Graham's LinkedIn profile

I didn't do any accountancy whatsoever when I was at school – I did geography, geology and music. I took a year out before going to university where I studied geography, but university wasn't right for me, so I left and worked with my dad as a joiner for a year. After a short stint in hospitality, a job came up in an accountancy firm back home and it sounded like it could be a career. I trained and qualified at that practice. Not the conventional route at the time but it's worked out! And it's very similar to our School/College Leaver route on offer now at Azets. 

I've recently joined Azets as Accounts and Business Advisory Services Director taking care of a broad range of clients of different sizes and in different sectors. I enjoy working with clients on their long-term growth ambitions. I'm definitely a bigger picture person, so when I meet a client, it's about where they want to go and then working with them to make plans to help them get there. Strategizing for the future while streamlining processes and implementing technology are key in the client relationship.

The advent of AI is both scary and exciting at the same time. There's so much that you can do with it but there are challenges with what people might use it for, so you need controls and protocols in place. It's important not to fully rely on AI but take advantage of the capabilities that it can bring. 

The level of private equity and consolidation in the Scottish accountancy profession in recent times has been striking. Succession considerations, growth plans, access to investment and expertise are just some of the reasons the profession considers these routes and this is creating many opportunities for private equity. It will be interesting to see what the future brings and the practice landscape over the next few years.

Networking is important. I'm a director of the Chamber of Commerce in Dundee and Angus and it's an excellent network in the area. The Board is made up of people from a broad range of businesses, so you have all the different expertise in the same room and our work is about the community. For example, we recently responded to a government consultation on the future of Dundee airport to which I brought my specific skills as an accountant. It's the area's only airport and although flights only go to London, it's an important connection.

It may be a Scottish and accountancy cliché but in my spare time I enjoy golfing. I also spend a lot of time at skating rinks as my daughter does figure skating three times a week. I like it because it's a bit different – we've tried dancing and gymnastics, but figure skating is what she has landed on.