Starting your career is a big step, and choosing the right place to do it can make all the difference.

In our Graduate Spotlight series, we’re handing things over to the people who know the NLP graduate experience best: our graduates themselves.

We caught up with one of our current Graduate Audit Trainees, Riya Johny, to hear about life at NLP so far, from working with a varied mix of clients and studying towards a professional qualification to the support, responsibility and opportunities that come with being part of the team.

Here’s what she had to say.

What made you choose NLP for your graduate career?

I chose NLP because I really liked the variety of clients they work with, particularly theatres and charities.When I researched about the company, I found lots of positive reviews including a great LinkedIn platform where I learned about all the opportunities they have to offer. I also found lots of positive feedback, and speaking to some of the grads during my visit gave me even more reassurance that it was a friendly and supportive place to work.

What does a typical day look like for you as a graduate, if there is such a thing?

I find that a typical day is never the same. I work with a variety of clients and carry out a range of different tasks, from preparing accounts and conducting audit testing to preparing for meetings with clients.

How have you found balancing studying for your professional qualification alongside your day-to-day work?

I have found that balancing studying for my professional qualification alongside my day-to-day work can be challenging at times, but it is also very rewarding. The structure of the graduate programme helps me manage both, as I am able to apply what I learn through studying directly to my work. This makes the content easier to understand and helps reinforce my knowledge.

Time management is important, particularly when preparing for exams alongside busy periods at work. I have found that planning my time effectively and keeping on top of my studies helps me maintain a good balance. Although it can be demanding, I enjoy the combination of studying and practical experience, as both complement each other and allow me to continue developing professionally.

What’s the team culture really like from a graduate’s perspective?

From a graduate’s perspective, I have found the team culture to be very supportive and welcoming. Everyone is approachable and willing to help, which makes it easier to ask questions and learn from those around you.

There is also a strong sense of teamwork, particularly during busy periods, where everyone works together to meet deadlines and support one another. I have found that people are encouraged to take responsibility for their own work while still having the support of the wider team when needed. Overall, I think the culture provides a good balance between being professional and having a friendly and enjoyable working environment.

If someone was considering applying for NLP’s Graduate Audit Trainee Programme, what would you say to them?

I would definitely recommend applying if you are interested in pursuing a career in audit. The Graduate Audit Trainee Programme provides a great opportunity to gain practical experience while working towards your professional qualification. You are given responsibility from an early stage, but there is always support available from colleagues when you need it.

The role is varied, so every day is different, and you get the opportunity to work with a range of clients and develop a broad set of skills. It can be challenging at times, particularly when balancing work with studying, but it is a rewarding experience and provides a strong foundation for your career. If you are willing to learn, take on new challenges and make the most of the opportunities available, I would highly recommend it.

Starting a career in audit might not be quite what you expect. There’s much more to it than numbers and spreadsheets, from working directly with clients and understanding how businesses operate to building relationships and developing skills that can shape your entire career.

With applications for our Graduate Audit Trainee Programme now open, we sat down with Hetal Mistry, Audit Partner at Nyman Libson Paul, to talk about what a career in audit really looks like at NLP.

From what he looks for in graduate applications to the experience trainees can expect in their first year, Hetal shares his insight into starting out in audit, the culture of the team and what graduates can gain from beginning their career at an independent firm like NLP.

What do you look for in a graduate beyond their degree and academic results?

Academic results are important, but they only tell part of the story. I look for personality, attitude and a genuine willingness to learn.

At NLP, we have a fantastic team culture, so it’s important that new joiners are people who will fit in well, work collaboratively and contribute positively to the environment around them. I also look for individuals who are proactive, curious and willing to take ownership of their development.

The graduates who tend to do really well are often the go-getters. They’re entrepreneurial in their thinking, keen to build relationships and prepared to get involved rather than waiting to be told what to do. That mindset aligns well with the type of firm we are.

A lot more than they might expect.

What can someone expect to be doing in their first year?

From day one, graduates are working towards their professional qualification while gaining practical experience through real client work. They’ll receive structured training, support with their exams and exposure to a variety of businesses and sectors.

Some days they’ll be working alongside colleagues in the office, and on others they’ll be out at client premises gaining first-hand experience. They’ll be interacting with clients, building technical knowledge and developing the professional skills needed to become a trusted adviser.

Every week brings something different, which is one of the reasons the role is so rewarding.

How would you describe the culture of the Audit team to someone who has never stepped inside the office?

I’d describe it as supportive, ambitious and genuinely friendly.

We’re a team that works hard, but we also enjoy spending time together. People know each other well, collaborate openly and are always willing to help when someone needs support. It’s not uncommon to see colleagues socialising outside of work or celebrating each other’s successes.

One of the things I’m most proud of is our staff retention. Many of our people build long-term careers with us, helped by initiatives such as our Manager Pathway programme, which provides a clear route for progression and development.

Most importantly, they’re simply good people to be around. Graduates quickly become part of the team and have a strong support network around them from day one.

What do you think NLP offers a graduate that they might not experience at a much larger firm?

One of the biggest differences is breadth of experience.

At NLP, graduates don’t spend months working on just one section of an audit or a single type of assignment. Instead, they gain exposure to the entire audit process while also developing skills in accounts preparation, corporation tax and even advisory work across a wide range of sectors.

This gives them a much broader understanding of how businesses operate and helps them develop into well-rounded accountants much earlier in their careers.

The other difference is the people. In a larger organisation, it’s easy to feel like one person among thousands. At NLP, everyone knows your name. You’ll work closely with managers, directors and partners, your contribution will be recognised, and you’ll have real opportunities to make an impact from the outset.

What would you say to someone who is considering applying but isn’t quite sure whether audit is for them?

I’d say don’t rule it out based on what you think audit is.

Many people assume audit is simply about numbers and spreadsheets, but in reality it’s a people-focused profession. Every day involves meeting business owners, finance teams and senior leaders, understanding how their organisations operate and helping build trust in financial information.

Audit gives you a unique opportunity to learn how different businesses work, from entrepreneurial start-ups to established organisations across a wide range of sectors. Few careers provide such a broad commercial education at such an early stage.

If you’re curious, enjoy solving problems, like working with people and want a career that offers continuous learning and development, audit could be a much better fit than you realise. Even if you don’t spend your entire career in audit, the business, commercial and interpersonal skills you develop will benefit you wherever your future career takes you

On 1 October 2025, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) announced the following changes to Charity reporting thresholds for England and Wales:

• Independent examination threshold: Raised from £25,000 to £40,000 income

• Receipts and Payments accounts option (non-company charities): Increased from £250,000 to £500,000 income

• Audit threshold: Increased from £1 million to £1.5 million income

• Asset threshold for audit: Increased from £3.26 million to £5 million (associated income threshold increased from £250,000 to £500,000)

• Group accounts preparation threshold: Increased from £1 million to £1.5 million income

These changes are expected to come into force for accounting periods ending on or after 30
September 2026.

The thresholds had remained unchanged for a number of years. The audit thresholds for corporate entities had increased significantly within the same timeframe. The planned changes will therefore help to ease the regulatory burden on smaller charities. Many had been drawn into audit requirements that felt disproportionate to their size and complexity.

However, some organisations which may now fall outside the regulatory requirement for an audit may still need an audit if it is a requirement of their governing document or requested by donors or funders. Where this may apply, trustees and management are advised to start having conversations now as to whether these arrangements continue to be
appropriate and of benefit to the Charity or whether changes need to be made.

Several thresholds related to transparency and regulatory permissions will remain unchanged, including:

• Registration threshold: £5,000

• Annual return threshold: £10,000

Filing accounts with the Charity Commission: £25,000

Overall, the proposals seek to balance regulatory efficiency with public trust, ensuring that financial scrutiny remains appropriate to charity size and resources.

Further information: Click here