Find the right cultural fit

Carol’s passion for new experiences and cultures began in childhood: she spent the first 10 years of her life living across the Middle East with her Indian mother and English father, where she was exposed to different languages and cultures. After returning to the UK for secondary school, she completed a degree in Latin American studies, spending a year in Spain and South America.

Training with KPMG taught Carol the importance of finding the right cultural fit. “There was a great level of camaraderie. People came from different backgrounds – law, languages, even zoology – but we all shared the same drive and determination.” That support helped Carol juggle the demands of studying and exams with work – especially as she had decided to learn Arabic at the same time. “I’d describe the ACA as rigorous but rewarding,” she says. “I love learning – and I embraced it.”

‘Mistakes’ are just lessons in disguise

Once qualified, and after six years at KPMG and a stint in a project team, Carol moved into industry - a leap that didn’t go as planned. “The culture just wasn’t the fit for me,” she explains. 

At the time, making a ‘mistake’ felt like a setback. “At that age, you feel like CV is everything,” she says. It was a conversation with her brother that changed her perspective. “He said, ‘You spend so much time at work, your happiness is everything. If you’re not going to be happy there, you need to explore new opportunities.’ 

“Avoid making decisions based on other people’s opinions or perceptions. The move wasn’t detrimental to my career; instead, it was a great experience, providing valuable lessons that shaped my journey.”

Find work that motivates you

Later on in Carol’s career, another turning point came when she was made redundant during the first Covid lockdown in 2020. After some time at home with her two children, she spotted the CFO role at Bruce’s Doggy Day Care on LinkedIn. 

“The first thing that appealed about the role is it was at a private equity backed business, something I’d tried to get into before,” she says. She also instantly recognised the brand: a Bruce’s Doggy Day Care driver lived practically next door. “I went to meet the founder, and it just felt like a great fit. I grew up with dogs, so it was a really nice joining of two passions.”

There’s a lot to love about her latest role, not least the opportunity to get involved with all aspects of the business and implement change quickly. “I’d never have been exposed to what I deal with now in one of those bigger businesses at this level,” she says. “It’s a really great opportunity to combine my professional skills with the fast-paced environment that I thrive in – and it’s truly fast paced. Nothing can prepare you for the intensity of private equity, and working in a small business with really high growth potential, although it’s incredibly rewarding.”

Business is all about the people

“Everyone’s got the same drive. We want to grow the business, but safety – dog and human – is always paramount,” Carol says. “We’re essentially a children’s nursery but for dogs, so the impact we can have on a family’s life is really meaningful, which is amazing to be a part of.” The family feel runs throughout: “Our leadership team is of a similar age, some with kids of a similar age, so there’s a real understanding of having responsibilities at home.”

Bruce’s is also a predominantly female business, but its success is less about gender and more about diversity in general, Carol believes. “Having a balance of diversity is great for all businesses,” she says. “Businesses don’t evolve without having diversity of thought, background and experience.” 

The progress towards greater diversity and inclusion is one she’s witnessed in the wider profession over the past 20 years. “The evolving landscape of business demands a workforce with a broader range of perspectives and skills, which has and will continue to make accountancy more accessible and attractive to a diverse pool of talent.”

Seize opportunities for professional growth

When she looks back over the last 20 years, the thing Carol is most proud of is her breadth of experience. “I’ve actively looked for less traditional finance roles, focusing on strategic partnerships,” she explains. “I’m proud of the opportunities I’ve pursued and the great places they’ve led me. I think they’ve shaped me as a person, not just in my profession.”

At Bruce’s, all those different experiences have come together. In the four-and-a-half years she’s been there, the business has grown from two sites to 10, and revenue has increased six-fold. “Over the past four years, I’ve undertaken various transformative initiatives, including leading on acquisitions and an equity raise. Those opportunities have offered invaluable hands-on experience and are perhaps less common in a traditional career path,” she says. “Weaving together these experiences has allowed me to carve out a clear and impactful path, allowing me to create meaningful and lasting change within a business.”

Carol’s advice for today’s ACA students is very much borne out of her own experience. “Take opportunities when they come, but make sure they’re the right ones for you,” she says. “Passion is key to success. It’s about taking the time to explore and discover what truly excites you and immersing yourself in it. If you’re passionate about what you do or the business that you work for, the day-to-day transforms into a source of drive and enjoyment. You can’t beat that. 

“Stay curious and open-minded. Ask all the questions and explore all the opportunities. And remember that every experience along the way – positive or challenging – contributes significantly to both your personal and professional growth.”

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