As well as putting in the hours and dedication on behalf of their company and clients, some accountancy staff also find the time to make a big difference to charities.
This year a team from the Glasgow office of Johnston Carmichael, Scotland’s largest firm of chartered accountants, will be pulling on their boots and taking part in the KiltWalk on behalf of Calum’s Cabin.
This is a cancer respite charity on the Isle of Bute set up in memory of 12-year-old Calum Speirs, who died in 2007.
And for one team member, the prospect of walking 26 miles is just not enough – she’s volunteered to take part in all four KiltWalks taking place around the country.
Jillian Stewart is a 25-year-old Business Solutions Assistant. This will be the third time she’s participated and, despite developing excruciating blisters during last year’s event, she has plans to complete each of the KiltWalks in Glasgow, Aberdeen and Dundee, finishing up with Edinburgh on 1 September 16.
“I’ve really enjoyed the previous KiltWalks, so this year I thought I’d set myself the challenge of doing all of them,” she says.
“Recently the team from the Glasgow office travelled to Bute to walk around the island and to see for ourselves the great work being done by Calum’s Cabin.
“Next we are heading off to Arran for another practice walk to help us get ready for the first event, which takes place in Glasgow on April 29.”
This year Sir Tom Hunter and The Hunter Foundation will be adding 40% to all funds raised by teams in the Kiltwalk, up to a limit of £5000 and that, says Jillian, is an added incentive to raise as much money as possible.
And this year she’s taking no chances with blisters. She’s bought herself a new pair of walking boots and high-quality hiking socks.
“I don’t want a repeat of last year when, for a week after the Kiltwalk, I had to wear flip-flops to work because wearing shoes was so painful.”
Such dedication to go above and beyond shown by Jillian and the team also reflects the work ethos accountants have in spades. Beyond the numeracy skills comes a genuine connection with the needs and desires of clients.
And this motivating force is what you’ll need, too, if you want to land one of the openings on s1jobs, available at all levels of the profession. Commitment, hard work and integrity are essential to win these roles . . . and a pair of walking boots and a kilt won’t go wrong either!
For all the latest Accountancy vacancies visit s1jobs.