Fri 20 Apr 2018
Celebrating #WomenAtMazars – Harriet Walker
Today in Celebrating #WomenAtMazars, we’re sitting down with Harriet Walker to find out more about her life and career at Mazars. Harriet is a Corporate Assistant in the Professional Practices team in Edinburgh.
Don’t forget to catch up with the previous interviews in this series with:
We’d really like to hear from more #WomenAtMazars, and so if you are interested in being featured in this series please get in touch with Angela Cooke, Diversity & Inclusion Senior Manager.
I originally joined Mazars on a Year in Industry from university, and was fortunate enough to be offered a graduate job. When I returned I got involved in local Corporate Social Responsibility projects, progressing to become the CSR Representative for Edinburgh. I’m now an active member of the Mazars in Society Committee, with particular responsibility for National CSR projects. It’s a challenge juggling my client portfolio with CSR responsibilities, but one that I definitely thrive on.
People motivate me! Numbers and spreadsheets are part of the job, but it’s the actual client contact or working with members of my team that motivates me to put in that extra bit of effort.
I’ve been fortunate to work in teams where my opinions and passions have been taken into account. I’ve worked particularly closely with Laura Clarkson (OMP for Scotland), as she is both the partner for my team, sits opposite me, and is heavily involved with CSR. Laura ensures her team have opportunities to progress in areas over and above our daily roles, and this really spurs us on to challenge ourselves. Thanks to Laura I’ve had opportunities to join national committees, travel, and develop my skills in public speaking.
I’m currently still doing my professional accounting qualification, so I imagine when I finish that later this year, it will be a moment to remember!
Organised, sociable, and persuasive… especially when it comes to event attendance.
Be a team player… there are so many opportunities within Mazars to interact with your colleagues, including those from other departments. Embrace these chances, and you’ll find that your colleagues will be able to both support you and open doors as your career progresses.
Have a meaningful conversation with everyone that you meet – they might be the same level as you, or more/less senior, but you never know when you will meet again or how you can help each other. In terms of doing things differently – focus on your exams and treat them with respect…they’re difficult for a reason.
Thanks to Harriet for sharing her journey with us.
Make sure that you come back to Mazars UK blog each week to hear from more inspirational #WomenAtMazars.
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