KPMG said yesterday one of its employees, Raylene Whitford, had been named new accountant of the year at the British Accountancy Awards in recognition for her work in the oil and gas sector.
The 26-year-old, from Canada, is studying for an MBA at Robert Gordon University, in Aberdeen.
Miss Whitford splits her time between Aberdeen and London, working on a north-east client list for the oil and gas sector.
She qualified as a chartered accountant last November, but is said to have already become a key member of KPMG’s energy and natural resources group, operating at a level well above what would normally be expected at this stage of her career. The judges noted that Miss Whitford was exceptional in her industry focus.
She said the award had capped off a perfect year: “I’m honoured to have been recognised in this way, especially given the strong competition. It is an incredibly exciting time to be working in the oil and gas sector, given the recent developments in the North Sea, not to mention the rest of the world.
“Aberdeen is truly the energy capital of Europe – it is a great place for someone early on in their career to gain a deep exposure to the industry.
“I’m originally from Alberta, Canada, so it is interesting to see the contrast and compare the different facets of the offshore versus onshore industries.”
KPMG was also named global firm of the year at the British Accountancy Awards.
The judges praised it for its diversity of client base and commitment to corporate responsibility.
Duncan MacAskill, office senior partner at KPMG in Aberdeen, said: “We serve our clients best by creating an environment where our people can flourish and where talented individuals of all backgrounds can play a part.
“I am really proud of our people and proud that their passion and commitment has been recognised.”