Joe Vera-Sanso

Career history

I previously worked for a national fuel poverty and energy efficiency charity as a grant specialist and management accountant. This involved writing technical bids, preparing multimillion pound project budgets and project accounting. I joined Clive Owen LLP in 2023.

Qualifications

I have a BSc in Politics & Philosophy from the London School of Economics and Political Science and a Master’s in Research Methods from Durham University. Accounting-wise, I have completed CIMA’s Certificate in Business Accounting and the Operational level of CIMA’s Professional Qualification.

Experience and expertise

4 years’ experience developing complex bids and multimillion pound budgets for programmes funded by some of the UK’s largest energy suppliers. Developing forecasting tools for budgeting and delivering projects. Project accounting including subcontractor management and providing analysis to funders.

Professional memberships/directorships

CIMA student

Career highlights

Helping to deliver a complex project financial report to a difficult funder and complete project accounting. Funding the work of a charity and delivering help for fuel poor households. Helping businesses get grants and support to grow.

Did you always want to be an accountant?

My original plan out of university was to become an academic specialising in elections! After deciding against torturing myself through a PhD I took a job at a national charity starting out in grant writing. I enjoying the budgeting side of it enough to move into accounting within the charity and began studying CIMA. I missed the client-focused aspect of my role in grant writing so moving to Clive Owen was the perfect combination of grant work, client focus and accountancy!

Hobbies and interests

I like to read, cycle and watch films from Star Wars to arthouse stuff. Having recently bought a house DIY has become a hobby whether I like it or not (thankfully I do!). I’ve also got a very hungry cat who occupies my time.