Behind every successful business is a team of people ensuring everything runs smoothly, and Elry Augustine is one of those key people. Elry, our Head of Accounts, has been an essential member of our team since 2018. She leads Millcroft’s accounts department and her career journey so far has been driven by a flair for numbers.
The path to accounts
Elry’s love for accounting began at 14, sparked by the Principles of Accounts course she did at secondary school. “While everyone thought I’d pursue geography because I received the highest grade in it, my heart was always with balancing numbers,” she shares.
This passion drove Elry to pursue a career in accountancy. Starting with a Pitman’s Bookkeeping & Computerised Accounting course at Lambeth College, she was soon moved on to the AAT (Association of Accounting Technicians) Foundation Level 2, which was more in line with her level of knowledge. Elry boosted her education with a Business and Administration qualification, an ATT level 3, and a degree in Accounting and Finance from London South Bank University, graduating with a 2:1. She has continued with this appetite for learning, gaining a payroll diploma whilst working at Millcroft.
Along the way, Elry gained practical experience in cash handling and financial management, working for H&M and Zara UK - where she was promoted to Head Cashier - and through a paid internship at Fit2Trip, an insurance company.
Joining the Millcroft Team
Elry joined Millcroft in January 2018 as an account assistant responsible for data input and all-round accounting. “I remember my interview like it was yesterday,“ she recalls. “It was the most relaxed and welcoming experience. Roy and Billy made me feel at home right away.”
Since then, Elry’s role has grown significantly. Now she oversees the financial health of our business. “I report to the directors on financial matters like cash inflows and outflows, manage payables and receivables, process payroll, handle VAT and CIS returns, and much more,” she explains. She also collaborates closely with her assistant, Deepak, to ensure deadlines are met and the accounts run smoothly.
Elry is proud of how far she’s come at Millcroft. She’s committed to continuing her professional development to support her team and the company further. “The directors, Roy, Billy and Sam, have all been incredibly supportive,” she says. “Their belief in me has motivated me to push myself and continue to grow.”
A day in accounts
Elry’s day starts with a cup of tea and a quick catch-up with Roy. From there, she plans the day’s to-do list with Deepak, prioritising based on deadlines. “Every day is different,” she explains. “Some days are easy-going while others are busy with month-end responsibilities or preparing quarterly management accounts. Fridays are a little lighter, so we finish early at 4 pm and enjoy some Nando’s, courtesy of the directors.”
The greatest challenge in Elry’s role is staying up to date with HMRC regulation changes. “I address this by regularly visiting the HMRC website and working closely with our auditors,” she explains.
Outside of work, Elry cherishes time with her fiancé and son Callum. For her, weekends are about going to the cinema to catch the latest movie or enjoying her favourite Turkish cuisine.
Why Millcroft feels like family
For Elry, the best part of working at Millcroft is the team spirit. “We’re like a family,” she says. “Everyone supports one another, and if I’m unsure about something, I know I can rely on my colleagues for help.”
When asked to sum up her experience, Elry describes Millcroft as “a lovely place to work with amazing people.”
