The view from Claire Dalrymple FCCA

I started in an accountancy firm at the age of 17 as a trainee, first studying with AAT, then with ACCA. I didn’t want to go to university ­– I wanted to study and learn how the job worked at the same time.

I currently work in a practice of 11 partners and we cover a wide range of disciplines. These include audit, internal audit, tax, business services and insolvency. We have a wide portfolio of clients, from SMEs to housing associations, charities and education providers.

My key interest is working within the food manufacturing space. I’m based in the audit team. They are a great team of people, comprising four managers and around 25 staff.

We are a training firm, and I really enjoy working with the students and seeing them progress. I also enjoy going that extra mile for my clients. I like to really get to know them, and I build good relationships so they feel supported and can rely on me to help them.

When I started my career, my intention was to gain my ACCA Qualification and then become a manager. I never thought about obtaining a Responsible Individual licence or becoming a partner. But an opportunity arose a couple of years ago that has allowed me to achieve both these things. The process was not easy, but there was a real sense of achievement the day I got confirmation that my RI licence had been approved.

The most pressing issue for many in audit today is the increase in the amount of compliance regulations and the associated recording within audit files. Also, there is currently a shortage of candidates for the audit roles that we are offering within our firm – recruitment has become tough.

I once thought I would have liked to have been an accounts teacher if I hadn’t been an accountant. However, as I have got older I’ve felt I would definitely liked to have been an events organiser for weddings, parties, etc.

Outside of work, I do a lot of walking, and socialising with friends and family. I also have two kids who keep me very busy.