FOUNDER – GORINGE ACCOUNANTS

Empowering and Encouraging Women in Finance: an interview with Nicky Goringe Larkin of Goringe Accountants

Nicky Goringe Larkin is the founder of an award winning successful mid-sized accountancy, tax and audit practice in Reading. She works with business owners to help grow their businesses and increase profitability.

How did you get into this? Did you train straight out of school/Uni or was it a more roundabout journey?

At an early age I knew that I wanted to work in a field which combined my mathematical skillset with advising and talking with people. Accountancy fitted the requirement, and after a school two week placement in my fourth year in the Finance Department of Wincanton Group, I knew that accountancy was the field for me. I continued working for Wincanton in my holidays up until I went to university where I studied Business Studies with Combined Sciences. My degree included a work placement year, which I spent in the Corporate Finance department of Intel, which confirmed to me that accountancy was the right field for me. I was very lucky as I had a fantastic start to my career by getting onto a new graduate place at Bechtel on their graduate trainee scheme where I combined my work with studying for my CIMA exams.

Can you explain what a typical day for you might be?

After dropping off my five year old at school I arrive at the office. We try to start off the day with a team huddle, to check that all the work that has come in is assigned, deadlines are met, to see what everyone is prioritising for the day and who needs assistance.

What’s your experience from a women’s point of view. Would you say it is a good job for a woman?

I think it is a good job for women and men. I think the best accountants are the ones that can explain the difficult accountancy or tax concepts in layman’s terms to their clients, which I try to do. Therefore, having great communication and listening skills are essential.

What would your advice be to someone thinking of entering this profession?

Get some work experience as early as possible to ensure that you enjoy it.

What’s your best financial advice for any woman?

Find something you enjoy and then you will never work a day in your life.