News

Today marks International Women’s Day (IWD). IWD celebrates women’s achievements, raises awareness about discrimination and encourages us to take action to force gender parity. 

From research completed by charity Caba, who supports the ICAEW community, around 45% of chartered  accountants in the UK are women but for many, the accountancy and finance sector can still sometimes feel like a very male-dominated space.   

In celebration of International Women’s Day, we’re proud to share insights from two of our colleagues.

Hear from Rebecca Royal, Client Manager and member of our Senior Management Team, and Miesha Thompson, Apprentice and Accounts Assistant, as they reflect on their career journeys and share their experiences of being women in accountancy.

Hear from Rebecca Royal

“When I first joined Gascoynes almost 10 years ago, there was just one other woman in the accounts department alongside me. 
 
“At the time, I was asked whether I really wanted to join a firm that appeared so male-dominated. But I wasn’t put off. I believed that unless someone was willing to be part of change, opportunities for talented individuals could continue to be missed, simply because they might feel hesitant about taking that first step. 

“Gascoynes has always been supportive, ambitious and people-focused, and from day one I was excited to be part of it. Looking back now, particularly on International Women’s Day, I can truly reflect on how much we have grown. 
 
“Today, our firm looks very different. Women are represented across departments, across levels of seniority, and within leadership. We are managers, mentors, leaders and trainees. 
 
“Over the years, I’ve seen Gascoynes continue to strengthen its culture. Our conversations have evolved, opportunities have developed, and our role models are now more visible than ever. 
 
“One of the most rewarding parts of my role today is continuing that growth and welcoming new talent into the firm. Recently, we have welcomed several new female colleagues to the team. Speaking with Miesha about her early experience here has been a powerful reminder of why representation really matters. 
 
“You don’t have to take my word for it — the proof is in the incredible individuals working with us today.”

Hear from Miesha Thompson

“To me, having representative role models means seeing people with similar backgrounds, women who came through an apprenticeship and worked their way up, succeed and have their voices valued. It makes the career feel achievable and shows there is space for people like me to grow, develop and progress.

“I think having diverse voices at a firm like Gascoynes is incredibly important. Different perspectives help us work more efficiently. When people with different backgrounds and ways of thinking approach the same problem, they can spot risks others might miss and bring new ideas to the table. 

“Don’t be afraid to ask questions or speak up. Even if your idea isn’t taken forward, your perspective still adds value. Sharing your thoughts shows confidence, curiosity and willingness to contribute. Sometimes, a fresh pair of eyes can make the biggest difference.”

If you’d like to find out more about what it’s like working at Gascoynes, head over to our careers pages here: https://gascoynes.co.uk/working-at-gascoynes/