BUSINESS
In 2021, Barry Carden is celebrating 15 years as the Founder and Managing Partner of Cardens Accountants and Business Advisors. In recognition of this milestone, he reflects on his career and the takeaways that he can now share with others, from establishing the firm to maintaining growth over the years
15 YEARS AND COUNTING WITH BARRY CARDEN A-LEVELS TO PARTNER
“I qualified as an accountant at 23, having spent five years working for a small accountancy practice in Hove which I joined straight after college. Due to the size of the firm, the role provided great client exposure at a very early stage of my career. “From there, I took the decision to move to a larger multi-Partner firm in Eastbourne to gain more exposure to larger clients and improve my technical experience. “Five years later I was approached to join a multi-office accountancy practice closer to home that was undergoing a merger. The merger did not go smoothly, but after working hard to re-establish the firm, I moved to salaried Partner then equity Partner.
Spending time to ❛❛ understand clients,
rather than just focus on what we do as accountants, has been an invaluable lesson in business ❜❜ 54
FOUNDING CARDENS ACCOUNTANTS
“After five years as an Equity Partner, I thought I could create a better future by running that office as its own firm. So, 15 years ago, Cardens Accountants was formed with the same team of eight – some of whom are still with us today. “The decision was my drive to grow the firm and allowed extra time to spend
on business development. I had been lucky enough to have NLP training with my previous firm. Whilst this was not a direct accounting qualification, I would highly recommend it for improving self-awareness, listening skills, and creating empathy with clients. Spending time to understand clients, rather than just focus on what we do as accountants, has been an invaluable lesson in business.”
