Our own people talk about the Grant Thornton difference

Andrew Harris

I began my career in the UK in multinational corporates before returning to New Zealand and working for Telecom and the Downer Group. But after six years in the corporate environment, my aims changed; I wanted to work with business owners and help them improve their businesses and personal wealth. I joined a large accountancy practice in Pukekohe and three years later, my ambition to find more meaningful work really started to be realised when I joined Grant Thornton Auckland.

Before joining, I’d done due diligence on consultancy practices, the big four accounting firms and the next level of accountancy practices in Auckland. I was very clear on the career path that I wanted and the type of people I wanted to work with. I met with several principals of leading accountancy practices and made a lot of enquiries in the business market in Auckland and I found that Grant Thornton came as highly recommended.

My key goal was to work with respected and progressive business advisory practitioners and work in a team environment that encouraged autonomy and personal responsibility but at the same time provided the support and learning opportunities for me to progress.

My secondary goal was to become a director. No promises were made when I joined, however I was given a clear career path, strong mentoring and encouragement and the opportunities to improve and prove myself. I was made director at Grant Thornton Auckland in January 2009 and I could not be more delighted to part of a great team with the opportunity to work with talented and experienced people across the full range of business advisory services. I look forward to helping develop and providing opportunities to talented individuals as is the Grant Thornton way.