Alex Baker

After graduating from Kent in 2011 with a BSc Economics degree, Alex Baker decided to stay in Canterbury and accepted the offer of a training contract from Burgess Hodgson LLP. He has been with the firm ever since, becoming a qualified Chartered Accountant in 2014, and a Partner in 2018.

Tell us about your career path since graduation.

A friend at Kent put me in touch with someone they knew who had just accepted a training contract (to become a Chartered Accountant) at Burgess Hodgson. I had toyed with the idea of working in London but there were few opportunities in finance coming out of the 2008 financial crisis so I decided to stay in Canterbury and apply for a training contract at Burgess Hodgson instead. It was an opportunity to stay local, with training costs covered by the firm, and clear career progression. After an interview, I secured the role before graduating.

My career path has been relatively straight forward since then. I joined the firm in August 2011, I qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 2014, and became a Partner in 2018.

What does a typical work day look like for you?

With a wide variety of clients (different sectors, sizes, locations) there aren’t many typical days! I enjoy the variety and the pace you have to work at in order to keep everyone happy. You can start with a plan for the day but a project can come up that all of a sudden you need to prioritise.

Can you share a professional highlight from your career so far?

Becoming a Partner in the firm is the main highlight. Alongside that, getting to travel and working with clients and other professionals from around the world is also something I enjoy and not necessarily something I expected from a firm with a Canterbury HQ.

How did your time at Kent help you achieve your current career?

The Economics department was strong, with great lecturers from around the world, which made for a great foundation in understanding different aspects of macro and micro economics. Kent was also great for building connections – everyone mixed across the colleges, degree courses, societies, and clubs.

What advice would you give to our current/prospective students who are looking to get into the same line of work?

Go to the Careers Fair and strike up a conversation with any of the Accounting/ Finance/ Business Advisory firms that are exhibiting. Try a week or two of work experience if you get the opportunity – if you don’t ask, you don’t get. It might be easier to secure work experience with the smaller, regional, firms rather than the ‘big four’ but it will still give you an idea of what to expect.

Do you have a favourite memory from your time at Kent?

Winning the Inter-College Football League.

Is there anything you would do differently if you could repeat your time at Kent?

In hindsight, I wish I’d considered a year studying abroad although I’m not sure I would have been confident enough to do it back then.

Are you still in touch with other Kent alumni or academics?

Very much so. I catch up with old housemates and friends whenever I can, although that has been at weddings or the first birthday parties of the next generation more recently!

I’ve also come across Kent Alumni in my professional network and it’s been great to work together.

What are your future ambitions?

I’m very much focussed on Burgess Hodgson LLP and the great team we have here. We’ll keep growing and making sure we’re set up well for the future.