Khudeja Ahmad is a Senior Manager in our Tax team. She tells us about her career so far, juggling family and work, and the differences between working in industry versus practice.
Career history
• I started off at Grant Thornton in 2013 where I did my training and ACA qualification in the large and international tax team based in London.
• After a relocation, I joined the tax team at Dyson where I got some real hands-on experience of working in industry.
• I hadn’t had quite enough of industry, so I then went to Micro Focus Plc (now Open Text) where I spent a few years working on UK and EMEA compliance and various projects across the group.
Move to Hazlewoods
• I left my last role after having my now nearly 2-year-old daughter and wanted a change!
• Hazlewoods attracted me as this is a local firm with a great reputation and a huge level of organic growth.
• The tax team provided me with flexibility in the role as I navigate being a new mother. It is not always easy to find a part-time role in finance.
Transition from industry back into practice
• It is definitely a huge transition as you are now managing a portfolio of many different clients with different sized groups and complexities, as opposed to just focussing on the issues within your own group if working in industry.
• There is a lack of training opportunities offered in industry and any training or CPD you do is usually in your own time. Since joining Hazlewoods, I have already been to numerous training sessions, varying from 3 hours to whole day courses which has been incredibly motivating for me and has increased my knowledge.
• The support you get from the wider network of colleagues in practise is again something you do not have when working in industry.
• As a Senior Tax Manager in the team, I am now managing trainees, which is great for career progression and develops many leadership skills. Due to the structure in industry, you may not get to line manage until you are at Director level.
• The one negative I would highlight is having to do timesheets again!
If you’re interested in joining Hazlewoods, please see our current vacancies.