Emily Stephenson
Current Employer/Organisation Name
PKF Francis Clark
What have you been doing since leaving Exeter, and what are you doing now?
I joined PKF Francis Clark as an assistant in Audit on a graduate apprenticeship, qualified with my ACA in 2021 and am now and audit manager at the firm.
Why did you choose this career? And what do you enjoy most about your work?
I didn’t explicitly choose this career, I wanted to stay in Exeter and applied for all available graduate jobs and schemes and they were the first ones to offer me a job. However, looking back, I would have made the decision to join the firm again. I enjoy the variety within audit as while I work for the firm, I have over 20 different clients including businesses and charities that fill my time.
Please tell us if you were a member of any societies, groups or sports clubs?
I was an editor for Razz Magazine in 2018.
What did you enjoy most about your programme and what was the biggest highlight?
I enjoyed the free thinking the lecturers encouraged. My highlight was watching one of the lecturers listening to a song through earphones and dancing at the front of the hall. I cannot remember what the lesson was about, but that image has stuck in my head.
What did you most enjoy about studying here?
The proximity to the beach and summer evenings with barbecues at Exmouth.
Why did you choose to study at Exeter?
They had the most progressive English course when I was researching where to go and were very welcoming on my visit day.
What skills and experiences have been most useful for your career?
Thinking out the box and coming up with interesting and varied approaches to my work. The written and verbal skills have also been very helpful as despite what some may think, accountancy is 80% people facing.
What advice would you give to a current student who wishes to pursue your career?
It is hard work, but very rewarding and involves a lot more than you think.
What are your plans for the future?
To continue progressing with the firm to senior manager.
