What is your role within RG?
My role within the Outsourced FD team as Outsourced Advisory Manager involves looking after the finance function of a variety of clients. We work closely with SMEs to provide valuable support helping them grow their business.
As in my previous role, I work primarily with Xero for most of my clients. Part of my job is to make sure the team is using Xero efficiently and making the most of apps like Dext to speed up data processing without sacrificing the quality of the inputs.
Tell me about your career to date
I started studying AAT while I was working as a waiter, then managed to land an industry job working for Stoneacre, a Ford dealership in York. After passing AAT I decided that I wanted to advance onto ACCA and try my hand in practice. I joined a small firm called Atkinsons who later merged with BHP, where I worked for just over 6 years in the Digital Finance department providing management accounts, budgets, cashflows and outsourced services to SMEs mainly based in Yorkshire.
Having relocated from York to Newcastle in 2022 I was keen to find a job in the North East and wanted to continue working within a digital/outsource department. Having met Dan Cooper and speaking to the O|FD team I knew RG would be a good fit.
What does your current role involve?
Our team provides a variety of outsource finance function services to clients as well as providing up-to-date management reports following the month end. I help to make sure the financial data is accurate and delivered in time for client deadlines.
I keep track of statutory deadlines and make sure we are preparing the financial statements, corporation tax returns and VAT returns in good time to be able to advise our clients accordingly.
My role also involves keeping a lookout for new software that may assist our team or our clients. This could mean implementing a new management reporting tool or sourcing a digital payment app to assist with payment approvals.
My 3 most notable achievements to date would be….
- Passing both my AAT and ACCA with first time passes throughout. Something I never thought was going to be possible due to moving house twice, a York-Newcastle commute for a year and all the fun we had with covid.
- Securing funding for my clients during covid and providing support to help them through the brunt of the pandemic. It was an intense year in 2020 but turned out to be a great learning experience for forecasting and scenario planning.
- Being awarded ‘Player of the Year’ during my rugby days playing for Pocklington RUFC. I haven’t played for a while but was really pleased to receive this award.
Tell us about your day so far?
Lots of reviewing! Reviewing year end accounts, CT returns, VAT returns and management accounts. I usually spend the first 15 minutes of my day planning my workload and catching up on emails.
I’ve been working with a client to provide onsite FM support over the last few weeks. This has been really useful to help me understand how the business operates and support the MD with any queries while I’m there. Today I was helping the admin team use Dext more efficiently which, in turn, makes the data in Xero accurate for the management reports.
Finally, I’ll need to run through my inbox and make sure I’ve responded to everything.
What do you enjoy outside of work?
Outside of work I try and make as much time as possible to see my friends and family. I really enjoy cooking and am always trying new restaurants to pick up ideas.
I enjoy going to the gym, even if I only manage to go about once a week!
Skiing is probably my favourite hobby and I try to go every year but would also be happy just spending a week on the beach.