May 2024

Emily Keenan In Employee Spotlights, News

Employee Spotlight: Crissie McConaghie

Every few weeks we will be spotlighting a member of the team so that you can get to know the people behind the Pacem brand. This week we feature our Senior Manager, Crissie McConaghie. With over 12 years of experience in the Accountancy and Banking industry, Crissie joined Pacem as a Senior Manager in September 2023. She completed her degree in Accountancy at Ulster University and has been a member of CAI since February 2017. She now works as part of our Accountancy & Tax team, supporting and advising clients in areas of business and tax advice.

Crissie tells us a bit more about herself below.

Employee name
Crissie McConaghie

Your role at Pacem
Chartered Accountant

How long have you been with Pacem?
9 Months

What does your day-to-day role entail?
A typical day in the office involves managing our client work within the team and engaging with clients with any queries they may have. The client work varies from VAT return preparation, payroll, CIS returns, accounts and tax return preparation, and general bookkeeping. Every day is different. I do meet with clients a lot which is either in person or online.

How would you describe yourself in three words?
Kind, Bubbly, and Hard-Working

Tell us something that might surprise us about you.
I competed in vintage ploughing competitions!

What do you like most about your job?
The Pacem team – everyone is so friendly and I felt part of the family from day one! I also enjoy being a part of our client’s business life journey.

If you won the lottery, what is the first thing you would do?
Take my family on a big holiday to Australia and New Zealand, with a stop in Disneyland Florida for my little girl Daisy.

Favourite Food
Any pasta dish, or anything on the Amicci Restaurant Portstewart menu for that matter (if you don’t know, get to know!) And a good Sunday Roast is always hard to beat!

Favourite Food
My husband is a farmer, so outside of work he always finds a job for me to do, whether it be delivering his dinner to the field or helping during lambing time, he will always find a job for me to keep me busy on the farm! I also enjoy long walks around the North Coast soaking up all the beautiful views it has to offer – Portballintrae being one of my favourite views.

Emily Keenan In Employee Spotlights, News

Employee Spotlight: Seanin McGarry

Every week we will be spotlighting a member of the team so that you can get to know the people behind the Pacem brand. This week we feature our Planning Analyst Intern, Seanin McGarry. Seanin is currently studying Business Management at Queen’s University and completed a placement with ASM in Newry as part of her degree. Working as a part-time Planning Analyst, Seanin supports our Financial Planning team in meeting client’s needs.

Seanin tells us a bit more about herself below.

Employee name
Seanin McGarry

Your role at Pacem
Planning Analyst Intern

How long have you been with Pacem?
10 Months

What does your day-to-day role entail?
Normally, my day-to-day role is assisting in preparing reports and completing client work alongside our advisors. I prepare annual review reports and valuations for client meetings. I also process ad-hoc tasks that come up such as contributions or withdrawals within client portfolios.

How would you describe yourself in three words?
Ambitious, Genuine, and Reliable

Tell us something that might surprise us about you.
I love to cook. I enjoy learning and creating new recipes to try out.

What do you like most about your job?
I enjoy the variety of tasks each day. I am always learning something new which makes it interesting. I also enjoy working with the team at Pacem, everyone is friendly and always happy to help.

If you won the lottery, what is the first thing you would do?
I would take all my family on a nice holiday. I would also build my dream house and then open my own café or restaurant…the list is endless!

Favourite Food
Anything spicy really but probably Chinese food.

Where is the best place you’ve travelled to and why?
I visited Bali in the summer and it was definitely my favourite so far. We travelled around to Ubud, Gili Trawangan, Uluwatu and Canngu so I was able to experience a bit of everything. I loved the food, people, beaches, and obviously the weather!

What is something you learned in the last week?
My mum taught me how to put oil in my car – I have been driving for 5 years!

Emily Keenan In Employee Spotlights, News

Employee Spotlight: Adam Martin

Every week we will be spotlighting a member of the team so that you can get to know the people behind the Pacem brand. This week we feature our Planning Analyst, Adam Martin. Adam is currently studying Economics at Ulster University and joined the Pacem team in May 2023 as part of our Internship Programme. He is now working as a full-time Planning Analyst, supporting our Financial Advisory team in achieving client’s financial goals.

Adam tells us a bit more about himself below.

Employee name
Adam Martin

Your role at Pacem
Planning Analyst Intern

How long have you been with Pacem?
Almost a year!

What does your day-to-day role entail?
My day-to-day generally consists of preparing annual review reports for our clients. I assist the team in preparing recommendation reports for new clients. There is also usually always a few ad hoc tasks during the week to complete.

How would you describe yourself in three words?
Ambitious, Motivated & Sociable.

Tell us something that might surprise us about you.
I’m a Manchester City fan! That is unsurprising to everyone in the office as I started when City won the Champions League.

What do you like most about your job?
I like the variety of my role – no day is the same! I am constantly learning new things and developing my skills.

If you won the lottery, what is the first thing you would do?
Ah the dream! I would share a lot of it with family and friends but first I would probably buy a house beside Galgorm Castle Golf Club where I spend most of my spare time. I would also probably buy a holiday home on the slopes as skiing is my favourite holiday.

What would you do (for a career) if you weren’t doing this?
I think I would more than likely be doing greenkeeping as it was my summer job and something I really enjoyed!

Favourite Film(s)
I love a good war film! I think 1917 or Hacksaw Ridge would be my favourite.

What interests/hobbies do you have outside of work?
I love sport. My main hobby is golf – I have a handicap of 4, although it was 2 a couple of months ago! My friends and I play 5 a side every Tuesday night which is a great way to catch up with everyone!