DARREN BENHAM

Drawn to the technical side

“I was always drawn to the technical side of the role early on. During my training contract, I found myself more interested in understanding the ‘why’ behind the numbers rather than just producing them.

That naturally led me towards roles that offered more exposure to financial reporting and audit technical work. It’s an area where you’re constantly learning, and that’s what’s kept me interested.

In many ways, the partners and staff are my clients. My role is to support them in dealing with technical challenges and making sure they have clear, practical answers.

I draw on my own experience as an audit manager, along with time spent in education and training, to help translate complex standards into something that can actually be applied in practice. It’s not just about knowing the rules, it’s about making them workable.”

Variety is what keeps things interesting

“One of the best things about the role is the variety. I’m exposed to a wide range of clients and industries through the teams I support, and every situation is different.

There’s no single type of problem. It could be a complex financial instrument one day or a disclosure issue the next. That variety keeps things interesting and means you’re always learning.”

Independent learning is critical

“One of the biggest challenges is keeping up with regulatory and technical change. Standards are constantly evolving, and it can be difficult to stay on top of everything.

Formal training is important, but a lot of it comes down to independent learning. You have to be willing to put the time in, ask questions and keep building your knowledge. Thankfully, we are given the time to conduct that research, so we are keeping partners informed on what’s coming next.”

Relationships built on honesty

“Being honest is key. If you don’t know something, say it, then go and find the answer.

People value that more than pretending to have everything figured out. It builds trust and means you can focus on getting to the right outcome.

It’s also important to remember that when deadlines are tight, everyone is under pressure. Taking a step back and showing a bit of empathy can make a big difference.”

Solving problems that matter

“The most satisfying part of the role is finding solutions. Whether that’s helping a team work through a complex issue or supporting a partner with a new standard, it’s about getting to a clear answer.

Recently, we’ve been working closely with teams to prepare for updates to FRS 102, particularly around leasing and revenue recognition. That kind of work has a real impact on how clients report and understand their numbers.

There’s a common perception that accounting is repetitive or boring, but that hasn’t been my experience at all.

I never know what I’m going to be dealing with day to day. Every issue is different, and a lot of the role involves problem-solving and working with people.”

A culture of doing things properly

“What stands out is that everyone wants to do a great job. There’s a real focus on quality and doing things properly, without taking shortcuts.

Being part of that kind of environment makes a difference. It pushes you to keep improving and to deliver the best possible outcome.”

Looking ahead

“There’s a lot more to explore, particularly around areas like AI in audit, data and statistics, and continuing to build on my IFRS expertise.

It’s about keeping that mindset of learning, asking questions and finding better ways to do things as the role continues to evolve.”