Forty years on, Kay celebrates career milestone at Simpkins Edwards
An Exeter woman who answered a newspaper job advert as a teenager has celebrated an impressive 40 years with South West accountancy firm Simpkins Edwards.
Kay Bath joined the business in 1986, aged just 16, after spotting a vacancy for an office junior in the Express & Echo. Four decades later, colleagues marked the occasion with a garden party at the firm's headquarters at The Summit in Exeter.
Much has changed since Kay started work, when her annual salary was £2,425 and almost every aspect of the business relied on paper records. "There were six office administration staff looking after all the files," she recalled. "Everything was done manually. We filed paperwork, photocopied documents, sent faxes and made tea and coffee for around 60 people twice a day. We all knew exactly how everyone liked their drink."
Kay worked full time for eight years, returning part time after starting a family. She says the flexibility offered by Simpkins Edwards is one of the reasons she has stayed with the firm for so long. "If I needed time off for a sick child, that was never a problem, and I was always happy to help out with extra days when needed. It's always felt like a two-way relationship."
Technology has transformed the profession, with many clients now choosing online meetings instead of visiting the office. But Kay says that some continue to prefer to come in. "I still see many long-standing clients, particularly farmers I've known since I first started. They've always been supportive, and it's lovely to catch up with them at the office or when I’ve manned the stand at agricultural shows."
While staying with one employer for 40 years is increasingly unusual, Kay says she has never been tempted to leave. "It's always been a friendly place to work where there's a balance of professionalism and fun. The people are what have made the difference. I've been lucky to work with wonderful colleagues over the years, and new people have always fitted in with that same friendly, supportive culture."
She also credits the firm's social events and annual volunteering programme with helping colleagues build lasting friendships. Over the years she has helped paint classrooms and scout huts, litter-picked on Exmouth beach, painted lampposts in Exeter and most recently volunteered at Rowcroft Hospice.
Among her favourite memories is the firm's move to The Summit in 2023. Her husband, who worked for Royal Mail, delivered post to the Pynes Hill area. "I told him he'd better make sure our post arrived on time because I dealt with it. I think he took it so seriously that he started delivering ours before one of our competitors!"
To mark the occasion, Kay was presented with flowers, a cake and a holiday voucher. Managing Partner, Mark Simic said: "For 40 years, Kay has been a valued member of our team. Her dedication, loyalty and sense of humour are appreciated by colleagues across the business.
"We're fortunate to have a number of long-serving employees and that's something we're incredibly proud of. It reflects the supportive culture we've worked hard to build over many years."
Kay, who enjoys travelling and has visited destinations from the Caribbean to Kos, says she has no regrets about staying with the same firm for 40 years. "I wouldn't change it. It's always been a great place to work, and wonderful to spend my career with such lovely people."
