Isabel Stanley
Audit Manager | Former ACA Trainee (2017 - 2020)
ECONOMICS | UNIVERSITY OF NOTTINGHAM
Internship
Job Offer
Start date
ACA Qualified
My Story
What first inspired you to pursue a career in accountancy?
When I left university, I did not expect to become an accountant. I studied Economics, but after graduating I felt unsure about my direction as there were so many career options. I was drawn towards accountancy by the prospect of gaining a strong qualification and discovering the ACA while job‑hunting gave me the sense of direction I was looking for. I knew the qualification would stand me in good stead, no matter what I chose to do in the future.
What attracted you to SRLV?
I remember my graduate assessment day clearly. The team were friendly and genuinely interested in who we were as individuals. It was refreshing compared to other recruitment processes I’d experienced. SRLV felt different; it was far more personable and interactive, which really appealed to me.
Tell us more about the graduate assessment day.
I met with trainees and members of the wider team, rather than managers. It was informal, supportive and social. The day had a strong emphasis on getting to know us as people. It left me with a really good impression of the firm and the sense that its people were what made it special.
When did you start your training at SRLV and how long did your qualification take?
I graduated in 2016, took a year out, and joined SRLV in August 2017. It took me around three and a half years to qualify, finishing in late 2020.
Partners, managers and graduates all work alongside each other, and everyone is approachable. People go for lunch together, for drinks after work, and genuinely get on. That sense of community is the best thing about working at SRLV.
Isabel Stanley | Audit Manager | Former ACA Trainee (2017 - 2020)
MY TRAINING
What was your experience of being a graduate at SRLV?
It was a very supportive environment. The trainee intake was small, which made it easier to bond and progress together. Managers and senior members of the team were genuinely invested in us doing well. We had time set aside for studying and could revise in the office. It was a very nurturing environment.
What was your early exposure to client work like?
I was involved with interesting client work early on, including a famous family business in my first year, which was very exciting for me as a 21-year-old. I also spent time at client sites, including a memorable week in Scarborough with a theatre group. These experiences made the job varied, enjoyable and full of hands-on learning.
As I progressed, I began leading my own audits. Working directly with partners for the first time was daunting, but it accelerated my confidence and skills. As a trainee, you soon realise that you have the foundations in terms of knowledge; it’s just about letting your confidence catch up.
What was your training experience like compared with other firms?
From what I’ve seen and heard from those who join SRLV from larger firms, trainees are given more responsibility earlier on. You also work across a broader range of clients, rather than spending months on one large engagement. This gives trainees exposure to a variety of clients and keeps the work interesting. Work‑life balance is better too. If someone is struggling, managers will always try to help, which isn’t necessarily the case elsewhere.
What has your career progression been like?
Since joining in 2017, my progression has been steady and followed SRLV’s graduate career path. Starting as a junior, I had a series of promotions – from semi‑senior to senior – and was made assistant manager a year after qualifying, before becoming a manager in 2024.
My life at SRLV now
What has the transition from trainee to manager been like?
As a graduate, my own manager, Andrew Wheeler, was incredibly knowledgeable and personable. While I can’t replicate him, I’ve tried to take forward the best parts of my experience and pass on my learning, including the more challenging parts, to my own trainees. Since my graduate days, the firm has grown and added more structure, and it feels like we’re continuously improving the support we offer to trainees.
Where would you like to take your career next?
I’d like to keep building on what I’ve achieved here and becoming a senior manager in the future would be great. I’m currently expecting my first child, so the next year or two will look a little different, but my goal is continued career growth.
What do you enjoy most about working in audit?
Audit allows you to see a huge range of companies, industries and challenges. Every client works differently, and it’s rewarding to support them, whether through audit or consultancy work. Our client base spans restaurants, high‑end retail, film, TV, theatre and music. If someone is particularly interested in a sector, we try to help them shape their experience around it.
What do you like most about working at SRLV?
The people. The audit team has grown exponentially since I joined, yet it still feels close‑knit. There’s no hierarchy in how we sit or interact. Partners, managers and graduates all work alongside each other, and everyone is approachable. People go for lunch together, for drinks after work, and genuinely get on. That sense of community is the best thing about working here.
Congratulations on winning ETL Global’s Future Stars Award. Can you tell us about your experience?
I applied after our HR director, Nicola O’Shea, circulated the opportunity to participate internally, and I was selected to represent SRLV from those who put their name forward.
The programme brought together individuals from across Europe, and I was in an all‑female group, which was lovely. We travelled to the Czech Republic for the three‑day event. The presentation day was intense but enjoyable, and we were delighted to win. It was a great experience and a chance to apply the broader skills I’ve developed at SRLV, from organisation to communication and presenting.