Sally Reed FCA BSc(Econ) Partner – Haines Watts Launceston & Okehampton
• What made you decide on accountancy as a career?
I stumbled into it! Graduating from London School of Economics in 1985, I spent some time working in the City before locating to Cornwall for personal reasons. Accountancy was a profession I could do locally, and I loved it!
• How long have you been an accountant?
I qualified in 1991, after three years studying for ICAEW exams.
• What skills or qualifications do you need in your business?
Being good at maths and numeracy helps, however, accountancy is much more than that. It’s also being able to write letters and able to advise clients on what can be quite technical points, in a language they understand. Accountants have a lot of technical knowledge relating to a range of scenarios and need to explain to clients what it all means. The world of accounting and tax is constantly changing and we must keep up-to-date; always learning and developing. I’d say the most important skill is the ability to listen – firstly to understand clients’ problems and advise in their best interests. Sometimes they just need a sounding board, or even a shoulder to cry on - being in business is stressful!
• Do you specialise in certain areas of accountancy and if so, why?
I’ve never specialised in any particular sector, but enjoy dealing with different trades and sectors, helping small and medium sized limited company clients. As a result, I can transfer experience and knowledge to offer advice to varying companies facing similar issues.
• Can you describe a typical day at work?
I prefer getting out and about meeting clients face to face, so typically arrive at their business premises at 9am to review their accounts or discuss any issues. Getting back to the office I check in with my team, offering support and guidance as necessary, responding to emails, and taking calls from clients. The staff leave at 5pm allowing me quiet time to look at a specific set of accounts, or tax issues that may have arisen, before heading home by 7pm.
• What aspect of your work do you enjoy the most?
I love the variety of meeting different clients, and seeing them in their environment, which means I learn much about them as individuals and their relationship with their business. Often, I expect to talk about a particular issue, such as finalising the year end accounts, and end up finding out a lot more, allowing me to offer input in all sorts of ways. More and more, with the change to cloud accounting, we’ll be able to look at the future of the business, rather than looking back, which I find really exciting.
• What’s the most challenging part of your job?
Struggling to stop! In an ideal world I’d be able to give all my time for free to every business I encounter, however it’s not realistic! For some businesses who are struggling, it can be difficult to appreciate more of our input would help in the long-run, when in the short-term the finance or willingness to change may not be available.
• Do you have any plans or ambitions for the future?
I intend carrying on doing what I am doing, concentrating on small and medium sized companies which can benefit from my advice most and supporting my staff to develop and grow.
• What would you say to someone thinking of becoming an accountant?
It’s a rewarding career, and a passport to moving into business management, or to stay in a practice giving advice to a range of different businesses. It’s real satisfaction when you’ve assisted a client with a particular issue, or saved them some tax. The studying process is rigorous and demanding, particularly after working all day, however, once you’re fully trained as a Chartered or Certified accountant, or obtained an AAT (Association of Taxation Technicians), it’s a great qualification to have under your belt, wherever you end up!