About us

We can be your finance department
When it comes to making financial management decisions, corporate companies have an inbuilt advantage.
Their management team has access to accurate, timely numbers prepared by accountants. A Finance Director ensures they understand their financial position in depth. And they have robust financial management systems to flag up problems and ensure cashflow remains smooth.
Nearly 30 years ago our founder, Garry Mumford, had a vision: To give companies turning over £1 – £10 million those same financial management advantages.
Our aim is not only to handle your accounts, but to help you plan your business strategically, avoid financial difficulties and improve business performance. Above all, we want to help you, the CEO, make the best financial decisions for your company.
Essex accountants Insight Associates will support you as a Finance Director (FD), an accountant and a bookkeeper.
This fully outsourced finance department gives the same advantages that large corporates have.
your business
Clients who have worked with Essex FD’s Insight Associates have more time to develop their business, because they no longer fire fight financial crisis.
Meet the team

Garry Mumford FCCA
MANAGING DIRECTOR
About Garry
Garry is a highly experienced finance manager/director and one of the founding partners of Insight Associates, in 1992. He has held a number of senior financial roles in a variety of organisations, including Finance Directorships in both independent and family owned businesses.
Garry is a Fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (FCCA), member of the Institute of Directors, and a long standing Director of the Turnaround Management Association in the UK.
He has significant experience in change management, turnarounds, systems development and implementation, company acquisitions and disposals, as well as being a skilled facilitator in strategic planning and development situations.
Garry is of course part of both the client delivery team and the office support team – with overall responsibility for marketing, business development and driving the business forward.
In his spare time Garry is Chief Financial Officer for the Talyllyn Railway – the first railway in the world to be preserved by volunteers, where he is treasurer/accountant and board member.
Garry’s first book ‘Business by Numbers’ published in November 2017 is another way to convey his ‘importance of good financial management for business growth’ message and has been written with the non financial business owner in mind. It’s a great read and is available on Amazon.

Simon Hammond FCCA
CLIENT SERVICES DIRECTOR
About Simon
Simon joined Insight Associates client delivery team from Plymouth University in 2003 having gained a “high achiever” Degree in Accounting and Finance. He is also qualified with the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants.
For two decades Simon has worked closely with clients from a wide variety of industries to ensure their daily financial management and accounting needs are met. Operating to regular deadlines and timescales he is held in high regard by them, gaining many accolades from clients as a trusted and valued member of their in-house teams.
In his spare time he is a doting father who is keen on sport and socialising and enjoys a good pub quiz.

Shirley Hoy
ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR, DEVELOPMENT AND SUPPORT
About Shirley
Shirley joined the Insight Associates office support team in March 2003. She has a wealth of marketing and administration experience across a wide variety of commercial environments.
As a creative thinker and administrator she is responsible for the implementation of Insight Associates marketing strategy with all that entails, including social media, writing, website management, networking and exhibitions. She is also responsible for managing all support and back office functions.
In her spare time she enjoys Lindy, Charleston and Balboa dancing, rock choir singing, travel, photography and her motorbike.

Cara Smith FCCA
SENIOR FINANCE MANAGER
About Cara
Cara joined Insight Associates in 2011 with a wealth of experience gained in both the private and public sector. She is a confident, persistent and reliable individual who likes to complete tasks and resolve problems and is an integral part of the client delivery team.
She has received strong recommendations from clients and has vast knowledge of their internal systems and processes which has been instrumental in the continuous improvement of our service offering.
Cara is a Fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (FCCA).
In her spare time Cara loves to spend time with her family and has a young daughter to keep her on her toes.

Natasha Walman
SENIOR FINANCE ASSISTANT
About Natasha
Natasha joined Insight in 2016 with financial processing experience and a wealth of customer service experience gained primarily in the leisure industry. Her can do attitude and willingness to learn has seen her quickly develop into an integral team member. She is currently studying for her AAT.
Natasha has a deep understanding of Insight Associates’ operating procedures and processes. She confidently resolves client queries and has key responsibility for a number of payrolls.
Outside of work Natasha enjoys socialising with friends.

Victoria Curzon
FINANCE ADMINISTRATOR
About Victoria
Vikki Curzon joined the Insight team towards the end of 2018 and immediately made a great impact providing administrative support to colleagues and clients. During her time with us she has developed her accounting skills and is an integral member of the client delivery team.
Vikki is responsible for directing client query calls and welcoming visitors to the Insight office and her charismatic personality and beaming smile are perfect qualities for this.
She has a breadth of industry knowledge from the banking and legal sector where she was responsible for client billing and timely court submissions. Recent roles include administrative support to the education sector.
Outside of work Vikki loves spending time socialising with friends and family and has a delightful Maltese dog named Ted.

Amy Bridger
Finance Assistant
About Amy
Amy first joined the Insight Team in 2014 and we were delighted to welcome her back again in 2021 in her new Finance Assistant role.
Amy has a wealth of experience from her previous time with us and has subsequently been responsible for delivering quality Monthly Management Accounts within both the construction and communications industries.
Her cheerful demeanour and diligent attitude are qualities that our clients trust and rely on.
Outside of work Amy loves spending time with her young daughter and partner. She’s also an avid Arsenal football supporter….whilst her partner is an avid Tottenham supporter!

Joe Poyser BSc Hons.
ASSISTANT FINANCE MANAGER
About Joe
In January 2022 we welcomed Joe to the Insight team.
He has a degree in Accounting and Finance and is a student member of the ACCA. He looks forward to completing his ACCA studies soon.
Joe has gained experience in both the commercial accounting and traditional accountancy practice arena’s and has implemented that knowledge whilst here at Insight Associates.
Joe has an easy going nature and is dependable, organised, and accurate. Skills that will all be put to good use delivering high quality support to our clients.
In his spare time (when he isn’t busy studying!) Joe enjoys gaming, reading and the gym. He enjoys watching rugby and likes to watch his local team play. He also seems to be a bit of an expert on many restaurants in the area and often shares delicious food pictures with us!

Sophie Kerrison BA ACA
FINANCIAL CONTROLLER
About Sophie
Sophie is one of those rare Qualified Chartered Accountants with ‘across the board experience’ having worked for over 15 years in the banking, big 4 accountancy, commercial and retail sectors. She also has a BA (Hons) in Economics and Law.
She is a highly capable self starter with a wealth of experience in credit risk, forecasting, audit, cashflows, budgets and every aspect of monthly management accounts. She is well versed in group reporting and presenting to board members and senior management teams.
Sophie joined the Insight team in August 2022 after a career break to raise her family, renovate a house and move to the local area.
She is a dedicated, thorough and reliable member of the team.
Outside of work Sophie loves to travel and enjoys socialising and reading.

Lisa Curtis
Finance Manager
About Lisa
Lisa became part of the Insight team at the end of February 2023. She has a wealth of experience across multiple commercial sectors including manufacturing, property and construction to name but a few.
Most of those businesses were UK based, but several have international head offices all requiring specific accounts reporting.
She is knowledgeable, motivated, and works in a structured way. This coupled with her friendly, practical and helpful nature, makes her a valuable addition to the Insight team.
In her spare time Lisa loves attending festivals in the campervan she fitted out with her partner. She’s also a keen fossil hunter, enjoys spending time cooking and loves her Christmas tree.

Mihaela Baboianu BSc Hons.
Assistant Finance Manager
About Mihaela
Mihaela is a top achieving, results-oriented graduate who joined the Insight team in September 2023 with a BSc (Hons) in Finance and Accounting from the Anglia Ruskin University.
Mihaela is part qualified with the ACCA and has a diploma in economics from her native country Romania.
She is a friendly, strong, communicator with experience in both the commercial and practice arenas. She looks forward to putting her analytical, problem-solving skills to good use working with Insight Associates clients.
Outside of work Mihaela likes to travel and loves spending time with her husband and young son.
Invest in your business today
Ready to step up, invest in your business and reap the benefits?