified accountants

🔗 RESOURCES & LINKS •

Download your free CV template: www.onesevenpartners.co.uk/freecvtemplate