Our team talk about their career journeys and experiences at Blick Rothenberg
Our people – their stories
Our people in their own words
We are proud of the different routes into the business that our people take. Whether a university graduate, school leaver or career changer; we celebrate individuality and know that no two career journeys are the same.
We want to shine a spotlight on the talented smart people who come from different backgrounds who work at Blick Rothenberg and the different routes they have taken to join us.
Our aim is to provide authentic advice directly from our people to those looking to start their careers in accountancy, or even potentially change career direction.
Don’t take our word for it though, check out some of our inspirational people. They share, in their own words, their career journeys, why they chose to join Blick Rothenberg and their advice for others considering a role in accountancy.
Associate
Uvraj Singh
Tell us about your journey into accounting/tax
My journey into private client began in an unexpected place – with a background in Computer Science. While studying technology in college, I found myself increasingly drawn to the idea of finance and the unique challenges of private client tax. The variety in client situations and the opportunity to learn something new every day made it an exciting choice for me.
As an apprentice without prior knowledge or direct experience in accounting, diving into tax was initially challenging. However, I turned this challenge into a strength by approaching my work with a fresh perspective and a strong desire to learn.
What do you enjoy the most about your role?
The constant learning and variety. Every day presents new challenges and opportunities to deepen my understanding of the tax landscape, and I love that no two clients or situations are the same. This keeps the work dynamic and engaging, as I get to solve different puzzles and tailor my advice to fit each client’s unique circumstances.
Why did you choose to work for Blick Rothenberg?
I chose to work for Blick Rothenberg because of the diversity, flexibility, and supportive culture it offers. I appreciate being part of a team with varied perspectives, experiences and backgrounds which foster a more dynamic and innovative work environment. This diversity not only enriches the workplace, but also enhances the quality of service we provide to our clients.
What advice would you offer someone who is considering a role in accounting/tax?
My first piece of advice is to join with a fresh mind and be open to learning. You do not need to have all the answers or a background in tax/accounting. What is most important is your willingness to dive in, ask questions and take on new challenges with a positive attitude.
Another tip is to be patient with yourself. This field of accounting and tax can be complex. It’s normal to feel overwhelmed at times. Give yourself the time to understand the basics, and do not hesitate to seek help from colleagues or mentors.
Associate
Divine Unogwu
Tell us about your journey into accounting/tax
I graduated from the University of Leicester in 2022, and decided to take a short hiatus from the world of Accounting and Finance to recentre myself and assess what I was truly interested in. My motivation was to not only find a role that was closely related to my degree but would also be enjoyable. This led me to applying for the US/UK Tax Graduate Scheme at Blick Rothenberg. A year later, I’ve completed the first of my 3 US exams to obtain my US Tax (EA – Enrolled Agent) Qualification. I’m looking forward to obtaining my UK Tax (ATT – Association of Tax Technicians) Qualification in future.
What do you most enjoy about your role?
Preparing both US and UK tax returns brings a lot of variety to my role, and every day is a learning experience. A year in, I’m still learning new things about how the interactions of citizenship in one, or both, of the countries affect the way an individual is taxed in each. It has prompted me to take note of laws and concepts, particularly when new policies are introduced. I gain a sense of accomplishment when I’m able to examine how these laws may apply to a clients’ specific situation and consider how they are affected, as I demonstrate to myself my own growth and understanding.
Why did you choose to work for Blick Rothenberg?
When initially considering BR, an aspect I noticed was the ‘nurturing’ culture in order to drive success. I knew I was interested in the position but was somewhat apprehensive, having never worked in tax before. This culture helped to put my mind at ease, as I was assured that there would be a focus on my personal progression in a very supportive environment. The BRighter Working (flexible working) framework also appealed to me. It was important to me to find a role that would allow me to strike a balance between work and daily life.
What advice would you offer someone who is considering a role in accounting/tax?
An openness and willingness to learn. Tax laws and policies are constantly evolving and being able to stay informed and contextualise the work we perform makes it much easier to understand both our clients and the changes themselves.
Trainee Chartered Accountant
Jacob Gosden
Tell us about your journey into accounting/tax
I left university after two years of my degree in economics with accountancy. After receiving an offer, I joined Blick Rothenberg as an apprentice to study towards the Association of Accounting Technicians professional qualification. This gave me the opportunity to take a more direct and practical path into accountancy, which I felt played more into my strengths.
What do you enjoy the most about your role?
Collaboration. My role involves a considerable amount of time working in small to medium sized teams, which vary between assignments. Being able to work with an array of people allows me to build diverse relationships and learn from others’ experiences to develop myself.
Why did you choose to work for Blick Rothenberg?
I chose to apply to Blick Rothenberg because of its reputation and the fact that the advertised job role would allow me to gain the relevant experience to develop a wide range of skills and advance to the next stage of my professional qualifications. I chose to work for Blick Rothenberg because of the positive interactions with members of BR staff during my assessment day, especially the Partner who interviewed me.
What advice would you offer someone who is considering a role in accounting/tax?
My advice would be that simplified accountancy is problem solving and communicating with people. Whilst numbers and financial information are important to accountancy, working with others to find creative and effective solutions that arise from the financial information is what the role is about.
Associate
Oma Agbirigba
Tell us about your journey into tax
Having graduated during the Covid pandemic, seeking roles within the accountancy industry was challenging. I worked in several industries where I felt a disconnect and continued actively seeking a role in which I could pursue a long-term career. As an economics graduate, a career in finance seemed like an obvious route to take, however I was adamant to not settle for a boring and disengaging role. I decided to apply for the US/UK Tax Graduate Scheme at Blick Rothenberg. US/UK Private Client Tax is a niche service, and still there are specialised teams within the department. After researching the function, it felt like the perfect role for me.
What do you most enjoy about your role?
I most enjoy the day-to-day variety of tasks. Each client has different streams of income, therefore each tax return will by default be different. These nuances mean that no task is ever the same.
Why did you choose to work for Blick Rothenberg?
The first thing that drew me to Blick Rothenberg was the lively social media presence. It was imperative that I worked in a firm that was modern, aligned with my values and would invest in their people. From my research, I was able to gauge that the firm had a vibrant and diverse culture.
Blick Rothenberg prioritises a strong sense of employee satisfaction and outlines clear career progression pathways. I wanted to work in a firm that was established enough to provide me with challenging work but could also enable me to work closely with partners, directors and other senior people to maximise learning opportunities and BR offers that.
What advice would you offer someone who is considering a role in accounting/tax?
First and foremost, always keep wellbeing as your top priority. Working in a deadline driven industry means that there will no doubt be intense periods of work. However, to deliver our best work, we must look after ourselves. Work hard but never be afraid to ask for help!
Be present and stay connected with people. Network and be intentional about developing relationships with colleagues. Good relationships will no doubt be invaluable to your career in the long run.
Senior
James Morris
Tell us about your journey into accounting/tax
I was always a numbers person at school which led me to choose to study accounting as an A-Level. I enjoyed this and I began looking into ways I could take accounting forward after sixth form and decided that an apprenticeship was the best option for me. I never liked the idea of spending another 3-4 years studying at university and the option to not only build knowledge on the job, begin to pursue tax/accounting qualifications and to get paid while doing it sounded like a brilliant option for me.
What do you most enjoy about your role?
I’m given the freedom to complete my work the way I feel works best for me and am trusted that the work will be completed to a high standard and in a timely manner. This was one of the biggest differences for me compared to school where you are told how and when everything needs to be done. I also enjoy the work life balance.
Why did you choose to work for Blick Rothenberg?
After my initial interview with Blick Rothenberg, I knew it was somewhere I wanted to work in the future. Compared to other interviews I had attended, Blick Rothenberg had a very welcoming feeling, and it felt like the sort of place I could see myself building a career. After getting the role I knew I had made the right choice on my first day. Everyone was very friendly and welcoming. In my time at Blick Rothenberg, I have learnt that as long as you are willing to work hard, you will be able to progress regardless of your background.
What advice would you offer someone who is considering a role in accounting/tax?
Don’t be afraid to ask questions. You are there to learn and your colleagues will have no problem in answering any questions, no matter how silly you think they may be. It’s much better to take the time to sit with an expert and learn as opposed to trying something you are unsure about on your own because you were too afraid to ask for help.
Senior Management Accountant
Jade Freeman
Tell us about your journey into accounting/tax
I really had my heart set on joining an apprenticeship scheme when I left school instead of going to university. I felt that working alongside my studies would help support my learning and I really have found that to be true. There’s been so many occasions where the work I do on a day-to-day basis has helped my studies make sense and vice versa.
What do you enjoy the most about your role?
I love my team! We really support each other, especially during our busier periods or when the apprentices have study leave. In our quieter periods we make the effort to go out and socialise together, it’s a really nice balance. It sounds shocking, but accountants aren’t as boring as everyone makes them out to be!
Our clients are great too. I have formed some great client relationships and feel I’ve grown with their businesses over the years.
Why did you choose to work for Blick Rothenberg?
I had a couple of other apprenticeship offers and it was really the team that I was going to be working with that made Blick Rothenberg stand out for me. As a school leaver, it was my first “proper” job and I wanted to work somewhere where I felt I would feel supported, make great friends and give me the tools to grow my career.
What advice would you offer to someone who is considering a role in accounting?
I really would recommend researching the different areas of accountancy and picking a role that you are drawn to the most. That doesn’t mean you can’t choose to step into other areas later in your career when you have a bit more experience.
I might be biased but joining an accountancy practice (over going into industry), is a great way to see how lots of different businesses and areas of accountancy function. It gives you great exposure so early in your career.
Senior Manager
Kirsty Mackney
Tell us about your journey into accounting/tax
When I was in year 11 at school, I had the chance to complete work experience at a local accountancy firm and loved every minute of it. The firm I completed my work experience with invited me back to work the Summer after my GCSE’s and the rest is history.
What do you enjoy the most about your role?
I love the team that I work with and the value we offer our clients. I work within our outsourcing team; we look after small companies accounts internally. We work with clients that may not have the time to deal with their accounts alongside running a business. My team offers real-time assistance and expertise which gives our clients more time to think about other aspects of their business.
Why did you choose to work for Blick Rothenberg?
They chose me. After my English, psychology and accountancy A Levels, I started working at a firm called Shelley Stock Hutter. My Blick Rothenberg journey started when they acquired Shelley Stock Hutter in 2017. My role has evolved over the last 7 years to adapt to the bigger firm, and I’ve enjoyed the challenge. Our team has grown at the same time my family has! Due to BRighter working (flexible working) and all the other benefits that we have, I’m able to work in a way that suits me, my clients, my team and my family best.
What advice would you offer someone who is considering a role in accounting/tax?
Go for it and know your options! There are so many choices and so if you don’t like a certain area, there may be another that you are good at. I would also say, be prepared to work hard to achieve a professional accountancy qualification. It’s all worthwhile and the sense of accomplishment at the end is worth every hour of studying.
Assistant Manager
Jacob Baxter
Tell us about your journey into accounting/tax
I completed an undergraduate degree in economics before studying international finance at postgraduate level. It was during my Master’s degree when I was first introduced to accounting. I developed a passion for accounting when studying introductory accounting modules and wanted to continue to expand my knowledge further.
What do you enjoy the most about your role?
I am able to work with a variety of clients in different sectors that are based all over the world. This gives me the opportunity to interact with different people and learn how various businesses work to meet their stakeholders needs.
Why did you choose to work for Blick Rothenberg?
The opportunities inside the workplace continue to grow both professionally and personally. This is through new client acquisitions and opportunities to lead your own work, but also through the vast social calendar of activities. We all enjoy participating in different social activities and I particularly enjoy being part of the Blick Rothenberg cricket team.
What advice would you offer someone who is considering a role in accounting/tax?
If you enjoy problem solving and working in a fast-paced dynamic environment, this role is for you. A role in accounting is broad and, for example, can consist of payroll, corporate tax, audit and private client work. You are not limited to one area of the profession and can choose an area which is the most appealing to you.
Senior Manager
Alejandro Abad Algarra
Tell us about your journey into accounting/tax
I studied law and business in Spain. Towards the end of my degree, I realised tax was one of the very few areas that really combines both degrees, so I decided to give a career in taxa go. Nine years later I can certainly say I made the right decision!
What do you enjoy the most about your role?
I am a Transfer Pricing specialist. Most of my role consists of understanding what businesses do and how that compares to the legal agreements they have in place to price intercompany transactions for tax purposes. This is really exciting as every business is different and I get to learn a lot.
Why did you choose to work for Blick Rothenberg?
I spent the first 3.5 years of my career working as a tax lawyer for a law firm in Spain. However, I had wanted to live in London since I was a teen, so when I turned twenty-six, I decided it was about time for me to pursue my dream. Blick Rothenberg seemed the perfect fit for someone like me, with no previous UK tax experience and looking to retrain as a UK tax advisor. Blick Rothenberg is an international firm, big enough so I could be exposed to a broad range of clients, but still approachable and supporting of people wanting a career change. I wasn’t wrong – I am still here 6 years later!
What advice would you offer someone who is considering a role in accounting/tax?
Professional exams can be challenging and at times make you wonder why you chose to become an accountant but try to make the most of them. See them as a great opportunity to learn the technical skills that will help you feel confident at work and progress your career as an accountant.
More stories from our team
Aisha Weise-Forbes from our recruitment team is on a mission to talk to people around our business to dispel misconceptions and address common assumptions about pursuing a career in Accountancy, Professional Services, or specifically at Blick Rothenberg.
Early careers at Blick Rothenberg
Your future starts here
We know what talent looks like and we set the bar high – our clients demand it, and we are proud to provide outstanding levels of service to meet their needs.
If you are a school or college leaver, career changer, university graduate or are in your final year of university, then our roles may be right for you.
When you join Blick Rothenberg, you sign up to much more than a qualification
You join the Blick Rothenberg culture and way of life. You will enjoy early responsibility and will find our business to be friendly and our working environment to be both lively and stimulating.
As a medium-sized tax, accounting, and business advisory firm, we are small enough that no one need ever feel that they are simply a cog in a machine, yet large enough to offer challenging and satisfying work.
You will spend time working among a variety of teams as part of your training and will be supported with significant learning and development opportunities.
Our people are key to our success
We know what talent looks like and we set the bar high – our clients demand it and we are proud to deliver outstanding levels of service to meet their needs.
That is why we invest heavily in nurturing our people so that you can enjoy a successful career with us, which in turn enables us to achieve the best possible results for our clients.