The client is more important than the fee
The expression ‘the client is more important than the fee’ is in our DNA, meaning we never give advice or complete work to earn a fee, we do it because it is right or the client needs it. Sometimes this means that we step closer when a client is in difficulties even if we know they cannot pay for the work needed, or that we guide them to other accountants when we are no longer the right ones for them.
We know that there are many types of advisors out there. Some simply provide information. Ask the right questions and you will probably get the right answer. Some firms may provide options. “Based on the situation, you could do A, B or C.” We know that our clients want all of that and an opinion, what would we do if we were in their shoes?
This opinion becomes even more valuable when you put it into context with the time we invest to understand your aspirations, attitude to risk, your personality and the business. You then get honest advice and our opinion on what we would do, but also what we would do if we were you. On the flip side, that also means that we fight your corner when we need to. That may be pushing back against an inflexible Bank manager, or fighting against HMRC when they disagree with anything the client has done. In short, we will be on your side throughout your journey.
So why work with us?
We will make an impact to your business
Our core objective is to become your ‘trusted advisor’. Clients involve us in every aspect of their business and financial affairs, discussing issues in advance so we can help shape their plans and highlight risks. We don’t just focus on the business, on financial performance and tax planning, but on what really matters to you. That could be bringing the next generation of family into the business, it could be planning for a retirement, or it might just be as simple as being the person they can trust to celebrate success with, or who can tell it how it is when they need a wakeup call or reality check.
We will become a net contributor – our value is greater than our fees
We of course do the basics of producing accounts, tax returns or doing payroll for example. All the things that help you comply with the rules. But these don’t really add any value other than piece of mind that the basics are covered. Our clear objective is to make a difference, finding ideas and opportunities to add tangible value to each client that exceeds all our fees. This can include complex tax advice that generates tax refunds or future tax savings, or business advice to improve profits or increase the business value, or even wealth planning to grow and protect the clients overall wealth. It is only through delivering these additional services where value is much greater than the costs, that we can strive to ensure we pay for ourselves year after year, and become a ‘net contributor’ to you, not just another financial overhead.
We provide solutions to problems
We often hear business owners complain that they don’t get any proactive advice from their accountants. If they ask the right question they may well get the right answer, but no alternative advice. If a client asks “if I do ABC will I pay tax?” the answer may well be “Yes”. But our response would be… “Yes, but tell us what you are trying to achieve and we may have some better options”. Our clients bring any issue to us, even when they know we can’t help! They trust us to redirect them to whoever can help, or just to add our opinion and what we would do. Our expertise is in providing solutions to problems.
We’re commercial and creative
Let’s be completely honest here. We are a business and we want to be successful. We want to make good profit, build a sustainable business and enjoy what we do. That is much easier to achieve when we work with good businesses, and offer a wide range of value added services, and deliver these to the highest standard. This work is more interesting for us and more valuable to you. Where we add value greater than cost, clients never argue about our fees, and therefore complex work is actually easier to sell and more profitable, and clients trust us to do more and more. Our creativity means that we can often find solutions when others cannot and doing a great job on high value work is just sound business. That principle is one we guide all clients on… ‘Don’t be cheaper, be better’, and one we apply ourselves.
Passionate and proactive
There is no fun in accounting, audit or tax returns! Honestly, there isn’t! However, they give us the platform so that we can get excited about adding value, growing businesses, saving tax, and all the proactive advice that clients love. We are passionate about proactivity, because proactivity generates all the kinds of opportunities for the work that we love to do. Our passion will always drive us to go the extra mile to help you succeed.
Client Service is our focus
We genuinely care about our clients and strive to deliver great client service from the little things to the big. You will be at the forefront of everything we do as we invest to build a long term relationship with us, so that we are there for you every step of your journey.
We’re not just accountants
Most accountants are focussed on the past. Last year’s accounts, last year’s tax liabilities. Like most business people, we are focussed on the future. Growing wealth, improving business performance and planning for tax in advance. We are business people first and foremost, we talk your language and understand your challenges.
We will tell you the right questions you should be asking not wait for you to ask us the wrong questions or when it’s too late to act.
There is nothing worse than being told “I’ve already done this…., was that the right way to do it?”. It is almost impossible to do anything clever after the transactions been done, although it is still worth asking us! Tax especially is hard to manage once the transaction is completed, but even simple business ideas might be harder to unravel if they have already been done the wrong way. Our objective is to get close to our clients so that we are the first ones they talk to whenever they are planning anything. That gives us the chance to offer valuable advice while it’s still possible to take it.
We take away the worry so you can get on with your business
One of the biggest challenges you face is that you don’t know what you don’t know. It is our job to be looking for any problems that may arise, or the impact of changes in legislation, so you can focus on what you do best. As rules change we monitor clients affected, and as new opportunities arise we think about who could benefit. If needed we will fight your corner and stand between HMRC and you, or deal with the bank if they are being difficult.
Are your advisors too passive?
Are they failing to bring ideas or challenge to help you succeed? Do you think they are secretly working for HMRC! And do we sound like the kind of people you can do business with? If so, give us a call and lets have a no-obligation chat to see what we can do to help you achieve your success.