In a new series of features we showcase some of the regions leading accountants. This month we kick off with Cyd Smith, owner of CS Accounting.
What is your name and what is your current role?
My name is Cyd Smith and my title is director of CS Accounting Limited, although, my role ranges from really clever accounting stuff to the washing up. We work with small businesses, so no two days are the same and the work is certainly varied.
Did you always envisage a career in the industry?
No, I didnt. It was the school careers advice who pointed me in this direction. I was always good at maths, so they suggested a career in either accountancy or banking. When I went for the interviews, accounting sounded much more varied and I found a practice straight away that was looking for a trainee, so everything just fell into place in a short period of time. However, given free range, I would have liked to have done something in fashion. When I was not doing homework from school, I was sewing. I always had the latest copy of Vogue magazine and I would adapt patterns, so I always had the latest couturier look.
What has been your career path so far?
I started my training with a small practice in Sunderland, which meant I learnt all aspects of accounting. However, following a change of partner in the practice, I couldnt wait to leave and I went to work in industry, where I got What is your name and what is your current role?
My name is Cyd Smith and my title is director of CS Accounting Limited, although, my role ranges from really clever accounting stuff to the washing up. We work with small businesses, so no two days are the same and the work is certainly varied.
Did you always envisage a career in the industry?
No, I didnt. It was the school careers advice who pointed me in this direction. I was always good at maths, so they suggested a career in either accountancy or banking. When
I went for the interviews, accounting sounded much more varied and I found a practice straight away that was looking for a trainee, so everything just fell into place in a short
period of time. However, given free range, I would have liked to have done something in fashion. When I was not doing homework from school, I was sewing. I always had the latest copy of Vogue magazine and I would adapt patterns, so I always had the latest couturier look.
What has been your career path so far?
I started my training with a small practice in Sunderland, which meant I learnt all aspects of accounting. However following a change of partner in the practice, I couldnt wait to leave and I went to work in industry, where I got involved in running the type of businesses I had previously been preparing accounts for. For some time, I worked as
a temp, which saw me doing anything from auditing for one of the big four accountancy practices, to sorting out a purchase ledger for an international manufacturer. The
thing about temping, is that you are invariably called in because there is a problem and I love sorting things out and putting them right. While the kids were young, I worked part time in industry, and in 1992, I got the chance to set up my own practice, which just grew gradually and mostly by recommendation.
