Over the last year, Wilby Jones Consulting has gone from strength to strength. Part of that success is down to our amazing team: in just 11 months, we’ve grown from just three people to a team of 12!

To help you get to know the people behind Wilby Jones, we’ll be profiling a different team member on the blog each month. Today, we’re chatting with our Senior Tax Associate, Jess Grief.

Jess joined Wilby Jones Consulting back in August and is already an integral part of the team. Over to you, Jess…

Can you tell us a bit about your recent promotion: how does it feel, and how has your role changed?

I joined the team as a Tax Associate back in August, but have just been promoted to Senior Tax Associate. I was over the moon with my new role: I really enjoy my job so it meant a lot to be rewarded for my efforts and I look forward to taking on new challenges. I am now a supervisor and first point of contact for two of my colleagues, with a third due to start in February. I have been assisting with training (which has been carried out almost entirely online due to lockdown!) as well as reviewing completed R&D tax relief reports prior to them being sent on to the partners for the final review stage.

 

What did you do before coming to work at Wilby Jones?

The majority of my career has been in the education sector, and then I spent a year working as a legal secretary in a local law firm prior to starting with Wilby Jones. I did not go to university and instead, I opted for an Apprenticeship. I later started my degree through the Open University which I am looking forward to finishing this year.

What is your favourite part of your role?

The sheer variety of the work, the collaboration involved in the work, and the fact that there is always something to be learned are my favourite parts of the role. No two days are the same due to the diversity of our clients and their projects. I love learning about the projects that our clients have undertaken, going on to research different aspects of the projects and then compiling everything into a comprehensive report to help them receive money back.

How do you find working from home?

It was strange at first but I soon got used to it! Doing the work itself is no different to doing it in the office, just with a lot fewer people around! However, Simon and Darryl are very supportive, making sure we have everything we need. The team communicates a lot; we have Microsoft Teams calls every day, and we’re constantly using the chat function to message each other. Knowing you’re supported by the rest of the team makes it feel much less isolating.

 

How do you unwind after a long day at work?

As I am writing this in a cold January in lockdown, a lot of time after work at the moment is spent reading, studying, gaming and baking. During the summer months, however, I love to go to the coast with my partner on his motorcycle.

 

What does your perfect weekend look like?

It would definitely involve some form of motorsport event with my partner, our friends, and plenty of sunshine!

Thanks, Jess! Check back on the Wilby Jones Consulting blog next month, where we’ll be profiling a different member of the team.