Meet the team

Simon Close FCA - Managing Partner

Simon Close FCA Managing Partner

Simon became Managing Partner of the practice in April 2003 and as such took on overall responsibility for all practice clients.

Simon became one of the youngest qualified Chartered Accountants when he qualified with Coopers & Lybrand at the age of 23. He went on to be involved in some major projects such as the pre-privatisation audit of British Steel.

Simon's portfolio of clients is varied, including companies in the manufacturing, production, leisure and service sectors.

Simon is particularly involved in advising owner-managed businesses and has recently been involved in a significant number of company reconstruction projects.

You can contact him at simon@censis.co.uk

Peter Oliver - Practice Partner

Peter Oliver Practice Partner

Peter is a Founder Partner and is responsible for a mixed client base of owner managed and family businesses, primarily in the Civil Engineering & Construction sector and Restaurants & related sectors.  He provides the client with a hands on approach to business problems.

As Practice Partner Peter is responsible for the day to day running of the practice including all staff issues.

He is married with three children.  Outside of work and family he enjoys all sports but mainly football albeit watching now that his playing days are over.  He celebrated his 40th birthday several years ago by walking up Mount Kilimanjaro.

You can contact him at peter@censis.co.uk

Karen Harrison BA (Hons) FCA CTA - Audit/Tax Partner

Karen Harrison BA (Hons) BFP FCA CTA  Audit/Tax Partner

Karen joined the practice as a Business Studies honours graduate in 1992 and qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 1994 coming 6th in the Northern Society's Order of Merit. She went on to become the practice's audit/tax manager and successfully completed the Chartered Institute of Taxation final examinations in 1996, becoming a Chartered Tax Advisor (CTA) and being appointed as an associate in 1998, and a partner in 2005. Karen became a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales in 2006 (FCA) and a designated ICAEW Business and Finance Professional (BFP) in 2018.

Karen is the Senior Statutory Auditor for audit assignments carried out by the practice in industry sectors ranging from heavy duty manufacturing through to charities. Karen’s role as Audit Partner also entails ensuring that the practice’s audit procedures are kept up to date with new legislation. Karen is also involved with corporate tax compliance and planning for the practice’s larger incorporated clients, and offers assistance with their IT needs, including training and improvement of internal management reporting systems, and the implementation of cloud based reporting accounting systems.

As Tax Partner Karen is also concerned with Income, Capital and Inheritance Tax planning for higher net worth individuals both on an annual and ad hoc basis.

You can contact her at karen@censis.co.uk

Salaam Shaheen FCCA - Associate

Salaam Shaheen FCCA Partner

Salaam joined the practice in October 2000 having completed his A levels. He went on to qualify as an accounting technician in 2003 and continued with his studies to become a qualified Chartered Certified Accountant in July 2005, at which point he became an account manager.  Salaam’s progression resulted in him becoming a Partner in February 2013.

Salaam has built up a diverse range of clients and takes a keen interest in assisting new start ups in all aspects of getting their business up and running, including the provision of one to one software training and the setting up of internal control procedures.

Salaam now takes a lead role in the major audit work undertaken by the practice. He organises and heads the audit team.

Given Salaam’s pro-active nature, he has a successful record of meeting and introducing new clients into the practice and has been integral to the continued growth of the business throughout his time with Censis.

You contact him at salaam@censis.co.uk

Anna Palmer MAAT ACCA

Anna Palmer MAAT FCCA Associate

Anna was appointed as an Associate on 1st January 2022. Anna is a Fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants, having completed all of her professional qualifications since joining Censis in 2004 after leaving school at 18.

Anna is involved in the audit of companies within the manufacturing sector and in managing a large portfolio of clients of all sizes in multiple industry sectors; she also provides one to one in house training on all aspects of the Sage range of accounting software products.

Anna prides herself in offering in depth support to our clients and assisting them in the day to day running of their business and their understanding of their obligations.

Anna can be contacted at anna@censis.co.uk

Chris Hall MAAT

Chris Hall MAAT Associate

Chris was appointed as an Associate on 1st January 2022. Chris joined Censis straight from college in 2008 whilst sitting his A levels and went on to successfully complete his Association of Accounting Technicians qualifications.

Chris continues to offer in depth management accounts advice to a range of clients in widely differing industry sectors and is involved in all aspects of the preparation of annual accounts and tax compliance.

Chris’ detailed technical knowledge of mainstream accounts software and approachable nature means he regularly delivers successful training to clients on the use of such software.  Chris is at the forefront of our introduction of cloud based accounting software packages to our clients. Chris is also part of our practice audit team.

His interests include playing cricket, skiing and watching football.

Chris can be contacted at chris@censis.co.uk

Alex Close

Alex Close MAAT Accounts Trainee

Alex joined Censis in January 2015 directly from school to study for his accounting technician examinations (AAT) which he has now successfully completed with excellent results. He is now embarking on his Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) examinations.

Alex assists our clients with the preparation of their quarterly VAT Returns and the annual accounts preparation for sole traders, partnerships and limited companies. He also assists in the monthly wages preparation for smaller limited companies.

Alex’s interests include travel and sport, a keen football fan, he enjoys attending the gym and represented the county and was called up for the England U15 hockey team.

Alex can be contacted on alex@censis.co.uk

Annalise Smith BSc(Hons) Accounts Trainee

Annalise joined Censis in June 2021 as a graduate after successfully completing a First Class Batchelor of Sciences Honours degree in Accounting and Financial Management at Hull University. She is currently studying for her Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales examinations.

Annalise assists our clients from a wide range of industries in all aspects of bookkeeping, preparation of VAT returns under the MTD rules, preparation of statutory year end accounts for incorporated and unincorporated entities and online bookkeeping using Sage, Xero and Quickbooks.

Annalise can be contacted on annalise@censis.co.uk

Danielle Smith MAATAccounts Senior

Danielle joined Censis in June 2018 and is Association of Accounting Technician qualified.

Danielle assists our clients with the preparation of annual accounts for sole traders, partnerships and limited companies, and the preparation of their quarterly VAT Returns and corporation tax returns.

Danielle can be contacted on danielle@censis.co.uk

George Maddren Accounts Trainee

George joined Censis in Summer 2022 straight from school as an apprentice and is currently studying towards the Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT) qualifications. George assists our clients with the preparation of annual accounts for sole traders, partnerships and limited companies and quarterly VAT preparation.

George can be contacted on george@censis.co.uk

Helen Woolven Payroll Administrator

Helen joined Censis in August 2021 as a full time member of our payroll bureau department. She is involved in the handling of all clients payroll services including weekly and monthly payroll preparation, legislative requirements, pension auto enrolment and liaison with Crown Departments and pension funds. She has an extensive knowledge of all aspects of employment legislation and procedures and is able to assist clients in these areas.

Helen can be contacted at helen@censis.co.uk

Jade Waller BA (Hons) ACCA Accounts Manager

Jade joined Censis in September 2017 as a graduate after successfully completing a Bachelor of Arts Honours degree in Accounting and Finance. In summer 2019 Jade successfully completed her Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) qualifications attaining excellent results in her final examinations.

As an accounts manager with a portfolio of clients Jade assists her clients from a range of industries with all aspects of their bookkeeping requirements, the preparation and submission of VAT returns and the preparation of statutory year end accounts. She also offers advice on personal and corporate taxation issues. Jade is also part of our practice audit team.

Jade can be contacted on jade@censis.co.uk

Joanne Sullivan

Joanne Sullivan Office Administrator

Joanne started working for Censis in August 2003 after being a secretary at a local stockbrokers. She has sole responsibility for the day to day running of the practice’s administrative department which includes typing of all correspondence and accounts and daily liaison with clients from all industry sectors. She also has responsibility for our vital in-house time management system. Joanne is also involved in the preparation of monthly wages for some of our smaller clients and assists them with their online filing obligations.

Joanne can be contacted at joanne@censis.co.uk

Lindsey Dunn Accounts Processor

Lindsey assists our clients with their daily bookkeeping and accounts processing requirements and is one of our in-house SageOne cloud package experts. Lindsey also assists in the weekly and monthly wages preparation for all sizes of clients.

Lindsey can be contacted on lindsey@censis.co.uk

Matthew Crofts MAAT Accounts Manager

Matthew joined Censis in May 2022 and is Association of Accounting Technicians qualified.

Matthew is an accounts manager with a portfolio of clients across a range of industries and sectors who he assists with all aspects of the preparation of annual accounts, VAT compliance, corporate and personal tax compliance, and general business planning an advice.

Matthew can be contacted on matthew@censis.co.uk

Molly Parker

Molly Parker Administration Assistant

Molly joined Censis straight from school aged 17 and is involved in all aspects of the administration of the practice. She has recently successfully completed an NVQ in Business Administration.

With her friendly personality and winning manner many will have already had the pleasure of speaking to her on the telephone or meeting her in person.

Molly can be contacted on molly@censis.co.uk

Nikki Gooding

Nikki Gooding Company Secretarial Administrator

Nikki rejoined Censis in June 2015 having originally been employed as a receptionist and secretary in 1997.

Nikki has responsibility for the practice’s company secretarial compliance services we offer to all limited company clients. This involves all aspects of ensuring records are maintained in line with Companies Act requirements, the filing of annual compliance statements and the filing of annual accounts with the Registrar.

Nikki also undertakes the credit control for the practice.

Nikki is married with two children and we are delighted that she has returned to the Censis team.

Nikki can be contacted on nikki@censis.co.uk

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