RUGBY fan Stephen Smith has opted for the prestigious clients and varied work at Manchester city centre Chartered accountants Jack Ross.

A keen Sale Sharks supporter, Stephen has taken up the position of audit manager at the company.

He joins Jack Ross from a Blackburn firm and has more than 25 years experience in accounting.

At Jack Ross he will be working in an eight strong team in the audit department, helping to lead and develop it.

Stephen said: “I was attracted to Jack Ross because of the quality of the clients that I would be able to work with and the opportunity to do more varied work was there. The welcome has been fantastic and I have settled straight into the role. I have been able to put my experience and knowledge to good use but I am also learning new things so all round it’s a very fulfilling place to work.”

Jack Ross partner Peter Black said he was delighted to welcome Stephen to the team. He said: “Stephen brings invaluable knowledge and expertise so our clients will feel very sure that they can count on him.” 

Stephen, who lives in Cornhill Road, Davyhulme with wife Janet and has two grown up children, is a former amateur rugby union player himself, competing for a team in Sale where he grew up.

He was also a keen runner with Sale Harriers and was a student at Manchester Polytechnic before joining the former Joseph Shepherd firm of accountants, in the city, to train in his field.