Recruitment | Success Stories

David Whitehead - Partner and Chairman of Larking Gowen

Having qualified as a chartered accountant within the firm, I wanted to experience the bright lights and big clients of London, so joined one of the big four firms, hoping that the training and experience I had gained at Larking Gowen would help me! I am pleased to say that it most certainly did and subsequently I took a one year secondment in Hong Kong.

Back in the UK, commuting rapidly lost its appeal and I contacted Larking Gowen and returned to become a partner – I was just 28.

I like the close contact you get – we have this personal and professional approach which encourages a deep involvement in a client's business and can help move it forward. That is very satisfying.

I returned to Larking Gowen in 1988 and have thoroughly enjoyed the variety of work and experience, and took on the role of Chairman in April 2006.

Julie Grimmer - Partner, Norwich Office

I joined the firm, as a chartered trainee, aged 19 having done A levels at North Walsham Girls High School and completed a years Foundation in Accountancy at Norwich City College. It took me two years to pass the first level of my professional exams, and my final level exams took somewhat longer. My number of sittings of the final papers is now somewhat legendary!

Despite my slow progress with exams, I continued to progress rapidly at work and was promoted to supervisor long before I finally qualified as a chartered accountant in 1989. Within a year I was promoted to manager & in 1996 I became a senior manager.

I’ve had 2 two career breaks when my sons were born; initially returning on a full time basis, but found it became more difficult to juggle work, school, home etc. At this stage the firm supported my request for flexible part-time working and this continued right up to my admission as a partner in 2006.

My progression through the firm has been very different from many of my colleagues! I think my experience demonstrates the value the firm places on drive and determination. My progress has continued alongside maternity leave and flexible part-time working and I believe that this is an incredibly important message for an employer to be able to give.

Now that I am a partner I am looking forward to future challenges ahead. I particularly enjoy the opportunities that our profession gives to meet new people in all sorts of environments. I am also looking forward to the opportunity to continue to develop the careers of my own team of staff.

James Tucker – Partner, Colchester Office

I joined the firm's Norwich office in 1996 as a chartered student and qualified in 2000. Shortly afterwards I did an 18 month secondment to our Holt office where I gained valuable experience in dealing with different clients, before moving back to Norwich in 2003 to fill a managerial post.

Just 2 years later with the continued support and training from the firm, and hard work and dedication on my part I progressed to become a partner in the firm aged 28, moving to Colchester, one of our newer offices.

The continued expansion of the firm into new areas presents even greater opportunities for career development within the firm and my role now is to coach and develop my team to achieve their full potential.

Adam Clarke - Supervisor, Business Recovery Department

I joined the firm in February 2006 having previously worked for a large national practice and a regional practice both based in Ipswich where I completed my AAT and CPI examinations. At Larking Gowen I studied for my early entry examinations, before moving on to the JIEB exams in 2008 which will make me a fully qualified Insolvency Practitioner very soon.

I work as a portfolio holder within the business recovery and insolvency department, where I am responsible for the day to day management of clients, both corporate and private, who are subject to formal insolvency procedures such as Liquidation, Administration, Individual Voluntary Arrangements, Bankruptcy and others. I get involved in initial consultations, dealing with the statutory matters relating to the formal insolvency appointment and thereafter, realising assets in order to maximise returns to their relevant creditors and much more. This includes those who enter into solvent liquidation as a tax efficient method of winding up a solvent company. I also deal with general turnaround and recovery advice where we look to advise and assist businesses to return to profitability, improve cashflow or perhaps re-negotiate terms with their existing creditors, without the requirement of entering into a formal insolvency procedure.

I’ve had a great start at Larking Gowen and I look forward to continuing with my studies and progressing my career here.

Laura Howes - Supervisor, Norwich Office

I joined Larking Gowen in September 2003, having graduated from the University of East Anglia with a degree in Business Management. Three years later I have just completed my exams and qualified as a Chartered Accountant.

I work as a portfolio holder in a “general practice” group, managing my own clients. The work includes audits, accounts preparation, corporation tax, personal tax and payroll.  I was promoted to supervisor in 2007.

I really enjoy the variety and opportunity to work on so many different jobs and I feel that this was very beneficial when studying for my exams. The quality of the training provided and the support I received from my work group has helped me to progress quickly.

I am looking forward to continuing to progress and develop at Larking Gowen, hopefully with the opportunity to support new members of staff in the way that I have been supported.

Helen Hermer - Tax Senior, Norwich Office

I joined the firm in June 2002, having completed a Business Management degree at the University of East Anglia. I was initially interested in general accountancy; however, having discovered more about tax as a career and meeting the manager of the Personal Tax Department at Larking Gowen, I decided that this was the way to go!

I work as an assistant for a portfolio holder in the tax department, and in addition to this, I am responsible for my own portfolio of clients. My work consists of the preparation of tax returns and dealing with the administration and organisation of portfolios. There is also the opportunity to meet clients and get involved in specialised tax planning, when the need arises. We have a great team atmosphere in the tax department, which is important to our success especially in the very busy period in January each year!

I was supported to study for my ATT (Association of Taxation Technician) exams in May 2003. and Chartered Tax Advisor exams in May 2007 Although it was hard work studying in the evenings and at weekends, all the help I needed was available from my manager and other colleagues in the tax department.

In the future I look forward to further developing my technical knowledge, continuing to advise clients and facing new challenges as the area of tax constantly evolves.

Josh Perrott - AAT Trainee, Cromer

I joined the firm in July 2007, having completed my A-Levels at Sheringham Sixth Form Centre. I was keen to start work and find a role which would enable me to study for the AAT (Association of Accounting Technician) exams and to me Larking Gowen seemed the right firm to join. I had already completed 2 periods of work experience with LG, in year 10 and the other during the summer holidays after year 12, both of which I enjoyed.

I currently work as an AAT trainee, assisting a portfolio holder in our Cromer office. I have a wide variety of duties including the compilation of company and income tax returns, accounts and some administration duties. I enjoy the responsibilities I have and look forward to these being extended as my experiences increases.

I am part-way through the AAT exams and my first year with Larking Gowen has been a real success for me. I have found the staff at Cromer great to work with, and the AAT course very interesting.

My plan is to complete my AAT and then continue to train as a Chartered or Certified Accountant. Larking Gowen have set me on the right path for this, and so I see no reason why I should not have a long and happy career with the firm!