Under the staff spotlight this month we have one of our Senior Accountants (and theatrical promoter of biscuits), Emily!

What is your job title?

Senior Accountant

Give an overview of the duties, functions and responsibilities of your job.

Accounts, VAT returns, corporation tax returns. Advising clients on their responsibilities and working with them to ensure they meet their filing deadlines.

What is a typical working day like for you?

Busy! I get a lot of emails, so I try and do those first thing, then I have consultation calls with new clients which I quite enjoy. I can talk for Britain and it really eases the new clients in. Then I get on with my accounts work.

What particular challenges do you regularly encounter?

During this time, everyone is struggling. I just try and reassure the clients that I’m here and I care, and I’ll do whatever I can to help.

What are some of the biggest challenges faced by your clients?

We get a lot of new business sign ups. It’s daunting starting a new business, so we use the initial consultation call to get to know the client and reassure them. We’ll talk through their responsibilities and deadlines, and just let them know that I’m here to work with and support them.

How are you able to use your skills to solve problems for them?

My Dad has run a small business for many years, so when I ended up working in accounts and saw he was struggling with his duties to HMRC, I stepped in. Based on this, I keep my advice to clients down to earth and comprehensive. I really do have a passion to help small businesses.

What is your favourite part of the job?

The clients are my favourite part of my job. Everyone thinks being an accountant is boring, but I meet so many interesting and diverse businesses.

What do you like most about working for The Accountancy Partnership?

Colleagues! Again, interesting and diverse, and having that knowledge bank is amazing, I can’t wait to get back to the office to pick all their brains.

What skills do you find most useful to do your job?

Personability. I can chat away to clients and make them feel at ease.

Where’s your favourite place to visit on days off?

Eastham Woods, and The Mimosa Tea Garden where they have the best ice cream, I’m looking forward to going back there soon.

Tell us about your proudest achievement.

As a mum I know everyone says their kids and I’m certainly proud of my 2 boys but outside of them, I suppose moving down to the Wirral and driving a van. It was terrifying, but I did it with 2 toddlers and a cat.

How would your colleagues describe you?

Always kind and helpful, and very blunt.

What are you reading/binge watching at the moment?

Stephen King ‘If It Bleeds’. I’m dyslexic, so reading is always a challenge but I’ve loved his books since I was a teenager and I enjoy the escape of reading.

Who do you admire, and why?

My mum, she’s so cool. I make it my life work to try and annoy her for sport and it makes her laugh, but she remains unshakable. She is the kindest and sweetest person I know.

What question would you really like to answer, and what’s the answer?!

A question I ask everyday, “what can I do today to be kind to myself and others?” There’s no answer other than just dispense kindness where you encounter the need.

About The Author

Elizabeth Hughes

A content writer specialising in business, finance, software, and beyond. I'm a wordsmith with a penchant for puns and making complex subjects accessible.