• about us
  • our history
  • our philosophy
  • client care
  • investing in staff
  • equality and csr policy
• our services
  • audit and accounts
    • statutory audit
    • audit assurance
    • accounts preparation
  • business and advisory services
    • strategic planning
    • profit maximisation
    • start-up advice and plans
    • company secretarial
  • tax planning
    • tax-efficient remuneration
    • employee share schemes
    • trusts
    • inheritance tax
    • capital gains tax
    • stamp duty land tax
    • incorporation
    • valuations
  • tax compliance
    • corporate self-assessment
    • personal self-assessment
    • VAT
    • employee benefits
  • outsourced services
    • the benefits of oursourcing
    • management accounts
    • book-keeping
    • payroll
    • property accounting
  • financial services
• our sectors
  • charity and not for profit
  • media, technology, telecoms
  • medical
  • property & construction
  • professional practices
    • compliance services
    • legal entities
    • practice profitability
    • exit strategies and advisory services
  • retail
• our people
  • partners
  • management
• testimonials
  • by client
• news
  • newsletters
  • press releases
  • articles
  • press contacts
  • business news
• careers
  • recruitment
  • graduate programme
  • experienced hire
  • employee testimonials
• contact
  • where we are
  • get in touch

careers :: employee testimonials

• Charlotte Eastham :: TRAINEE CHARTERED ACCOUNTANT

  I joined Harold Sharp in 2005 following graduation from the University of Central Lancashire, where I achieved a first class degree in Accounting with Business, and was awarded Student of the Year of the Lancashire Business School. Choosing the right accountancy practice was a very important decision for me, and I spent considerable time researching firms in the Manchester area. Despite meeting with several of the larger, more high profile practices, I was very impressed by Harold Sharp during my interview process and felt the firm could offer me a good foundation for my career in accounting. The most obvious attribute of the firm is the people. Everyone is friendly and willing to help. Colleagues make time to provide one-to-one guidance, which I feel is crucial for on-the-job training and personal progression. Due to the size of the firm, there is plenty of opportunity to gain experience working with a variety of clients, from sole traders to larger companies, and to get involved in meeting their differing accounting needs, including audits and taxation. This “real world” experience is invaluable, as it has helped support my knowledge and competency, as well as my progression towards exam success. Support is also offered throughout exam progression – it’s great to know there is always someone on hand within the firm to offer help, as there are a number of students that have been through the same exams. Looking to the future, I expect to qualify in October 2009 and I am currently considering how I would like to take the next step in my career. I’m considering a number of areas as potential specialisms, and I’ve particularly enjoyed working with some of our entrepreneurial clients who operate in fast-growth sectors. I consider myself to be quite ambitious, so as the practice continues to attract larger clients who need first-class accountancy services and business advice, I believe there are numerous opportunities on the horizon for me.

• Chelsey Darlington :: ACCOUNTING SERVICES/AUDIT

  I joined the firm in 2006 when I was eighteen, having sat my final two exams for my AAT intermediate level. Initially, my role within the small business department involved accounts preparation for smaller businesses, payroll assistance and preparing some VAT returns. As the first trainee employed at AAT level, I had to prove my capabilities and knowledge, but as I’ve always been motivated by new challenges, this didn’t present me with any major problems. Since then, I’ve developed my accounting skills and my role has become more varied, which I really enjoy. I’m involved in preparing accounts for our larger clients, working on audits, and advising clients on how they can improve their record-keeping, to help them save time and manage their accounting costs too. Working at Harold Sharp has provided several benefits over working within a larger firm. Everyone pulls together to do a good job, so there is always support and help when I need it. Students are given lots of encouragement and support, too. Unlike other firms, study leave is respected, so work matters never interrupt me when I’m focused on my studying. I also think it’s great that the firm encourages everyone to get involved with a range of accounting services. This means that our clients’ business issues help me put my theoretical knowledge into practice. Having successfully completed my AAT studies, my next goal is to qualify by the time I am twenty-three. It’s too early for me to know which direction I’d like to go in, though I’d be interested in tax specialisation in the future. As I’m still young, the future holds many opportunities for me, and I’m confident that Harold Sharp has given me a head start to my accounting career.

• Debbie Dore :: PAYROLL MANAGER

  I joined Harold Sharp in 1995, following a ten-year maternity break, having previously spent ten years working in banking. Towards the end of this time, I felt the emphasis was shifting from providing a service to selling products, so I decided a career change was needed. I came to Harold Sharp as a Bookkeeping and Payroll Assistant and I am now the Payroll Manager, with my own portfolio of bookkeeping clients. I feel so lucky to be able to look forward to coming to work every day. The work is varied and interesting and I especially enjoy being able to help clients solve their bookkeeping problems. I’ve always felt that as we spend approximately a third of our lives at work it is important to make the working environment as pleasant as possible. This is very easy to achieve at Harold Sharp. The atmosphere is relaxed yet hard working. Everyone is so friendly and helpful, and we all work together in one big team as well as in our smaller specialised groups. We each have something to offer and no one is hesitant to ask for assistance from anyone else. When I joined the firm, we worked from a modest office in Urmston. In the past thirteen years, there have been lots of changes and we’re now established in larger offices in Sale. It’s great to see both the firm and many of the employees grow, but I’m also very pleased we’ve kept our focus on service to clients and having a supportive work environment.

• Yusuf Laher :: ACCOUNTANT

  I joined the firm in 2006 as a qualified accountant, having worked in practice and industry. From the first day, I was made to feel welcome and quickly became part of the team. Acceptance and support are very much of the firm’s culture, which is great, because everyone is motivated to do their best and see their colleagues do well, too. I specialise in accounting and auditing services for the firm’s clients, including AIM-listed companies. For me, the best part of the work is the diversity. I might be working with a start-up one day, and the next, I’m assisting a larger business on an audit. As a result, I’ve gained a much deeper understanding of how businesses really work. It’s exciting to see our clients become successful and I enjoy using my knowledge of business issues to add value to the service I provide to other clients. The firm has a great social life, so as well as working hard, we like to play hard too. There are plenty of events to get involved in, including kicking a ball around a 5 a-side pitch on Monday nights. I think it’s important to have the chance to relax with colleagues, and the emphasis on maintaining the firm’s “family-like” attitude is apparent to everyone who works in the firm. My ambition is to realise my full potential as an accountant, and I can achieve this at Harold Sharp because of the opportunities and career progression on offer. From an early age, I was keen to pursue a career in accountancy, so I’m aiming to become a partner one day.