Our people are our biggest asset if we are to provide the high quality, value added service that our clients expect and we appreciate their investment in EQ.
Our organisational culture and working practices facilitate personal growth and knowledge sharing in an inspiring, encouraging, friendly and supportive environment.
We are an ICAS Authorised Training Office (ATO) and an ACCA Approved Employer (platinum level). In recent years, we’ve been shortlisted for ‘Tremendous Learning & Development’ and ‘Exceptional Employee Engagement’ at the CHeRries Awards and one of our CA’s was ICAS’ ‘One Young CA’ in 2018/19.
I was successful with my application to join EQ and was offered a place within their Forfar office. Almost straight away I was provided with a variety of jobs that allowed me to use my university knowledge but was tailored, providing a value added service to the Firm’s clients.
Not only was I given support with my work in the office, but people were also willing to give up their free time to help me with my ICAS studies if there were any areas I needed someone to explain. Having other people who had already been through the process was a great help and I never felt I was struggling on my own.
EQ is a medium sized Firm which does not departmentalise which means I am able to see a job through from start to finish – I find that so much more rewarding. EQ also has a good reputation and prides itself with good ‘on the job’ training.
EQ are focused on providing the best service possible to their clients. They achieve this by investing in the right people to deliver that service and training them to a high standard.
As I was going in at a senior level, I felt I would be expected to just “get on with the job” but all my colleagues helped me to get to grips with the systems very quickly. The training EQ provide is amazing and ongoing.
Completing a summer placement with EQ helped me to choose my career path, as before I wasn’t even sure I wanted to work in an office. I was fortunate enough to be offered a job at the end of the internship which really helped me when going back to do my fourth year, as I did not have the added stress of trying to find a job. You never know what opportunities an internship could open up for you.
From about second year at school accountancy has always been what I wanted to do.
I really enjoyed the number of training opportunities open to you at EQ. Whilst continually learning with on the job training, you were also encouraged to participate in various other internal training programmes. At EQ, my colleagues were always happy to answer any question that arose.
I love the level of responsibility you are given from day one. Over the years my responsibilities have increased – I now manage my own client portfolio and have progressed from a trainee to Manager.
Don’t be put off by having no experience in payroll or bookkeeping. The majority of my colleagues started working here with no experience and have progressed well with learning on the job.
There’s a clear career progression pathway for anyone who wants to further their career, the framework is set out right from the start so you know what you need to achieve to move up the ladder.
I would urge any student who is considering whether a summer placement is worthwhile to apply as I have found it to be the most rewarding and helpful experience so far, whilst at university.
I chose to join EQ instead of going to college or university as I wanted to earn while learning. The fact that it took roughly the same time to qualify as an accountant compared to college/uni was always a plus for me.
The partners have a vested interest in the success of our careers with EQ and as a result have introduced me to contacts and invited me along to meetings that they feel I will benefit from.
I had no idea what I wanted to do when I left school; I sort of stumbled into accountancy.
I also enjoyed the variety of work you get to do at EQ. At the time I didn’t appreciate the benefit of this and was just enjoying the variation day to day. However, on my return to fourth year (and in my professional exams after uni) I realised how much of an advantage I had in comparison to other students.