It all adds up for law firm’s recruits to finance team

Jan 16 2008 by Iain Laing, The Journal

LAW firm Crutes has recruited two new members to its finance team in order to manage the North-East firm’s growing accountancy requirements.

Doug Reid has joined Crutes as finance manager, and is joined by Paul Joisce, who has been appointed as the firm’s financial accountant.

Doug, who arrives fresh from three years with chemical firm Huntsman, will head the eight-strong finance team at Crutes’ Newcastle office.

He is responsible for producing the firm’s monthly management accounts, annual accounts, producing and analysing budgets and serving the firm’s overall finance needs.

Doug has worked mainly in industry since graduating from Stirling University in 1996 and is ACCA qualified.

He said: “I was attracted to Crutes by the challenging role. I felt I had all the skills and experience needed to do the job.

“The finance team are committed and enthusiastic, so I am looking forward to taking the department forward and delivering what the business needs.”

Paul, 26, from Ponteland, graduated from Northumbria University in 2002 with a degree in accountancy and is ACCA part-qualified.

He previously worked in private practice with Robson Laidler, and then as the accounts manager for an oils seals manufacturer in Ashington.

He says he was attracted to Crutes by the opportunity to gain experience in the service sector.

Paul explains: “My previous role was more cost-based, dealing hands on with material purchasing and the supply of product to an expanding industry. Now I am gaining experience in a reporting role, which is fee-income based, so it is quite different. I am looking forward to gaining experience in the service sector.” Crutes is currently one of the top five law firms in the North-East, with offices in Newcastle, Teesside and Carlisle. Over the next three years, it aims to close the gap on the top three law firms in the region, continuing its expansion into business services and private client law. Tim Robinson, commercial director at Crutes, said: “In the last two years, Crutes has invested heavily to get the right people in place across all areas of the business.

“This includes investing in the key support areas that are crucial to a successful law firm – such as finance, marketing and IT.

“Doug and Paul are joining us at an exciting time and their experience will be crucial to our ongoing growth and success as a business.”