Growing businesses need more than just tax accounting
Most accountancy firms are tax accountants – they look backwards and keep you compliant.
But you need so much more than that – especially if you’re a funded start-up, looking to acquire other firms, introducing new departments or planning your exit strategy. If your accountancy firm can’t help you with those and you don’t have a full time Financial Director, you need a different kind of accountant.
We are Advisory Accountants – we look ahead and keep you on track.
Many fast growing businesses – and even larger, established companies – don’t have the in-house expertise to plan for the future and manage growth and change.
And that’s where we come in.
We’re called The Academy Partnership because we partner with you to plan, build and develop your business – and we take your business very seriously.
As your accountants we are inextricably linked to the success of your business.
We can tell you when the time is right to take on more staff, or when you need to cut back because you’ll run out of cash in two months.
We’re guessing that you don’t have money to burn. That’s why we work with you or your key staff to make sure they’re fully trained to do the day-to-day bookkeeping and admin work that you shouldn’t even be paying an accountant for.
Some of our fantastic clients, and what they say…
The Academy Partnership Approach
The way we’ll work together will follow one of these models, depending on who you have in your company:
1) Working in partnership with your finance person
If you have a person who is overseeing the books, paying invoices, essentially doing all the finance tasks in the company then we’ll establish a close working partnership with them. Whether they are a financial director or junior admin person, we’ll treat them as part of our team and give them the training they need to do their job as efficiently as possible.
2) Ownership of your entire accounts
If you have no-one to take care of the books and can’t spare anyone to take on the task, then the most efficient way of working with us is to let us take care of everything, from day to day book-keeping upwards. Much of this is automated through Xero – an online accounting platform, so it won’t cost as much as you think.
Regardless of how we work together, we commit to:
- Giving you frank and up-to-date financial advice
- Responding fast – replying to emails within half an hour and answering the phone immediately.
- Being available – we’ll come and visit when you want us to.
- Staying on top of accounting deadlines and manage your filings accordingly.
Ready to make the switch?
We’re guessing your existing accountant is probably OK – once you can get hold of them. But they might not be giving your business the priority it needs. If you mean business you’ll need an accountancy firm that will give you serious support.
Give us a call to get the ball rolling – and see for yourself how easy it is to get hold of someone who can give you the answers you need.
Meet The Academy Partnership Founders
Ian
I’m a Chartered Accountant and founder of the firm. Described by a good friend as “the accountant with a heart”, I love numbers, systems and efficiency. I also care passionately about our business-owning clients.
Running any business is challenging personally and emotionally, as well as commercially and financially. I pride myself on doing my very best to help you and your business to survive and thrive.
Hannah
My role at the Academy Partnership is Practice Manager and Director.
I oversee all aspects of the firm including managing the accounts and finances, organising our monthly networking events and the very important task of Graduate Recruitment.
I also assist Ian in his role as mentor to our Graduate trainee accountants.
Client success stories
Easing the pain of legal financial investigations
For this retail client despite their best intentions, a financial claim had been filed against their company. Fortunately, they came to us and we were able to help them get a positive outcome.
The stress-free way to make tax digital
This bio-analytics company was doing well, with 12 employees and a good turnover. However the pressure of moving to a fully digital accounting platform was causing uncertainty, here’s how we helped them.
Reconciling capital accounts to give a clear financial picture
For this magazine publisher a series of equity raises, and fluctuating valuations had led to a few inconsistencies in their accounts, here’s how we reconciled them.
Enabling employee share options and investment applications
Our client produces software for the healthcare industry. They were at the point in their lifecycle where they needed to continue to grow and ensure they retained the best people in order to do so successfully.
Xero Migration Support Leading to Clearer Financial Picture
For this client in the construction business, an unsatisfactory accounting infrastructure with loose financial controls led to inconsistent and unexpected VAT liabilities.
Ensuring IT business stays on track through leadership change
For this IT supply and support company with 5 employees, the sudden change in their leadership team meant an uncertain strategic direction. Fortunately, they came to us for strategic-level help.
Staying on Course After Sudden Exit of Key Stakeholder
When this successful digital agency, with a healthy turnover and 12 employees, suddenly lost their founding shareholder, it really hit home.
Creating new revenue streams to survive economic uncertainty
No-one in business is immune to the wider economic landscape. And for this manufacturing company, a sudden downturn in orders was due to something out of their control – Brexit.
Improving financial picture for next stage growth
On the face of it, this event company looked like it was pretty successful. Turnover was at a healthy £3 million and there were 200 employees on the books. This company had big plans, but there was a problem.
Need more information?
You. Us. Xero. It’s a marriage made in Heaven.
When done right, digital accounting platforms make everything easier, from keeping on top of your books to filing tax returns.
