Phillipa Symington

Career History/Qualifications –

In 2004 I started my three-year audit traineeship at Grant Thornton South Africa and qualified as a Chartered Accountant (South Africa). I continued with Grant Thornton after my traineeship and joined the partnership as a Partner in 2008. At this time, I also gained my Registered Auditor (South Africa) with the Independent Regulatory Board for Auditors. In 2018, after 10 years as a partner, my family and I made the move from South Africa to the United Kingdom, where I joined KPMG as an Audit Director in February 2019 as part of the Private Enterprise division. In 2021 I diversified my portfolio by moving on an internal secondment within KPMG to the Department of Professional Practice focusing on private enterprise audits technical, compliance and audit quality.

I joined Clive Owen LLP York Office as an Audit Partner on 1 August 2022.

Qualifications –

CA (SA), ACA, RI, CA

Experience and expertise –

My career has always had a focus on owner managed businesses, and I have been responsible for audits across a number of sectors, including manufacturing, retail, professional services, pharmaceutical, pension funds, leisure and hospitality, technology and communication, property / rental companies. I have always believed that the best part of the audit is understanding the business, how it works, the risks, strategies and the story behind how it got here today, and this passion has grown over the years as I have worked with various owner managed businesses.

My experience has meant that I will be involved in the internal technical and compliance team, ensuring that we deliver quality audits, that meet the Auditing Standards, but are also efficient and effective, ensuring that we do the right work based on the risk of material misstatement.

Professional memberships/directorships –

ICAEW

ICAS

SAICA

Career Highlights –

I became partner in South Africa at a very early age and this was definitely a career highlight, especially when I could see how proud my parents were.

Did you always want to be an accountant –

At first I couldn’t decide between radiology and audit, but audit clearly won.

Hobbies and Interests –

I really enjoy going for a walk (I don’t run), I find it relaxing and the UK is absolutely beautiful. I am often accompanied by my children and one or two of our many dogs.