ICAS’s top Scottish accountants under 35 in profile

The global body of finance professionals said the list, which includes entries spanning six continents, recognises “the best and brightest Chartered Accountants who are making a difference to the profession and to society”.

For the next 15 days Scottish Financial News will be profiling each of the Scottish representatives.

Today we profile: Scott Dunbar 32, who is nominated in the Leadership Category.

More information on ICAS’s 35 Chartered Accountants (CAs) under 35.

Scott Dunbar CA, 32, Business Advisory Director, Johnston Carmichael, Elgin.

Scott joined Johnston Carmichael in 2008, having previously completed both AAT and CA training. Scott’s route to the CA qualification differed from the traditional graduate route and gave Scott six years of hands on, practical working experience up to the date of qualifying. Scott joined Johnston Carmichael as a qualified assistant to the Finance Director, progressing to Financial Controller in 2011. During this time Scott worked alongside the Executive Team on strategic planning and development, assisting and providing input to the commercial aspects of acquisitions together with leading a finance team of 13. Scott’s progress and potential in the business has recently earned him a promotion to Director at the age of 32. Scott is also involved with a local community company, Forres Events Limited, providing full and comprehensive finance support to the Board of Directors.

“I joined Johnston Carmichael in 2008 as a qualified assistant to the Finance Director and after two years progressed to Financial Controller. I then transferred back into a client facing role in early 2014 becoming a Senior Client Relationship Manager and looking after a diverse portfolio of clients. More recently I have been promoted to a Business Advisory Director with Johnston Carmichael.

I remember having a desire when leaving school to go out and begin a career where I could build up practical experience from day one as I always felt that practical, hands on experience was the secret art in any good career. I also had a desire to “put a pound in my pocket” from day one which learning on the job allowed me to do. I didn’t know at the time that accountancy was the career choice that I wanted to pursue however I was good with numbers at school and therefore decided that putting my numeracy skills to good use made sense. I wrote to all the banks and accountancy firms in my local area enclosing my C.V. asking them to consider me for a trainee position. One of the local accountancy firms replied offering me an interview and thereafter a job.

Throughout my career to date I have always felt very fortunate to be sitting with the experience that I have and to work for a firm that has fully supported my career progression. Entering the profession at grass-roots level, straight from school, has given me a strong work ethic and a foot up in gaining valuable practical and commercial experience from an early age. This has provided me with the solid foundation on which to progress my career further and I enjoy drawing down on that experience in assisting clients solve their business issues and in helping them to plan for their future. I am also passionate about inspiring colleagues around me and our next generation of CAs, in particular, inspiring those who are thinking of pursuing a career route similar to mine. I actively assist in speaking to students and parents from our local schools about my experience in obtaining the CA qualification and am passionate about inspiring individuals not only to pursue their ambition to become an accountant, but also to develop an appetite for business and be able to think commercially.

I was once told by a partner of the firm I worked for whilst studying for my CA qualification that the best thing about having the qualification is the doors that it opens for you and my experience since obtaining my CA qualification has been exactly that. There are many different avenues that you can take in business and I believe that the CA qualification has given me access to opportunities I may not otherwise have had.”