NEIL MULLEN - Managing Director at chartered accountancy firm Mullen Stoker,based at Mandale Business Park in Durham.
Did you always envisage a career in the industry?
Pretty much, yes. When I left school, I had such a good bunch of friends, friends that I’m still close to now, and didn’t want to leave them to go off to university. When I told my dad that I didn’t want to go he wasn’t happy, but eventually agreed on the condition I got myself a job. I knew manual work wasn’t for me, but I was good with my head and numbers, so I wrote letters to local banks and accountants to see if there were any jobs going. I was lucky to get an interview with a local firm and the boss said if I passed my A Levels, the job was mine. I ended up being there for 18 years until I started Mullen Stoker with Gary Stoker.
What has been your career path so far?
When I started working, I really struggled with the ACCA exams. The practical side was fine, I excelled at that, but just couldn’t pass the exams for the job. My boss gave me a bit of a kick up the bum and told me if I didn’t pass them, I needed to think about whether I was in the right career. I eventually passed, although it did take me until I was about 24. I must have been doing something right though as he made me a partner in the firm at the age of 29! As the business grew, I sat the Institute for Chartered Accountants’ exams, which put the firm in a much stronger position to grow.
How have you been helping clients throughout the coronavirus crisis?
Throughout the pandemic we’ve kept our communications channels open so our clients have been kept up to date about announcements and developments that have impacted them and their business. Many of the businesses we work with were forced to furlough staff so being kept up to speed with financial information was vital – this was such a new thing for all of us and the feedback we got from clients was that they really appreciated us keeping in touch with them. It’s also fair to say that we won new clients during the pandemic because of the open and transparent approach we were taking – while some firms had gone off the radar, we were always available and as a result people were happy to recommend us.
Who do you most respect in your industry?
I have to say my colleague Steve Hutton – he was my business partner back in the old firm and when he retired last year, he joined Mullen Stoker as a consultant. I really do value and respect his opinion and having someone of his experience within the business, especially from a compliance point of view, is invaluable.
Which fictional lawyer would you most like to meet?
Judge Judy or Judge Rinder – do they count as fictional?
What is your greatest strength?
Definitely looking after my team and supporting them in their development. I hope they’d say that too!
What is your biggest weakness?
I beat myself up over small things. If I make any mistakes or get something wrong that I could have prevented, I’ll overthink it. Even when I know that nine times out of ten, I can rectify it. I also put much pressure on myself – I lie awake at night thinking what I need to do even if the deadline isn’t pressing. It’s just the way I am, I want to get things done.
What are your remaining career aspirations?
To support the continued growth of Mullen Stoker. We’ve actually just been contacted about taking on a big chunk of auditing work which will give a big boost to our plans for growth in 2021.
How do you see your industry evolving in the next 10 years’?
The next couple of year are going to be very tough as we try and recover from the coronavirus pandemic. I do believe that many of the smaller firms we support will go, as the increases in tax will hit them so hard. It’s going to be a long road to recovery but hopefully in the next few years we will see the signs that things are picking back up.
