| West Yorkshire Community Accounting Service |
About usWYCAS is a small charitable company operating in West Yorkshire (Charity Number 1076962, Company number 3721361). It has five members, consisting of the five Councils of Voluntary Service (CVS) in West Yorkshire which are BCVS, VAC, VAK, VAL and VAWD. Each CVS can appoint a Director to the WYCAS board. We also have a User representative from each district on the Board and can make up to 5 co-options. The Board is responsible for the overall governance of the organisation.WYCAS currently employs 12 members of staff and has been in existence since September 2000. Penny Carter - WYCAS Strategic Manager.For over 10 years Penny has worked in the voluntary sector in a variety of roles that centred around finance and financial management. During this time she has also undertaken qualifications in Business, Accounting and Management in the not for profit sector. Penny joined WYCAS in January 2005, initially as Large Groups Worker, then moved to the role of Co-ordinator in 2006 and became Strategic Manager on a part-time basis following a restructure of the management roles in March 2007. When not at work Penny enjoys caravanning and jet biking with her family. Wendy Beasley - Finance and Funding Manager.Wendy is a qualified Chartered Accountant and joined WYCAS in a part-time capacity in March 2007 taking over responsibility for some of the management roles within the organisation. She is also part-time Senior Finance Officer at Voluntary Action Leeds. Prior to joining WYCAS, Wendy worked in education for 12 years, supporting schools with their finances. Wendy enjoys walking in the mountains, cycling, playing squash and generally being active. Dave Collins - Senior Community Accountant and Community Accountant for Bradford.Dave was born and went to school in Bradford. Having gained an Economics degree he obtained a PGCE and part-qualified with ICMA. He has worked in a wide variety of jobs including administrator for Bradford CVS so already knew many of the groups he is now working with. Dave's other interests include fell running, cycling and good beer (in any order!). He has worked with WYCAS since 2000.Simon Bostrom - Senior Community Accountant-Training and Community Accountant for LeedsAt 18 Simon started a degree in Maths learned to juggle and dropped out! He then set up a VW restoration business, which was sometimes fun but mostly 18 hour days for little remuneration. He then got involved with Playspace, where he became treasurer, which reconnected him with the joys of adding up numbers. This prompted him to sign up for a degree in accountancy and law at Bradford College, which he successfully completed. Experience at Playspace and at a charity accountants led him to WYCAS where he has worked since January 2003.Julie Haley - Community Accountant for WakefieldJulie has worked in various aspects of finance for the past 15 years, commencing her training with an audit practice before moving into industry and finally gravitating towards the not for profit and voluntary sector. Outside work she is a keen painter, both on an artistic and DIY basis! Other interests include walking, cycling and gardening.Helen Galvin - Community Accountant for CalderdaleHelen previously worked for 11 years at a university within the financial accounts and taxation section. Prior to that she worked in the private sector performing a variety of accountancy roles. Helen enjoys going to the gym, DIY and fine wine. She also has two boys who keep her on her toes. Helen joined WYCAS in May 2005.Alison Wolfenden- Community Accountant for KirkleesAlison has worked as a management accountant for too many years to remember in both the private and voluntary sectors. She has an NVQ4 in management and also diplomas in colour analysis, acupressure and character analysis. When not working Alison enjoys making cards, tapestry, yoga, going on holiday and of course her grandchildren. Alison joined WYCAS in May 2005.Susan Szamakowicz - Community Accountant re Annual AccountsSusan has had a varied career history starting with hairdressing over 30 years ago. A move to the Grand Theatre (Leeds) in 1979 provided training and experience in accounts. In 1989 she joined Leeds Metropolitan University and worked in areas of finance, health and safety and harassment counselling. Most weekends Susan enjoys escaping in her motor home and walking. Susan joined WYCAS in November 2005. Steve Procter - Community Accountant re Annual AccountsSteve joined WYCAS in June 2007 and will be working with groups to provide a bookkeeping and 'infill' service in addition to preparing and independently examining annual accounts. He has worked in finance and administration for over 30 years and has 5 years experience of working with the voluntary sector. When not 'on-duty', Steve enjoys sport, travel and music, as well as his main interest - studying and collecting artefacts relating to space exploration. Caroline Morgan - European Monitoring OfficerAfter spending her first 10 years working for Bradford Council, mainly in Personnel, Caroline enjoyed a career break as Postwoman for a year. She moved to Cornwall and rejoined the public sector, but a longing for real job satisfaction brought her to the voluntary sector where she has worked for the past 6 years in various roles. Outside work, she can occasionally be seen riding her motorcycle and likes walking providing it doesn't involve going up too may hills! Samantha Jones - AdministratorSamantha worked in the banking sector for 16 years prior to joining WYCAS in August 2005. She has two young children around which her home life revolves but enjoys gardening, DIY and fair-weather jogging when time permits! She is also looking forward to introducing her children to the thrill of scuba-diving when they are a bit older!
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