Claire, an Agile PA in the National Business Support stream at BDO, has been with the firm for nearly 15 years. Starting her career as a secretary, Claire joined BDO influenced by her previous work with the firm and a friend's recommendation. Her role as an Agile PA allows her to work with various teams and streams, providing quality support in a fast-paced environment. Claire enjoys the challenge of broadening her network and gaining new experiences while maintaining her wellbeing through an active lifestyle.
Hi Claire, we heard you have 15 years with BDO; that's impressive! How did you start here?
So, I started with Broadstone, which was a pensions company within BDO, in the Manchester Office. When Broadstone moved to Leeds, I couldn't relocate, but since I knew everyone in the Manchester Office, they suggested I move over to BDO. So, I did!
And what about your role then, what does being an Agile PA entail?
Put simply, it means I can work for anyone within the business, including partners and directors, across different streams. It's a lot of dipping in and out. For example, I currently work for BSO, tax, and marketing. My hub is Manchester, but hybrid working means I have a good balance between the office and home.
That sounds quite varied. How do you manage working with different teams?
It can be challenging, especially when it's busy, but I enjoy it. It broadens my horizons and allows me to learn from different streams. The key is to stay organised and manage my time effectively.
What about your development? How has that evolved over time?
Because I have a broad skill set in administrative work, diary management, and time commitments, it’s opened various career paths for me and allowed me to move into my current role where I get to work with different people and teams, which keeps things interesting and helps me grow professionally.
So what about before joining BDO. What did you do then?
Before BDO, I worked as a secretary for building surveyors and managed business centres. My experience in support roles made the transition to BDO smooth. The role of a PA is quite general in most companies, so I didn't have any preconceptions about BDO or the accounting profession as a whole. I think that probably helped me settle in quite quickly.
You talked about working remotely, and that can probably be challenging. How do you maintain your wellbeing?
Staying active is crucial for me. I go to the gym, meet up with friends, and go for long walks. Since working from home, I've adapted my routine to include things like a treadmill at home so I’m not static all the time. It's important to stay active despite a busy work schedule.
That’s a good idea! So what excites you about working at BDO?
The people and the culture at BDO are fantastic. We look after our employees, and I've made lifelong friends here. The support and opportunities available make it a great place to work.
If you’re thinking about joining BDO, I'd say go for it! The culture, support, and opportunities at BDO are exceptional. It's a great place to grow both personally and professionally.
Claire Leonard's story at BDO is one of adaptability, growth, and maintaining a healthy work-life balance. Her role as an Agile PA allows her to work with various teams, providing quality support while broadening her network. Claire's commitment to staying active and her positive outlook on her career at BDO highlight the firm's supportive culture and the opportunities it offers for personal and professional growth.