Why I Work In… is a regular feature, kindly sponsored by Huddersfield-based recruitment firm Stafflex, where we ask people about their jobs and the industry they work in. This time it’s CHRIS LANGRICK, Managing Director at Langricks Chartered Accountants in Holmfirth.
Tell us a bit about Langricks Chartered Accountants.
My wife Camilla and I founded our accountancy practice in 2009. I had always wanted to own and run my own business at some point after qualifying as a Chartered Accountant.
Our ethos has always been driven from an advisory outlook on seeing how we can support and advise businesses with their growth.
Fast forward 15 years and we now have a team of over 30 staff across two offices – Holmfirth and Wilmslow – and we offer a wide range of services from accounts and tax compliance to assisting business prepare for sale, audit and specialist tax work.
What is your role?
As the Founder and Managing Director I enjoy thinking strategically both for our business and for that of our clients.
I spend many hours working out what our next steps will be and how we can achieve our ambitious goals.
I also enjoy advising clients generally – talking, understanding their challenges, assisting with strategies to help with a happy retirement and I particularly enjoy my specialism in preparing businesses for sale and advising shareholders through the sale process.
How long have you worked as an Accountant?
I started my accountancy career in 1997, after my A-Levels and I qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 2002 shortly before doing a ski season where I met Camilla.
After this I joined KPMG in Leeds and where I worked in the Transaction Services team, giving me an insight into mergers and acquisitions.
What advice would you give someone who wanted to either start a career in accountancy and/or set up their own business?
Accountancy is a fantastic career, with so many varied options – 20% of FTSE 100 CEOs are Chartered Accountants.
The variety is something that I love – everyday is different. Setting up our own business has really helped strengthen the advice that we give. I mentor our team to see life from the client’s perspective.
If you could describe your job in three words, what would they be?
Challenging, intense, fulfilling.
What do you love most about your job?
Talking to business owners, sharing ideas and working with our fantastic team to keep moving our business forward.
What word would your colleagues use to describe you?
Focused.
Where do you hope your career might take you?
To create a top 100 accountancy firm, if I don’t run out of energy!
If someone is reading this and wants to work for you, what should they do?
Drop us a line with a copy of your CV to info@langricks.com
