Power skills | Mentorship
The power of mentorship
Finding the right person to advise and support you can transform your accounting career, so how do you get started?
Words Sophie Cross
Becky Glover FMAAT
When Becky Glover FMAAT started her finance career, she never formally asked anyone to be her mentor. Yet looking back, she realises she has been surrounded by mentors throughout her journey – from her accountant father who first introduced her to the profession, to the chief revenue officer who now helps her navigate board-level decisions.
“Don’t be afraid to reach out and ask for someone to be your mentor because they will gain from it, too,” says Glover, now finance director at insurance company Yutree. “You don’t even have to have this fixed agreement that, ‘Okay, now you’re my mentor’. It’s really someone you need in that period of your life to help you achieve the next thing.”
This informal approach to mentorship is increasingly common in today’s accounting profession, where traditional hierarchies are breaking down and learning flows in multiple directions.
Beyond formal framework
Many of today’s mentoring relationships develop organically through genuine connections and mutual benefit.
Will Blower MAAT, founder of Realise Finance, experienced this first-hand during his early career at a Peterborough-based accounting firm. “I had some really great managers around me who would always push me,” he recalls. “Their ethos was to throw you straight in at the deep end. I really loved that because I didn’t want to just be shown one part of something; I wanted to see how the whole process works.”
This was invaluable to Blower when he established his own practice at the age of just 22. “I wouldn’t have been able to do what I’m doing now if I had been doing just one small part,” he says. “The practical hands-on experience at such a young age really helps.”
Will Blower MAAT and Tori Chapman MAAT
Learning goes both ways
One of the most compelling aspects of modern mentorship is its reciprocal nature.
Heather Palmer FMAAT, who runs Ascot Bookkeeping & Accounting, discovered this when she transitioned into accounting in her mid-40s, having previously run several successful businesses.
“It’s a form of leadership growth in me,” says Palmer, who regularly helps people considering careers in finance. “It has given me more confidence, even when I’m speaking and explaining things to my own team.”
For mentors, the relationship can provide fresh perspectives and keep them connected to industry changes. As Glover explains: “They might be coming to me with questions but I can also say to them, ‘Listen, you’re a Gen Z and I’m a millennial. How are you viewing that?’ Then I can take that insight to the next board table I’m sitting at.”
Heather Palmer FMAAT
Real-work impact
Tori Chapman MAAT, who completed her AAT apprenticeship under the guidance of Blower, highlights the comprehensive development she experienced.
“The main thing between us is communication,” she explains. “He knows how to explain things in a way that I can understand better. If I’m ever stuck with anything, the help and guidance from him are amazing.”
At Realise Finance, Chapman gained exposure to every aspect of the business from client meetings to business development – opportunities that would be rare at larger firms. “I’ve been able to experience loads of different branches of the business, whereas some people would just be pushed into one area,” she adds.
Building your network
Effective mentorship often involves connecting mentees with broader professional networks. Glover says: “It’s not just about knowledge transfer between two people. It’s about saying, ‘That’s a great idea and I know this person who can help you. Let me make an introduction’.”
This network-building approach enables mentees to access opportunities and perspectives they might not have encountered otherwise. As Palmer discovered, sharing knowledge and connections often comes back around. “Some of the accountants that I’ve mentored years ago still keep in touch,” she says.
How to find a mentor
For students wondering how to find a mentor, the key is to stop thinking about it in formal terms. Instead, focus on building genuine professional relationships.
“Maybe you meet someone at a networking event that you think is really interesting and you connect on LinkedIn afterwards,” suggests Glover. “You go for a coffee – that’s the start of a mentoring relationship.”
Blower advises taking initiative within your current workplace. “Just be asking if there’s anything you can do that’s more than just your normal accountancy role,” he says. “‘Is there anything I can do for you that would help?’”
The variety of tasks, from client visits to social media work, provides broader learning opportunities. “I love all those little tasks because I had managers who pushed me to do them,” Blower reflects.
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Mentoring mindset
Today, the accounting industry offers plenty of opportunities for mentorship. The best mentoring relationships are characterised by:
- mutual benefit: both parties gain value from the relationship
- organic development: connections grow naturally rather than through formal programmes
- flexible duration: relationships can last from a few months to several years, depending on individual needs
- diverse perspectives: mentors don’t always need to be from accounting backgrounds
- network expansion: introductions and connections often prove as valuable as direct advice
Making the most of a connection
Successful mentorship requires proactivity from mentees. Palmer’s advice is simple. “Never be afraid to ask a question, because no question is silly,” she says. “If anyone at any stage of AAT came to me on LinkedIn asking any question about accounting, I’d love to help them.”
Students should also recognise that mentorship needs evolve. As careers progress, different mentors may become relevant for different challenges or opportunities. Glover has had various mentors for different stages of her career, lasting different lengths of time. “I’ll continue to have different mentors throughout my career depending on where it takes me,” she notes.
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Your mentorship journey can start now
Whether you are starting your AAT studies or progressing through your career, mentorship opportunities surround you. The key is recognising that these relationships often begin with a simple conversation, a shared coffee or a willingness to help others succeed.
As Heather Palmer FMAAT puts it: “The skills progression is a lot faster when someone has shown you something. You learn quicker than having your head in a book, trying to get your head around it.”
In an industry that is rapidly evolving, with new technologies and changing client expectations, having experienced guides can make the difference between struggling alone and thriving with support. Your mentors are out there to help you reach your potential. You just need to start the conversations.
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Becky Glover FMAAT
The power of mentorship
Finding the right person to advise and support you can transform your accounting career, so how do you get started?
Words Sophie Cross