Meet the team.
Martina Legerer
I worked for many years as a tax consultant and qualified as a management accountant in Austria before moving to the UK in 2010.
I worked for multi-nationals Telefonica and HP in England before taking a study break during which I started volunteering in the charity sector. I was inspired by the commitment of the people I worked with, and jumped at the chance to join ASC in 2016.
I like the variety of working across several client accounts, and particularly enjoy a hands-on approach, building close working relationships with our clients.
Niamh Sims
I started my career with a young technology firm, where I qualified as a management accountant almost 20 years ago. This role gave me a great grounding in all things finance, and insight into the
ever-changing tech sector. I left to join Nestle UK as a development accountant, initially working in project management roles, before becoming a senior business analyst.
Taking some time out to travel gave me the opportunity to consider a move to the not-for-profit sector, initially working with Cancer Research UK. I met Steve whilst working as Finance Manager for ARK and joined Accounting Solutions for Charities in 2012.
I enjoy supporting the clients I manage, from the early stages of system improvement, right through to the end goal; a smooth running finance function and a client who understands their numbers and has the information they need to direct their organisation.
Steve Brown
I started out as a management accountant with Unilever, longer ago than I care to remember. FMCG was never really for me though – I told myself even the revolution needs its accountants. After qualifying I moved to the voluntary sector and enjoyed over 15 years as FD of various charities in the UK and Uganda before starting Accounting Solutions for Charities in 2010.
I lead on consultancy projects and new business and support the team across all of our outsourced accounting clients. My favourite part of the job is finding a new way to make an old task easier.
Alex Woodhouse
My interest in the charity sector started when I got involved in the finances of the church I attended growing up, in Kings Norton a suburb of Birmingham. The opportunity arose to join the Birmingham Diocese and lead in the creation and implementation of a new shared service for parishes that looked after their monthly bookkeeping and year-end accounts. It was in this role that I developed an appreciation for seeing how my work could contribute to making a real difference in people’s lives.
When the opportunity to join ASC came up in 2023, I jumped at the chance. It is allowing me to work across a broader range of charities and develop my knowledge and skills. I am also currently working towards the completion of my ACCA qualification.
Deirdre de la Plain
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Annett Heitsch
My accounting career started at a large multi-national corporation, where I also qualified with AAT (2011). Since then it has been a slow but steady journey from the commercial to the not-for-profit sector. When I was ready for my next role in 2024, ASC offered exactly what I was looking for.
My experience helps me with appraising new business ventures or contracts and I take job satisfaction from supporting people to understand financial thinking and concepts. I love the challenge of transforming high volumes of data into easily digested information.
I grew up in Germany, moved to Hampshire in the south of England in the 1990s and have lived here ever since. I have been treasurer and trustee for the local Home-Start branch and currently I am the clerk to the trustees of an almshouse charity.