The Hazlewoods Veterinary team is made up of individual people that work together towards a common goal. In these series, we are putting the spotlight on some of them, so you can get to know us better. The fourth person in our series is Associate Director, Michelle Curtis.
What drew you to Hazlewoods originally and what made you continue your career with the firm?
I relocated to the area and did some research on firms who supported trainees through their ACA qualification. I wanted to work in a firm that was big enough to provide me with necessary experience but, more importantly, felt small enough to care about its employees. Hazlewoods seemed to be the perfect fit.
How has the firm changed over the last 15 years?
Since I started 15 years ago, the firm has expanded significantly. Over the years I have seen a grown emphasis on providing support for employees and a strong focus on improving and developing the social aspect of the firm.
What do you enjoy most about your role?
I love working in the Veterinary team as an Associate Director, mainly due to my heavy involvement with training the assistants. This is something that I have done for many years and my range of experience allows me to share tips and advice with those who are new to the firm.
Who has influenced or inspired you when it comes to how you approach your work?
Many people have, but I would have to say that Partner, Mark Beaney has the most. Mark Beaney was the first Hazlewoods partner who I worked for as I qualified, and I continued to do so for many years until his retirement. He supported me and provided advice on how to approach many aspects of my work. He would always encourage a proactive approach rather than a reactive approach, which I have continued with to this day.
What is the best career lesson you have learned so far?
Set realistic expectations from the start and effectively communicate them, so that your clients know what is achievable, especially in terms of timeframes.
What has been your greatest achievement so far?
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, I designed an internal working paper system for the team, which allowed our team to work paperless – this had been a long-term objective for many years.
What is keeping you busy at work?
Generally, client care and emails. However, reviewing VAT and management accounts is a big portion of my workload!
What is new for your clients at the moment?
Making Tax Digital in terms of VAT. I have been investing a lot of time in understanding how the new legislation applies to the Veterinary industry and drafting notes to help assist our clients with the transition and ensure that they are compliant.