Tom Straughton

My interest in accountancy started at home, watching my mum progress from studying for her AAT qualification to becoming a Chartered Accountant. Seeing her dedication and success gave me an early insight into the profession and inspired me to follow a similar path.

I have always enjoyed setting goals and challenging myself to achieve them, whether that is developing my career in accountancy or competing in downhill mountain biking events across the UK. Through racing, I have learned the importance of commitment, resilience and continuous improvement, qualities that I bring to my role every day.

My interest in business and finance continued throughout my studies, where I particularly enjoyed learning about how organisations operate and make financial decisions. Joining David Allen was a natural next step, thanks to the firm’s excellent reputation and the positive experiences shared by people I know who have built successful careers here. Attending open evenings also gave me a real insight into the supportive culture and opportunities for development on offer.

Outside of work, I compete in downhill mountain biking at both the regional and national levels as part of Cyclewise Racing. The sport has taken me all over the UK, from Fort William in Scotland to Llangollen in Wales, and I hope to compete in European events in the future. I also enjoy supporting charitable causes through cycling challenges and have previously completed the Coast to Coast bike ride, raising more than £1,000 for Great North Air Ambulance.

My ambition is to progress through my AAT qualifications and ultimately become a Chartered Accountant. I am excited to continue developing my skills, broadening my experience and building a successful career with David Allen.