Hi, I'm Elliot.
Assistant Manager, Audit and PROUD Network volunteer, Reading
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My journey so far…
I was born in Crawley near London and grew up splitting my time between the city and the countryside. At school I was ambitious and social, but I always felt that I didn’t properly fit in. I remember people making homophobic comments, before knowing what being LGBTQ+ really meant. It wasn’t taught in schools, so it took me a long time to work out why I felt different.
When I began my A-Levels, I started struggling more with my work. I was tested for slow processing and allocated extra time in exams. I didn’t do as well in my A-Levels as I’d hoped, but I managed to get a university place through clearing. It was there that I applied for neurodiversity testing, and learned that I have dyspraxia and some traits of ADHD, including issues with working memory and task completion. I got the extra support I needed, including more times in exams.
I also started to feel more confident, exploring my identity and accepting who I am. I developed a diverse friendship group, and they helped to support me. After doing an accounting module at university I decided to apply to Deloitte. It seemed like a progressive and inclusive place to work, which appealed to me.
Work that matters
I work in Audit in the Reading office, focusing on large and complex organisations. We test and challenge the financial information provided by companies to improve its trustworthiness, including identifying potential accounts errors. We hold companies to account, fostering trust between businesses, markets and the general public. I like the fact that all my days are different and we’re making a difference.
As part of my graduate role, I’m studying to become a chartered accountant. I still struggle with exams, but I get lots of support from my team and I put in requests to the exam board for extra time. I also asked for some adjustments during my application process and was able to get more preparation time.
I’ve joined the PROUD Network and the Neurodiversity Network, and I enjoy getting involved in lots of different activities. It’s great to be able to connect with other people who’ve had some of the same struggles as me. I also volunteer at early careers events, to talk about my experiences growing up as an LGBTQ+ individual. The firm has really supported me to be myself in the workplace.
Highlights from my week
| Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| In the morning I meet with the team to discuss outstanding tasks. I spend the day reviewing points my manager has flagged on different audit report s so we can address them. | I attend an early careers event, aimed at university students, to help them learn more about life at Deloitte. In the evening, I meet friends for dinner. | I’m in the London office today, for a brainstorming session with the team. In the afternoon I meet with the financial controller and chief financial officer of a company we audit. | I work on some critical items, including working on an audit report. Later I meet with a friend from the PROUD network to discuss the logistics of an upcoming event. | I spend the day in college, preparing for my next set of accountancy exams. Today we learn how to calculate the different ways of valuing businesses, which I find really interesting . After work I go out with friends to relax. |
My weekend looks like
I’ve made new friends in Reading, and we often go out in the evenings. I like to go walking, and I also really enjoy music, dancing and going to concerts. I’m a fan of lots of different types of music, from salsa to electronic. I’m very much a say yes person, so I’m always up for spontaneous new adventures with my friends, whether that’s a weekend away to Switzerland or a night out.
3 things I've learned
Bring your true self to work
We’re all unique and have a skillset which will be valued by the firm. Being myself has helped me to stand out and contribute to the diverse culture we have here.
Advocate for yourself
If you’re interested in a certain project or engagement, there is no harm in asking to get involved! I’ve learned to say yes to as much as possible and be open to everything.
Keep variety
Whether it's volunteering, office roles, or seeing friends on a Monday instead of a Friday, I like to maintain variety in my week for a healthy work/life balance. Life is for living now, not just the weekends.
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Elliot's movie recommendation
The Half of It
The Half of It is a fun coming-of-age tale about a young Chinese American woman trying to figure out who she is. Loosely based on the 1897 play, Cyrano de Bergerac, this movie shows the complexities and struggles of growing up LGBTQ+ in a non-diverse community, as well as the importance of being yourself. Friendships that span different cultures, sexualities and genders are also a key theme to the movie, which I think is really important. It shows how we can all lift each other up, no matter what our backgrounds.
