In the latest instalment of our popular Meet the Team series, we’ve been chatting to Nicola Adams, Director RI in our Audit team. Nicola joined BHP after leaving school in 2007 and became a Chartered Accountant in 2012 on the completion of her AAT qualification. She’s now a valuable member of our specialist Charities and Academies teams. Read our interview:
What does your day-to-day role involve?
I manage a portfolio of charity and not-for profit clients from planning to completion. I’m also in charge of a team, overseeing fieldwork and ensuring the required standard of work is met. My daily tasks involve communicating with clients, reviewing audit files, training, and coaching staff.
What do you enjoy most about your job?
Both the people I work with, and the team culture, are top of what makes work enjoyable. Everyone enjoys their roles and works together to achieve common goals. I also really enjoy my specialism in the charity sector, learning about how organisations are providing public benefit and how my role can help with managing their organisation.
What is your proudest moment in your career so far?
Definitely my promotion to Director RI last year! Being a registered Responsible Individual with the ICAEW now means I can sign off audit reports on behalf of BHP. I’ve always wanted to achieve this career milestone and I’m very proud to have reached it.
Where did you grow up?
I was born and bred in Chesterfield and attended local schools before joining BHP as a sixth form school leaver.
What did you want to be when you were growing up?
I always wanted to be a PE teacher – much different to my current role! I always enjoyed maths but liked the idea of keeping fit while working, too.
If you could learn something new and money was no object, what would it be?
I’d love to be able to play the saxophone. We had a saxophonist at our wedding last year and she was fantastic. Songs can be from any era and range from romantic to pop to Ibiza classics.
What item can’t you live without?
I’m not sure if this comes under ‘item’ but if someone told me tomorrow that cheese was no longer going to exist, I would be devastated! I couldn’t live with cheese-less pizza, crackers, toast, jacket potatoes…. the list goes on!
What do you prefer – a TV series, book, or film? What are your favourites?
I enjoy watching true crime or a drama on TV. Something that gets your brain thinking and hooks you in. One of my recent favourites has been Lupin on Netflix. If you haven’t watched it, I would highly recommend!
Where is the best place you have ever visited and why?
I once drove Route 66 in America over a period of three weeks. It was such a great experience, visiting a variety of different places and getting to see some beautiful scenery. Some of the best places along the route were Chicago, Denver and Las Vegas. Each state could be so different even though not far away in distance.
If you weren’t working for BHP, what would be your dream job?
I’d say a luxury holiday reviewer. Getting paid to travel the world and stay in luxury hotels sounds like bliss. Especially to countries with hotter climates than the UK!
