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 have now been back at Larking Gowen nearly 20 years and have thoroughly enjoyed the variety of work and experience, and taking on the role of Chairman in April 2006.

Julie Grimmer - Partner, Norwich Office

I joined the firm, as a chartered trainee, aged 19, the only female student from amongst 23 new starters! I’d 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 and 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 and 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 has 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 & 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 - Senior, 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 am now studying for my early entry examinations, before I move on to the JIEB exams at which point I will be a fully qualified Insolvency Practitioner.

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 - Portfolio Holder, 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 now 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 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, have recently become 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. 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.

I am currently studying for my Chartered Tax Adviser exams, which I plan to take in May 2007. 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.

Leanne Corbersmith - Chartered Student, Colchester Office

How did I get to where I am now?

I got married at 18, graduated at 22 and started work for a competitor of LG in Norwich as an ACA trainee. In 2005 I became a very proud mum, and returned to work after 6 months maternity leave. I continued my studying during this time even though I had family commitments.

I joined Larking Gowen in May 2006, and I have just sat my final exams to become qualified and hope to complete my training contract early next year. Studying for the ACA qualification has been a long and hard experience especially whilst being a new parent, but the end is in sight and it will be a great sense of achievement when I make it.

Working for LG has been a pleasure so far, I have made some great friends and there are great opportunities available to me in the future.