When I was thinking about my career options, I knew I didn’t want to go to university but I liked numbers/statistics, so I gathered information on roles in banking and accountancy. I then saw the advertisement in the local paper for a trainee accountant at a practice in Worthing. I went into practice rather than corporate because I felt I would get more exposure to lots of different things – the role I took promised variety.
What I love most about my job is the variety and the people. If you have a good team around you who you can call upon, that helps, and that is what we have at Carpenter Box. We employ around 200 people – it has grown from 30 or so when I joined. We act for a variety of clients, from the smallest sole-trading gardener to large corporate groups. We have a specialist team looking after the ‘influencers’, a sector that didn’t exist when I started.
You need to be a ‘people person’ to be in practice
The profession is evolving constantly. For example, it’s much more ‘advisory’ now. But that knowledge can’t be found in textbooks; you must gain an understanding from those around you. I am still learning, 25-odd years after passing my exams. Also, technology now means that clients can be anywhere. Some of mine are outside of the UK, and a lot of our ‘influencers’ aren’t local to us, but technology enables you to look after anyone, anywhere (up to a point).
I think you need to be a ‘people person’ to be in practice. Clients need to feel comfortable with the person they deal with, and they buy the person providing the service, not just the service. Accountants are a sounding board for clients, and for the smaller ones we are their FD.
The pandemic was one of the most stressful periods in recent memory. There were a lot of unknowns in the early stages, and clients needed a trusted adviser for support. I have looked after several of my clients for many years, so I knew a lot about them, and that helped with the advice I was giving at the time.
We support numerous charities and individuals through our charitable arm. This might be through making cash donations but also by giving our time to support projects where they need an extra pair of hands. It is important to give something back.
As for outside of work, I am a season ticket holder at Brighton and Hove Albion FC. I play golf (not particularly well!), and I attend the local parkrun every Saturday, but 5km is my limit.
