Cathy McVeigh
What was your background before joining Geoghegans?
Prior to joining Geoghegans I was a student at Heriot Watt University in Edinburgh and studied Accountancy and Finance.
Why did you choose Geoghegans?
Geoghegans offered a wider range of experience than most other firms and, as I was unsure of whether it was accounts, audit or tax work that I wanted to pursue, it was an ideal firm for me. From the early stages of the recruitment process it was clear that Geoghegans would be a friendly and supportive firm whilst I was going through the examination process to become a chartered accountant, which was also an important factor for my decision.
What does your role involve?
My main role is in auditing, with my experience in audit clients ranging from professional practices and insurance services to companies operating in the manufacturing and construction industry. As well as obtaining auditing experience on such clients, my responsibilities also often involve preparing the taxation for these clients. I have also gained experience preparing management accounts, VAT returns and assisting in the preparation of business plans for some of our smaller clients.
What do you enjoy about working at Geoghegans?
Within Geoghegans there is continuous training and support on offer from colleagues, which I believe makes the job more pleasant. An example of this is the mentoring scheme that is in place, which enables students to speak to more senior staff members in confidence about any issues they may have. I also enjoy the social aspect of the job with various nights out and office outings.
What has been your biggest challenge to date?
To date I have found the professional examinations the most difficult challenge - you are given a lot to learn but it is achievable with hard work.
What are your goals for the next 12 months?
One of my main goals is to pass my final ICAS exam - further to this I hope to tackle more complex areas of auditing and gain more responsibility within my team.