What has been your career path so far?

Whilst studying Mathematics at the University of Sheffield I worked as a stage manager at various festivals and live music events and found that I really enjoyed the challenge and unpredictability that comes with project management. Throughout my time at school, sixth form and university I’d done various bits of volunteering and fundraising and saw first-hand the impact that charities have. I wasn’t particularly looking for a financial role, but when I came across the Trainee Accountant position at Sayer Vincent it seemed like the ideal opportunity to combine my love of Maths and experience with project management in a way that I could hopefully contribute in some small way to the not-for-profit sector. 

I started at Sayer Vincent in 2019, became ACA qualified in 2022 and have stayed on as a qualified member of staff since. 

What do you enjoy about the charity sector? 

My favourite thing about the charity sector is the sheer variety of organisations that we get to work with. We have a wonderfully diverse range of clients, who do a lot with very little and it’s always interesting learning about what they do and how they do it. Every client we work with is different in their own way, and there’s almost always new things happening each year we work together, it keeps the job exciting and challenging. 

Best part of the job?

The best part of the job is most definitely the people. The team here at Sayer Vincent are such a friendly and approachable group of people and I’m very grateful that I get to work with them every day. It’s always a pleasure seeing familiar faces at clients and catching up during each year’s audit as well as meeting and getting to know new clients. Everyone working in this sector is genuinely passionate and wants to be here, and I feel lucky to be a part of it. 

What is something people may not know?

I learned to sail when I was younger and when I was 18 took part in The Tall Ships Races, where I got to sail to Spain. On the trip I got to see dolphins and whales in the Atlantic Ocean and a variety of other wildlife, we lucked out and got a fairly stable crossing of the Bay of Biscay and saw some beautiful sunrises and sunsets. I’d love to one day get back into sailing.

What do you get up to outside of work?

When I’m not at work I’m happiest outside, be that running, open water swimming, hiking, paddle boarding, cycling, or attempting to stay upright on a snowboard.