What is your role within RG?
I am a senior manager within accounts and outsourced services.
Tell me about your career to date…
I graduated from Sheffield University with a degree in Mathematics and Economics. Following this I worked for two small North East accountancy firms gaining the ACCA qualification before joining RG in 2005 as a newly qualified accountant. In the sixteen years since joining RG I have been a training supervisor (twice) before working my way up to my current role as a senior manager.
What does your current role involve?
I have quite a varied role, dealing with most aspects of accountancy and tax, I somehow managed to avoid auditing along the way (thank goodness!). I mostly deal with small and medium sized owner managed entities, assisting them with their day to day needs and ensuring that all of their statutory requirements are met. In particular, I assist partner Deborah Graham with her portfolio of clients, reviewing and managing a number of her jobs, as well as offering advice and support along the way.
What makes RG different?
The breadth of experience and specialisms within the firm means we are able to offer expert advice across the board. Having both a partner and manager as points of contact for clients means someone is always available to assist.
My 3 most notable achievements to date would be….
Achieving first time passes in my accountancy exams whilst combining work, home learning and home life.
Getting my golf handicap down to 3 and maintaining a category 1 handicap for many years until the birth of my first child at which point it started a spiral which I have not yet exited. Cheers Oliver!
Travelling to South East Asia, Australia and New Zealand on my own, having booked up to travel one morning on a bit of a whim. I ended up spending a full year away working and travelling having originally planned to only go for 3 months.
Tell us about your day so far….
The days of a lie in are long gone so up nice and early to help get my son ready for nursery. Work starts at around 8am, checking emails and planning for the day ahead. At 10am I have a TEAMS call with Deborah Graham where we review her worklist, updating for job progress and planning staffing for upcoming work.
The next hour or so is spent responding to some client queries regarding VAT and duty on exports following a conversation with our VAT specialist and advising on electric bike benefits in kind. The afternoon is spent reviewing some accounts jobs, providing summaries of queries to a client and going through the review points with the accounts preparer.
I finish the day reviewing some tax returns with a view to filing them early and reducing the July payment on account. A last check of emails and updating tomorrow’s worklist before finishing for the day.
What do you enjoy outside of work?
Despite the above I still enjoy playing golf (but not as much as I used to), going for the odd run and watching most sports. I also enjoy spending time with my family and getting out for the odd drink or meal when time allows.
And finally, leave us with one interesting fact about yourself…
I once did 3 bungee jumps in a 24 hour period whilst in New Zealand…