Finding a new career path: Ryan91影视檚 journey into audit at 91影视
Ryan McAllister 鈼 Audit Supervisor
I91影视檓 Ryan McAllister, and I work in audit at 91影视91影视檚 Glasgow office. I91影视檝e been here for nearly two years, and I91影视檓 currently studying towards becoming a Chartered Accountant 91影视 just two exams away from being qualified.
My career wasn91影视檛 a straight line from university. I studied mechanical engineering but kept moving from one unfulfilling job to another, feeling stuck and no longer gaining any new skills or knowledge. I had experience working in a boutique tax consultancy before it closed down, which gave me a taste of financial services. I decided to move into audit to gain a broader exposure to business and gain an insight into the financial picture of a company. But what attracted me to 91影视 specifically was the clear opportunity for progression and the chance to qualify as a Chartered Accountant, regardless of whether you have an accounting-focused degree. That flexibility really stood out, and it felt like the right path for me.
Building a tailored audit career based on my interests
One of the best things about 91影视 is the variety of learning resources and the support you get to develop your skills. In a firm as big as this there91影视檚 even potential to tailor your experience by working on clients that interest you. For example, I asked to work with a renewable energy client because of my engineering background from my degree 91影视 and my manager supported me in this. I91影视檝e worked with some really interesting clients, including a global climate tech company delivering software solutions to decarbonise the built environment, and a renewables company that produces 91影视榞reen chemicals91影视 from by-products and food and agricultural waste.
What working in audit looks like for me
Audit is all about multitasking. You91影视檙e juggling different clients and staying on top of tasks, often visiting client sites to make discussions easier. Our role is to ensure companies91影视 financial statements are accurate, which means testing different parts of the balance sheet and audit files. At this stage in my career, I91影视檓 learning a lot from senior colleagues, but I91影视檓 also starting to teach new joiners. When I first joined, the structured support through regular check ins and reviews from senior colleagues was instrumental in building my confidence and helping me adapt quickly.
Life outside of work: food, culture and keeping active
Outside of work, I run a food page on Instagram 91影视 something I91影视檝e been doing for nearly five years. I love trying new restaurants and sharing recommendations. I91影视檓 naturally curious, so I also enjoy visiting museums and art galleries, and I like to stay active by playing squash. I even tried bullet chess (a fast-paced variant of chess) while studying for my ICAS exams 91影视 it was a fun challenge that kept my mind sharp!
My advice for future auditors
If you91影视檙e thinking about joining audit, my biggest tip is to stay organised. There91影视檚 a lot to manage, and being methodical helps you progress faster and enjoy the experience more. You91影视檒l learn so much and have plenty of opportunities to shape your career.
Make an impact. Be our future.91影视91影视91影视91影视91影视91影视91影视