Kay
Rayner

Who I help

Family-owned businesses. Manufacturing. Construction, Residential care homes, and the Entertainment industry. Car dealership

How I help

Audit & Assurance

“Making audits efficient, straightforward, and stress-free for everyone involved”

Kay Rayner is an Audit Senior Manager, based in our Bolton office. With a sharp eye for detail and a calm, methodical approach, she plays a key role in reviewing workloads, managing deadlines, and balancing capacity across the audit team. Kay is involved in every stage of the audit process, from risk assessment and team allocation to ensuring robust planning is in place before work begins.

She’s a trusted mentor to trainees, offering guidance on audit procedures and technical judgements, and is always on hand to support staff working on ongoing jobs. Clients value her approachable style and clear communication. As a consistent point of contact, she builds strong relationships, helps resolve queries quickly, and looks out for opportunities to deliver extra value along the way. Whether it’s keeping a job on track or assisting the wider team to succeed, Kay’s focus is always on providing quality and building trust.

Enjoying the technical side of finance

“After completing my A levels at college, I began my career in banking, having been awarded a position on an accelerated training scheme. I enjoyed the work, but it was the numbers and analysis that interested me. Studying for my banking exams gave me a taste of accountancy, and I quickly realised that was where I wanted to be.

There wasn’t a single lightbulb moment, more of a gradual shift. The more I learned, the more I realised I wanted to gain a deeper understanding of the technical aspects of finance. So, I took the step to leave banking and retrained as a Chartered Accountant. It felt like the right move, same world, different focus.”

Adding value, not just ticking boxes

“Since making that change, I’ve built a solid foundation in audit and accountancy. I understand the technical side, financial reporting, internal controls, and compliance, but I also focus on making things clear and straightforward for clients.

I’m detail-oriented, highly organised, and comfortable with tight deadlines. I take pride in being someone clients can approach with questions, knowing they’ll get a straight, helpful answer.”

Calm in the chaos

“One of the biggest personal challenges I’ve faced has been balancing a busy role while raising a family. There were definite moments when everything landed at once – tight client deadlines, last-minute emails, unexpected meetings, school runs and family commitments. It was a constant juggling act.

What helped me through was being realistic, planning, and staying calm under pressure. I learned to break things down into manageable steps and communicate early with clients and colleagues. Those lessons still shape how I work today, proactive, focused, and always looking for ways to make things smoother. It’s a mindset I pass on to trainees, too, especially those trying to juggle work and study.

I’m organised, level-headed in tough situations, and never lose sight of the bigger picture. I prioritise building trust with both clients and my team. I enjoy supporting junior colleagues and helping them grow. Seeing someone develop and gain confidence because of something I’ve shared is really rewarding.”

Communication comes first

“For me, building strong client relationships begins with one thing: clear and consistent communication. From day one, I focus on setting clear expectations, listening closely, and being upfront about timelines, goals, and any potential obstacles or challenges that may arise.

When clients know you’ll keep them in the loop and deliver on your word, that’s when trust starts to grow. It makes everything else easier.”

Power of working together

“One particular audit stands out in my mind. A long-standing client had increasingly busy work commitments, and their audit information often came in later than ideal. In subsequent years, a group reorganisation introduced additional challenges.

Despite the pressure, we remained close to the client, adapted our approach, and completed the audit ahead of the submission deadline. It took careful planning and a lot of teamwork, but it paid off.

The client was genuinely grateful for our support, and the experience highlighted the importance of being flexible, dependable, and positive under pressure.”