Why did you choose accounting and how did it come about?
At school, a teacher casually suggested that I should pursue accountancy, and so at 18 years old I turned up on Hazlewoods’ doorstep with my CV in hand. I started with the AAT qualification, whilst working in one of the accounts teams in the Staverton office, then progressed through my ACA and CTA qualifications, ultimately joining the Cheltenham tax team where I found my permanent home. 16 years after joining the firm my role is now purely advisory within the tax sphere, mainly focusing on transactions, structuring, employee share incentives (including Employee Ownership Trusts) and share valuations.
What do you enjoy most about your role?
I really enjoy problem solving. I am happiest when scribbling options out on a whiteboard in the office. I am a real tax geek and finding a solution to an “impossible” problem gives me an adrenaline rush. Who needs rollercoasters when you work in tax?
What has been your greatest achievement so far?
From an external perspective it would probably appear to be winning Taxation’s Rising Star, a prestigious national award, in 2016. From my own internal perspective it would be overcoming some significant personal challenges in the period after that success. As a result I am a keen advocate for mental health in the workplace (but I also do keep the 2016 trophy in pride of place on my bookshelf!).
What challenges do you help your clients with?
Employee Ownership Trusts (EOTs) are a big focus for me, as the employee ownership structure becomes more and more popular. I really like working on those transactions as it involves finding out about the inner workings of the company, and immersing myself in different industries such as domiciliary care, transport, design and technology and getting to grips with the challenges they face.
What challenges do you face in your current work?
I am looking to both develop the knowledge and experience within the existing tax team as well as grow our offering through recruitment so that we can help more clients with their exciting future development plans.
Tell us something that we may not know about you.
I can deadlift 100kg!
If you would like to get in touch with Megan, contact her at megan.lewis-bourke@hazlewoods.co.uk or on 01242 680000.