Thomas May and practising certificates
Thomas May of Jerroms successfully applied for a practising certificate retrospectively using experience from a previous practice. Find out about his journey.
In November 2022, I reached a career goal by becoming a partner at Jerroms GCN, an objective I had pursued by formally commencing the application process for my practicing certificate in 2021.
Throughout my career, I did not maintain a record of my experience and accomplishments, which eventually led me to undertake the challenging task of documenting my professional history. Thankfully, I kept notes I could refer to. Subsequently, I carefully enhanced these records with additional details to create a comprehensive application. However, this attempt posed a significant challenge.
Unfortunately, in my initial submission, I unintentionally left out details in one of my responses, which necessitated changing the dates I initially provided on my application form.
I was aware from early in my career that obtaining a Practicing Certificate (PC) was crucial for my journey to becoming a Partner. The importance of this became evident when I received guidance about it during my time at a previous practice. However, due to time constraints and a busy client schedule, I couldn't give it the priority it deserved.
"It's worth noting that without someone actively overseeing the PC application process, it tends to take a backseat to the immediate demands of client work. This challenge becomes even more apparent when your priority is serving clients."
Upon joining Jerroms GCN, the situation was different. Here, securing a PC was not only a requirement for becoming a director but also a steppingstone to Partnership. Fortunately, I had a support system that included individuals who kept me on track and ensured I completed my application on time. The tight deadlines reinforced the importance of maintaining a systematic record of my experiences throughout my career, which would have made the certification process smoother.
You can see samples of Thomas’ successful application and the accompanying confirmation from his principal in the useful links section below.
Drawing from these experiences, I now actively encourage my team members to diligently document their professional experiences. During performance evaluations, we establish clear objectives for them to attain their PC, especially in roles involving audit work.
By proactively recording their experiences, my goal is to empower them to seize career opportunities. I am committed to providing proactive support for their professional development, enabling them to maximise their potential in their careers.
My overarching aim is to ensure that they benefit from proactive support for their professional development, leveraging every chance to advance in their careers.