Celebrating Kristina Perry: a new audit Partner
At Carpenter Box, we pride ourselves on celebrating the achievements of our team, and few stories exemplify the journey of growth and dedication like that of Kristina Perry. From trainee to Partner, Kristina has redefined what it means to work in Audit and continues to challenge the perception of the field.
We sat down with Kristina and asked her about her career path to date.
When did you join Carpenter Box and in what role?
“I joined as a trainee in 2012, having gained an accounting and finance degree at the University of Brighton. When I was offered a position in Audit, I thought back to my university course when I actually found the audit module the least interesting, but I was excited by the start of my career and thought that I could probably change direction in the future. But my real-world experience couldn’t have been more different…and now I absolutely love my work in Audit.”
How has your career developed?
“With support from the firm, I gained my ACCA qualification, and this provided the steppingstone to my becoming a Manager, Associate and Client Service Director for the Assurance & Advisory team, and now Partner.
Day-to-day, I hold a position known as a ‘Responsible Individual’ which means I am authorised to sign-off client audit reports. I also lead the internal team that provides technical knowledge across the firm’s accounting and audit functions, which ensures we keep up to date with changes to auditing standards and requirements.”
What parts of the work do you like the most?
“I’m passionate about Audit – it provides lots of business contact on site, and we get to see the success of our clients first hand. As auditors, we learn something new every day from the people we work with…how they manage their businesses, the innovation they employ, and how they are applying technology to drive their companies forward. At the same time, Carpenter Box is also changing with technology. We continuously invest in digitalisation so that we are best placed to provide value adding services to clients.
For me, it’s all about how we look after our clients. It’s the reason why Carpenter Box has grown so strongly over the last decade or so. It gives me a real sense of professional satisfaction to know we are helping to make our clients as successful as they can be, whether as owner managed businesses, multinationals, charities or academies.
I also love seeing how, with the right support, people joining the firm can thrive and prosper. I’ve worked with some fantastic colleagues at Carpenter Box over the years, and I’m grateful for the expertise and experience they have passed on… so I enjoy doing the same.
I’m also a real advocate for Audit more generally. It definitely gets a bad rap as being a bit boring – and I take every opportunity I can to try to change that perception because it couldn’t be further from the truth.”
What will you bring as a Partner?
“As someone who has always lived in the Worthing area, I was aware of the Carpenter Box name from my college days, so to become a Partner is really exciting. From the outset, I’ve always valued the supportive culture at the firm and, as a Partner, I aim to continue to promote that inclusive ethos while at the same time contributing to the firm’s future strategy.”
Life beyond work
Among other things, I’m a passionate supporter of the Manchester United women’s team and spend many weekends travelling the length and breadth of the country with my niece to watch them play.
Kristina’s journey is a testament to how real-world experience, continuous learning, and a supportive workplace culture can transform perceptions and build thriving careers. At Carpenter Box, we’re proud to have her as part of our leadership team, inspiring clients and colleagues alike.
To find out more about a careers at Carpenter Box you can check out our website, or alternatively, you can contact us on 01903 234094.
