Meet BHP Audit Manager Liam Crowe. Liam is based in our Sheffield office and is also a member of our specialist Charities and Academies teams. Read our interview below to find out more about his role at BHP and life outside work.
When did you join BHP?
I joined BHP in June 2023 after relocating from Newcastle. I was at the same firm in Newcastle for 10 years after joining as an AAT apprentice straight after sixth form, so I was slightly nervous to join a new firm in a completely new location. But I settled in quickly. BHP and the team are very welcoming.
What does your day-to-day role involve?
As a manager in the not-for-profit department, my day typically involves reviewing an audit file and catching up with clients, as building relationships is a crucial part of the role. One part of the role I really enjoy is the coaching and training of staff within the department. It’s great to see members of the team consistently growing and improving.
What is the proudest moment of your career so far?
My proudest moment was finishing my ICAEW exams and qualifying as a Chartered Accountant at the end of 2019, which was great timing as it made Christmas 2019 even sweeter.
Have you had any non-accounting jobs before BHP? If so, what was your favourite and why?
My first job as a teenager was as a waiter in a local hotel in Embleton, a small town in Northumberland. I really enjoyed chatting to customers as there were a lot of locals who often returned. However, admittedly, I wasn’t the best waiter – I don’t know how people are able to carry multiple plates on one arm at a time!
Where did you grow up?
I have lived all over England! I was born in Solihull, near Birmingham, and moved to Sutton-on-Sea in Lincolnshire for a couple of years when I was two years old. I then moved back to Solihull after a couple of years. When I was around the age of seven, I moved to Wordsley, which is in the Black Country. My family then moved up to Embleton in Northumberland when I was around the age of 12 – moving from a populated Birmingham to a rural Northumberland was extremely surreal!
I then lived in a few locations around Newcastle and Durham when my two kids were born, before re-locating to Wickersley, Rotherham, which is where I live now. Having a Brummie accent in South Yorkshire often gets me a few strange looks!
What do you enjoy doing outside work?
I have two young children – a daughter called Esme and a son called Frankie – so spending time with them is my favourite thing to do.
I also play football most weeks and I’ve got back into cricket recently, too. Unfortunately, I have grown up as a West Bromwich Albion fan so I’m regularly seen looking rather glum at The Hawthorns. I’m currently in the process of converting my kids to be West Brom fans, too, so they’ll likely curse me when they’re older!
Other than that, I love gardening and I’m often seen dawdling around the garden centre most weekends.
If you could learn something new and money was no object, what would it be?
I’d probably learn a language, maybe Spanish or Portuguese, as I’ve always been interested in visiting South America.
Where is the best place you have ever visited and why?
I haven’t been to many places outside of Europe, but one country I really like is Greece. The people, the weather, the beaches, and the food (of course!) make it my favourite place I’ve visited.
I have added South America to my bucket list and I’ve always wanted to travel to Africa to volunteer to do some football coaching, so ask me again in a few years and my answer may have changed!
