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Sarah Lock was studying for her A levels and had secured a place at University College London to study psychology when she suddenly changed her mind. She wanted to experience what the working world was like. But not everyone thought it was a good idea. 

BDO UK

Sarah was doing her A-Levels and had secured a place at University College London to study psychology when she suddenly changed her mind. She wanted to experience what the professional world was like. But not everyone thought it was a good idea.

"It was a bit of a shock to everybody, especially my tutors. They kept on telling my mum that I was making a big mistake. But I knew what I wanted to do and I was adamant.

So my mum being my mum, put the Yellow Pages down in front of me and she said,

"Well, you're not sitting around here. If you genuinely mean that you want to go and experience what it's like to work in a professional environment, you best get on with it. Start at the A's and you haven't got a job by the time you get to Z's, then I'll help you out."

So that's how I got to work in accountancy."

Sarah got a job at what was then PKF. It was here she started working for a very formidable partner, Marilyn Martin (now retired) and formed the strong bond and friendship that really gave her direction.

Sarah got a job at what was then PKF. It was here she started working for a very formidable partner, Marilyn Martin (now retired) and formed the strong bond and friendship that really gave her direction.

"I didn’t apply for an open position at PKF, instead I wrote to Marilyn outlining my interest and why I wanted an opportunity to work at PKF. When I later asked Marilyn why she gave me a job, she said she admired my initiative and drive.”

From day one, Sarah was out in front of clients. She was always eager to take on new opportunities and worked hard. This mind-set helped her to gain a lot of early experience in her career across a number of different services.

"I was working in what was general practice at that particular point in time in PKF. So I was doing a mix of accounts preparation and audit work. I also had some great opportunities to spend time in personal tax, business recovery and forensic. All of this experience was at a junior level and it helped me shape a much more rounded view of business and providing solutions for clients as well as building relationships across a number of teams.”

Sarah was just about to go on maternity leave when the merger between PKF and BDO was announced. By this stage in her career, Marilyn was starting to talk about retirement and the possibility of Sarah taking up her partner role.

"I remember saying to her, "I'm feeling really insecure now because I'm not even in the business while all these conversations are going on." “But she kept me engaged and kept the conversations going, even when she didn't have a clear roadmap of what my progression might look like in the merged firm."

When Sarah came back, Marilyn made sure she was connected to the right people and continued to support her development. Marilyn later retired and Sarah stepped up. Now she's enjoying developing others.

"I'm passionate about replicating for people what I experienced through my career. I have truly felt that somebody has always been watching out for me and supporting me. I'm still friends with Marilyn to this day."

It's this sense of belonging and supportive culture that makes BDO so special.

"I am incredibly proud of our culture at BDO and how supportive we are to one another. This was so apparent during the pandemic where people have had many personal challenges including home schooling, supporting vulnerable loved ones and in maintaining their resilience. As a mum of two and partner are BDO I am always grateful for the personal interactions, flexibility and support that I share with my BDO colleagues.”

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