Stephen Knipe, Tax Associate, has been with Qubic for almost three years and with him, he has brought several years of valuable experience to the firm.
Stephen qualified as a member of the Association of Accounting Technicians in 2011 and went on to become an ICAEW Chartered Accountant in 2015, demonstrating his passion for continued learning and development, something which Qubic is also keen to promote within its workforce. He has taken on a high level of responsibility during his time at Qubic and has now been given the opportunity to become increasingly involved in the development of new services alongside the firms Directors and Associate Directors.
Below Stephen explains what a typical day is like for him and he outlines his plans for progression at Qubic.
What does a typical day at Qubic look like for you?
I start the day by checking my emails and prioritising the tasks to be completed in the day. This typically includes addressing client queries by phone and email, progressing my case load and reviewing colleagues work, prior to paperwork being issued. Emphasis is placed on providing a high standard of client care, so it’s vital that matters are communicated with clients in a clear and timely manner.
For lunch, after eating something at my desk or getting something locally, I normally get some fresh air, crossing the Millennium Bridge and Swing Bridge. On the last Friday of the month we enjoy “Food Friday”, when we take it in turns to organise lunch for the office, which is a nice treat to end the month. There are so many options, we rarely order from the same place twice!
After lunch, I’ll continue to progress matters and often have conference calls with clients, their accountants and our Associate Directors. Following these calls, I’ll address any action points and diarise accordingly. Then it’s back to case work and reviews.
What is your favourite thing about working at Qubic?
I enjoy the responsibility that I have over my caseload, which covers a variety of different areas, and get a sense of accomplishment from keeping on top of my workload. I also feel respected and valued by the firm and my colleagues.
What is your least favourite thing about working at Qubic?
Aside from writing this bio… During busy periods, more can be expected in terms of hours, but at the same time, it’s good to see everyone rallying round to get the job done.
What have you gained from your time here so far?
I feel I’ve been given the opportunity to grow in confidence and develop good working relationships with clients and colleagues. We have regular staff meetings, which offers the opportunity to discuss matters and put forward our own ideas and suggestions.
Recently, I’ve also been assisting senior management staff with product development, a new area for me and it’s something that I’ve really enjoyed having an input in!
What are you looking forward to in the future with Qubic?
I want to continue to make progress, whilst maintaining a good work life balance. I also need to ensure that I keep up to date with emerging issues and my ICAEW CPD requirements by reflecting on areas which I need to develop, taking relevant action in this regard and looking at the impact of development actions.