Torgersens is a chartered accountancy practice with bases in Sunderland, Gosforth and Jarrow. Martin Johnson joined Torgersens from KPMG in 1984 and has been a partner since 1988.
What was your first job (and how much did it pay)? My first employment was a summer job as a surveyor’s ‘chainman’ (measuring distances and elevations). I can’t remember the pay, but I do remember having to get out of the way of a herd of cows running across a farmer’s field straight at me! My first salary as a trainee accountant was £4,000pa.
What is the best advice or support you’ve been given in business? It’s not really business advice, but we have two ears and one mouth, so listen at least twice as much as you speak. This probably goes hand in hand with ‘better to look stupid than open your mouth and prove it’.
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What are the main changes you’ve seen in your business/sector and what are the challenges you’re facing? Too many changes to name just one, but probably cloud remote digital accounting and AI now, and Making Tax Digital in the future. HMRC’s terrible service levels are a major challenge at present for our clients and us.
How has the pandemic changed the way you work? We are all more flexible in the working environment eg. working from home, but we do need to revert to a more collaborative office-based work pattern, especially for effective training and staff development.
Who is your role model in business? No one role model but over the years I’ve picked up lots of tips from the great and good!
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What would your dream job be? This one, as I was never going to be the professional footballer of my dreams.
What advice would you give to someone starting out a career in your sector? Be a sponge, keep listening and learning and build a strong network of good professionals.
What makes the North East a good place to do business? It’s open and friendly, always willing to help out and has a ‘can do’ culture.
How important is it for business to play a role in society? It is vital. We have a strong presence working for charitable organisations and the Third sector, so we are very aware of the great philanthropy of the North East and the part business plays in it.
Outside of work, what are you really good at? I haven’t really got an active hobby at present, so I’m not sure. Hopefully, I’m a good husband, dad, and grandad!