Careers

I joined the firm in August 2015 from University with very limited accountancy experience. I am now a fellow of the ACCA and have progressed through to the role of Director with the firm in the audit department. I am very appreciative of the continued support throughout my career with James Cowper Kreston, both through my studies for my ACCA qualification and thereafter, and for the opportunities that have been and are presented to me to continue to progress and have the ability to challenge myself to learn new things and grow. The availability of managers through to partners of the firm at all times is invaluable and the culture of the firm for continuous development is exciting. I am now responsible for leading audit engagements for a number of clients across various sectors.

Sam Britton - Audit and Assurance Director

I joined James Cowper Kreston as an apprentice straight from school, working in the marketing and business development team. After completing my apprenticeship I went on to study for my CIM diploma in professional marketing whilst still working. I am now a senior marketing manager at the firm managing a range of marketing projects and processes as well as running a variety of events for the firm. The firm have been extremely supportive of my progression by listening to my needs and challenging and pushing me to succeed. During my career I have had the opportunity of advancing my skills through the learning and development opportunities the firm offers which has been a great help in getting to where I am today.

Lizzie Uzzell, Senior Marketing Manager

I joined James Cowper Kreston on the graduate scheme and successfully trained and qualified through the programme. I have received formal and informal support through mentoring from other Partners and a road map programme, which has been extremely valuable for me in my progression through to Partner. During my many years at the firm I have had the opportunity to work with a variety of different clients as well as learning from a range of Partners and staff. I now head up our Accounts and Advisory service line as well as working with many of our audit clients across both the corporate and not for profit sector.

Darren O'Connor, Partner

I started my career with the firm after graduating from university without any previous experience in accounting. I spent just over three years working towards my ACA qualification whilst working full time as part of the audit team. As I was constantly learning, both at work and at college, it was a challenging and rewarding experience and I received constant support and reassurance from the firm throughout. When I achieved my qualification, the firm continued to encourage me; they listened and actively supported my career aspirations. I am now an Audit Manager, with my own portfolio of charity and corporate clients, and am also a line manager supporting students through the start of their career who are in the same position as I was years ago. I am excited to see what the future at James Cowper Kreston will bring.

Lucy Stokes, Manager

I joined with the firm as a Director in Corporate Finance in 2018. I had previously worked in Big 4 in Australia but I was looking for a move to the UK in a role which provided a more meaningful impact instead of being a small part of a larger machine. I made the right move in coming to James Cowper Kreston as it has the right mix of entrepreneurial culture, supportive Partners plus great opportunities for challenging and rewarding client work. There is also a significant focus on learning and continuous development of our staff and Partners throughout the entire firm which I have found very impressive. I progressed to Partner in 2021 and now lead the Transaction Services team working with a variety of private equity, corporate and banking clients.

Brad McAvoy, Partner

I joined James Cowper Kreston in 2017 under the AAT apprenticeship scheme, working within the Audit and Assurance team. I successfully trained and completed both AAT and ACCA to become a chartered accountant.

Post qualification, I have continued gaining experience across a wide range of corporate clients, specialising particularly in group audit engagements, and have recently been promoted to Audit Senior Manager.

I now work out of our Oxford office and have a diverse portfolio of corporate clients across a variety of sectors. I also form part of our specialist Technology team, which includes assisting with both statutory and grant audits.

Sam Smith - Senior Manager

I joined James Cowper Kreston in August 2022 as part of the graduate scheme. For the past 2 years I have been working towards my ACA qualification whilst also working full time. This has been a great way to begin my career in accountancy as I have been able to put into practice what I have learnt during my studies in my day-to-day work.

James Cowper Kreston has supported me in gaining my ACA qualifications by providing time-off to attend college course and exams and all the necessary resources so that in the near future I will become fully qualified as an accountant.

My team and line manager have been a fundamental part in my growth as a trainee accountant. They have allowed me the opportunity to work with a wide range of clients whilst being on hand to support me and answer any questions I have had.

Lucy Cope - Accounts and Advisory Associate

I joined James Cowper Kreston’s subsidiary company, JC Payroll Services, in 2015. Joining straight from school as an apprentice meant I had zero payroll experience. Whilst working full time at JC Payroll I completed my AAT qualification, and later my CIPP degree. I am very grateful of the support JC Payroll have demonstrated throughout my studies to present day. I have now progressed to the role of Payroll Team Leader and manage the team on a wide range of clients, from single director payrolls to large clients with 3000+ headcounts. I look forward to seeing the future of JC Payroll & James Cowper Kreston.

Ben Trivette - Payroll Team Leader