Michelle Ferris at Albert Goodman: IWD 2023

What is your role and what could you tell us about the day-to-day duties of your job?

I’m Head of Charities at Albert Goodman, as well as being an audit partner. My day-to-day job involves assisting charities – which ranges from helping new charitable organisations get through the registration process, advising on governance processes and financial procedures and the more compliance focused side such as reviewing and signing off charity audits and independent examinations. 

I also head our charities team, which involves keeping my team and our clients up to date with legislative and sector updates, as well as being responsible for internal compliance for the sector. 

How long have you been in the accountancy industry, and can you tell us more about your career path leading to your current position?

I’ve been an accountant since leaving education almost 17 years ago, and joined the profession as an audit trainee, working with a variety of different businesses and charities. It was whilst developing my audit career that I realised that I really liked working with charities. I was then very lucky to work directly with a couple of partners at a young age, and they encouraged me to develop the specialism and my passion, which lead to me creating Albert Goodman’s first fully focused charity team, and I was made a partner to head up the team in 2021.

What first attracted you to a career in this sector?

Despite having a degree in meteorology (yes, the weather!), I was attracted to the idea of accountancy from a reasonably young age – I’ve always been quite analytical in the way that I think. Once I started working with charities, I realised that it fulfilled a real desire in me to make a difference – as an auditor you can be incredibly valuable and helpful to your clients but it’s hard to help a wider audience. With charities I get to help organisations to get their financial processes and systems in line, leaving them free to help others and that’s the bit that really motivates me. 

Have you faced any challenges or barriers in your career due to being a woman? How did you overcome these?

Every woman has a story to tell and it’s still a topic that so many women will experience so differently, but for me, many of my challenges or barriers were self-imposed by my view of society. I still worry occasionally about the fact that I only manage the school pick up once a week, but I have to reframe that to the benefit that my kids are very used to seeing the female in their family be the main wage earner, and that my husband is their primary care giver and that by setting that example for them, we’re helping to break down the stereotypes that children are exposed to.

What is your proudest accomplishment in your career?

Being made a partner in my 30’s with two children at primary school. For me it’s not about the power or the title – it’s about being able to influence a firm that I’m so proud to be part of and being able to be a voice for others. I’m a big believer that things are far easier to achieve if you can see them and if I can set the example to just one more person that it’s possible to do what makes you happy (which doesn’t need to be career driven), that’s enough for me. 

Do you believe the industry has made progress when it comes to equal opportunities for women? 

I think that depends on who you speak to. Things have undoubtably moved forward in the time that I’ve been in the profession, but so much is dependent on the people in control. I’m incredibly lucky at Albert Goodman that we have a gender and age diverse partnership board, and I’m really proud of the steps forward that we achieve every day and the example that this sets, but I often speak to others who aren’t that fortunate and are subject to stereotypes and perceptions that stop them achieving their potential.

What change, if any, would you like to see for women in finance in the future?

Provision of childcare and wider consideration of caring responsibilities can be a big issue. If you have caring responsibilities at a young age, the cost of assistance can be hugely prohibitive in encouraging people back to work – it simply isn’t financially viable for some and that can’t be right.

In what ways could more women be encouraged to pursue a career in accountancy? 

I’d like to see more jobs aimed at women who want to return to work after caring responsibilities, whether that’s through part time working, flexibility of studying or simply breaking down the idea that entry level training contracts have to be for graduates.

Which woman is a particular inspiration to you, be that in accountancy or beyond?

I have several mentors who wouldn’t describe themselves as that but have provided incredible wisdom and guidance to me across the years, whom I can’t thank enough. 

In the wider world, I have a huge amount of respect and admiration for Michelle Obama, who took her version of a First Lady to the White House and pushed back against all stereotypes thrown at her to do some remarkable things during her time there and since. If I can handle one tenth of her issues with one tenth of her grace, I’ll be happy!

What is the best piece of advice you have ever received?

“No-one can change your life but you.” It’s simple but to the point – we can control so much more than we think we can and taking back control gives you your best shot at success – whatever that success means to you. 

What message would you give women who wish to pursue a career in the accountancy sector?

Don’t be afraid to push yourself outside your comfort zone sometimes – I’m an advocate for needing to feel the fear and do it anyway. Feeling an imposter is a big problem for women in particular, and sometimes just acknowledging that feeling and choosing to push through is the scariest but most valuable thing you can do, for yourself as much as anything else!