Choosing the right place to build your career

At BDO, many of our senior leaders began their careers as graduates—proof that the training contract is not just a starting point but a launchpad for long-term growth. Brian Hughes, now a Partner in our Audit department, studied Commerce at UCD and joined BDO as a trainee in 1999. Qualifying as a Chartered Accountant, he went on to specialise in Financial Services and became Partner in 2015.

Looking back, Brian shares what he would tell his younger self before stepping through the doors at BDO, and the lessons he hopes today’s trainees will carry with them.

If you could write to yourself the week before you started at BDO, what would you say?

I would write to say that joining BDO will be the making of you, and not to be so nervous at the thought of starting in a professional job! The first year in particular helped me to develop the professional and social skills that stand with me to this day. You just know when an environment is right for you, and where you are comfortable being yourself. That has always been my experience in BDO.

What do you remember most about your training years?

Very much the camaraderie between those in the team that I was in. You grow close to those that you work with, when all are focused on a shared goal. I still keep in contact with many of the dozens of people I have worked with over the years, and many remain good friends.

Were there moments that shaped your decision to stay and grow here?

The opportunity to move into a specialised area (Financial Services) after my contract finished was significant for my career. The director that I was working with at the time was so collaborative and pushed us to grow the team together. He gave me the confidence to apply what I had learned to a new sector, and the growth of the portfolio of clients was significant from then on.

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How has your journey shifted from what you expected at the start?

When I started my contract, I certainly wouldn’t have dreamed that I’d make it to Partner one day. But the path was always clearly demonstrated. If you worked hard, applied yourself and showed yourself to be a team player, the rewards were there to be had.

What kinds of support made the biggest difference?

For me it was the support of the Firm in stressing the importance of obtaining my qualification, while giving us the tools to do that—supportive colleagues and excellent on-the-job training.

What does progression look like in reality—not just on paper?

For me progression was always knowing what the next step entailed. There was no mystery as to how to succeed and progress. Colleagues in BDO want you to succeed and will give you the foundation and support to make that happen.

What would you want today’s trainees to know about building a long-term career?

Starting a training contract is a small first step, the hard work starts then. Don’t feel like you need to know what the end of the journey will be at the start—opportunities and challenges will arise, you will adapt to them, and they will often lead you on the most interesting paths.

Brian Hughes - Partner, FS Audit, BDO Ireland