An #INABAaward goes to Super Accountant Annette Ferguson

I first encountered Annette on twitter. I checked out her website, read some of her blog posts, listened to her podcasts and watched some of her videos. Even before speaking with her I was pretty certain that she deserved this (virtual) award of an INABA.

INABA stands for 'I'm Not A Boring Accountant' - more on the awards here +++++;

Annette is another stand out accountant who evidently operates in such a way as to confirm my contention that ‘Boring Is Optional'.

Annette's practice, Super Accountant, is focused on entrepreneurs and new business owners 'who want to be super successful'. She does very little of the day to day bookkeeping or accounting for her clients. This compliance work is instead undertaken by her staff. Annette's focus is much more on being the main client interface and helping them understand the numbers and how to grow their businesses.

Annette's podcasts and videos are as much for her existing clients as for new ones. Existing clients are able to listen to her advice at a time of their choosing. Annette also 'sees' many of her clients online via skype video chats. She gets a real buzz from helping clients to grow their businesses and this is apparent from her online activity as well as when you speak with her 1-2-1.

The client testimonials on Annette's website are quite compelling.  For example, one of them notes that she is particularly pro-active which is:

 so unusual in a world of ‘same-old, same-old, grey as grey accountants'.

Beyond this, she told me:

Helping clients to grow their business is a lot more interesting than simply churning out their annual accounts.  The compliance work is a necessity of course but clients could go to any old accountant for that. My clients know that I want them to see me as part of their team and to run their ideas past me. They also know that I share everything I learn with my clients. 

I would hate anyone to think that I fitted the stereotype of a boring accountant. I also think my branding helps me to stand out initially, but it's they way I deal with clients that really counts.

If you think you deserve an INABA or you know an accountant who meets the criteria please let me know.

An #INABA award for Rob Walsh of Clear Vision Accounting

At a recent AVN conference I was blown away by the passion, enthusiasm and 'clear vision' displayed by Rob Walsh when he talked about how he runs his practice: Clear Vision Accountancy in Corsham, Wiltshire.

I knew immediately that Rob deserved this (virtual) award of an INABA. He evidently operates in such a way as to confirm my contention that ‘Boring Is Optional'. INABA stands for 'I'm Not A Boring Accountant' - more on the awards here +++++;

In 2004 Rob decided he was bored operating as a partner in a traditional regional firm of accountants. He founded Clear Vision as a result of his desire to make a change in his life and in the accountancy profession. As he explained at the conference, "I care to make a bloody difference".

On checking the firm's YouTube channel I remembered that a friend of mine, Robert Craven, had previously enthused about the non-traditional approach operated by Rob Walsh and the team at Clear Vision. Having now met Rob, I can better understand Robert's enthusiasm. The video in which Robert explains his disappointment with previous accountants is well worth watching.

More recently Rob told me that:

“I believe accountants can and should change their customers' lives.  

My team and I believe in questioning how things are traditionally done in the accountancy sector: producing accounts within 20 days of receiving books and records from our clients, providing our clients with a guarantee that they can pay whatever they think we are worth and charging on a fixed-quote basis.  

We practice an 'upside down' approach to accounting, where the salary or level of dividends a business owner requires to maintain the lifestyle they want comes top and the level of profit a business needs to make to serve the owner's lifestyle is at the bottom.
I use my experience to be whatever clients need me to be: business consultant, sounding board, mentor or simply an efficient and proactive accountant.  

My team and I work with business owners across all sectors. We will continue to do so as we believe (and have repeatedly proved) that insights from one sector can and will benefit another. Alongside this, we have developed specific skills in working as accountants for dentists." 

If you think you deserve an INABA or you know an accountant who meets the criteria please let me know.

The next #INABAaward goes to Amy Taylor

Amy Taylor runs Taylor Accountancy in Potton, Bedfordshire.

This is another (virtual) award of an INABA to an accountant who operates in such a way as to confirm my contention that ‘Boring Is Optional'. INABA stands for 'I'm Not A Boring Accountant' - more on the awards here +++++; 

Amy first came to my attention on twitter where she tweets as @amyaccountant and currently describes herself as:

"The Tax Efficient Angel helping entrepreneurs save money with friendly, efficient, flexible accountancy services, wherever you are in the UK"

Amy tells me that when she started her practice she focused on the Mums in Business market (Mumpreneurs) but that she finds herself being drawn to a more diverse band of entrepreneurs who choose to work from home.

I was already considering Amy for an INABA simply by reference to her tweeting style which is very different to most accountants. She tweets about the stuff going on in her professional life but rarely tweets anything overtly promotional. She clearly has a sense of humour and a passion to grow her practice.

Amy recently got in touch which prompted me to also check out her website. This echoes her twitter account and contains some lovely genuine photos and an honest summary of her approach to clients:

Because I’m passionate about numbers and saving money, I love my business. This brings out the best in me, and benefits my clients through tax savings and peace of mind. I am incredibly efficient and this is reflected in my working practices and interaction with clients. 

I’ve had a passion for planning and figures since childhood, and have maintained a great fascination for numbers and mathematical conundrums into adulthood. I use the skills and knowledge I gained during my training to become a chartered accountant every day. This, plus my ability to grasp each of my clients’ unique set of business circumstances, helps me help them save money through efficient tax planning. 

Until 2008, I worked for some of the UK’s top accountancy firms in London and the South East. However, my decision to launch my own accountancy business was based on my desire to spend more time with my children and to provide flexible accountancy services to other growing businesses.

On being advised that she had won an INABA award Amy responded:

"I love standing out from the crowd which sometimes leads to people thinking I am somewhat eccentric, but I think that helps for business anyway!!"

The next #INABAaward goes to Elaine Clark of CheapAccounting.co.uk

This is another (virtual) award of an INABA to an accountant who operates in such a way as to confirm my contention that ‘Boring Is Optional'.

INABA stands for 'I'm Not A Boring Accountant' - more on the awards here++++ 

Elaine Clark is a forthright and feisty lady with firm views about many accountancy related topics. She is MD of CheapAccounting.co.uk and I'm sure no one would ever suggest that she was boring. On the contrary she has successfully built up her business and is widely recognised as a trail blazer in the use of social media within Accountancy. Rather than simply follow the herd she has a clear focus and marketing objectives.

Elaine was included on Accountancy Age's 2012 power list and has won the Woman in Finance category of the Network of Aspiring Women Awards. Elaine's articles are regularly published on a plethora of sites including Accountancy Age, Start up Donut, WiRE, Accounting Web, ICAEW and Business Zone.

I admire Elaine for the way she has persisted with her passion and am constantly impressed by her new ideas, initiatives and activities.

In her own words:

Wow, yes, definitely not a boring accountant because running an accountancy practice means that you have to be so much more than an accountant; especially when that practice is in the Cloud. 

Not only do I need to be a marketeer, a sales person, a PR guru, a writer, a prolific tweeter and goodness knows what else but I have to keep up with all that new fangled technology stuff and re-engineer Practice workings to take advantage of it, keeping costs low so that our client fee very competitive. How else can we be called CheapAccounting.co.uk! 

But mainly I guess I am not boring in many people’s eyes because of my reputation on social media. It’s difficult for me to say just how or why that happened but I am often told that I have a certain persona on twitter. Of course I would add that some of the time I have to wear my “thick skinned” coat to fend off the flack from those that do not find me “their cup of tea”, although recently the noise from the naysayers of the past has been dying down. 

I guess I am like Marmite and luckily I love Marmite!

The next recipient of an #INABAaward is Mike Gordon

This is another (virtual) award of an INABA to an accountant who operates in such a way as to confirm my contention that ‘Boring Is Optional'.

INABA stands for 'I'm Not A Boring Accountant' - more on the awards here++++ 

Mike Gordon (sometimes known as 'Forensic Freddie') is a CIMA qualified forensic accountant with an all too obvious sense of humour.  It is evident to everyone who knows him and it helps rather than hinders his work.

In his own words:

My Accountancy career was boring … until I discovered Ancillary Relief. The effect was ... life changing.☺ Although sounding like an activity practiced by the oldest profession, I was relieved (excuse the double entendre!) to discover that my CIMA qualification and Irish genes seemed ideally suited to resolving issues of quantum and valuation – when seeking to deal with the equitable division of assets on divorce. 

A career as a forensic accountant beckoned. That life changing event also involved marriage to Penny Raby, divorce lawyer. We started Penny Raby & Co in 1995 in Pershore ... a beautiful Georgian town on the edge of the Cotswolds with good transport links for our local and international clients.   

More recently our Harmony House practice has been developed to deal with all aspects of relationship breakdown but our approach is very constructive and creative which leads to negotiated settlements for most matters, even in really complex cases. 

Our experiences in 18 years together in business and in love ... and a previous life in amateur dramatics have created a series of “hit” business presentations such as 'Bridge Over Troubled Water' (around Mediation), 'Help!' (around the McCartney/Mills divorce), and 'Money Money Money .. What’s Yours Worth?' (around Big Money cases). 

Each New Year also sees the rewrite of 'Men Are From Minehead .. Women Are From Weston-super-Mare' (book early to avoid disappointment!) 

So I’ve done forensic .. creative .. dramatic and everenthusiastic. But I’m sure the best is yet to come ..

Mike is also the first nominee for an INABAaward who has supplied appropriate testimonials:

"The description of Mike as an accountant belies something much more - he has an amazing drive, an unmissable personality, and brilliant ideas for inspiring excitement and regeneration, whether that's in business or personal relationships"
Andrew Horder - The Busy Fool

"Mike is without question one of the most impressive people I have met in the last 10 years because of his genuine interest in people, his intellect and his amazing creativity & ability to engage.
Balance, integrity, generosity, discretion & fun are just some of the words I would use to describe Mike. NOT YOUR EVERYDAY ACCOUNTANT!"
Warren Cass - Business Scene

"Mike, or Freddie, seems on first impressions to be something of a networking professional and a magician. But it's more than just a good sales gimmick for his accountancy business - although he's never openly said this, I genuinely believe the only reason Mike is in business is to make people happier"
Steffan Aquarone CEO Droplet

And the last word .. obviously

"Boring Accountancy may have been the passport to his true life’s work .. but it was never going to be a destination"
Penny Raby - The Wife!

The next recipient of an #INABAaward is Paul Castle

This is another (virtual) award of an INABA to an accountant who operates in such a way as to confirm my contention that ‘Boring Is Optional'.

INABA stands for 'I'm Not A Boring Accountant' - more on the awards here++++ 

Paul was nominated by Kapil (Kaps) Kapur of Fingertips Intelligence. Having met Paul a couple of years ago, I would agree he has an unconventional attitude and approach. Once met, never forgotten!

Paul Castle has six staff in his practice 'Castle Heslop'  (Strapline: 'Innovative accountancy') which operates from offices in London and in Biggin Hill.

On learning of his nomination Paul emailed me to say:

"My career path was set early on in my life after visiting a careers advisory officer who identified I did not have the charisma to succeed as an undertaker.  Still I am pleased that unlike a solicitor I know I am boring. 

So I am not sure why I have been considered for this award.  

Perhaps it is because I like people, enjoy getting to understand what makes them tick and most of all I love solving problems.  I am a very positive, pro-active person who believes my work begins after the "numbers" have been done. Most of all I enjoy preventing clients make unnecessary donations to the HMRC. 

My motto "a positive mind may not solve all your problems but it will annoy enough people to make it worth it".

I then spoke to Paul to get some more serious insights:

Perhaps it is because I like people, enjoy getting to understand what makes them tick and most of all I love solving problems.  I am a very positive, pro-active person who believes my work begins after the "numbers" have been done. Most of all I enjoy preventing clients make unnecessary donations to the HMRC. 

I think a genuine interest in people and business and a lifelong fascination with entrepreneurship means that I see beyond the numbers.  As an accountant I understand the importance of costs, profits, and return on capital employed, but I also understand that profit is a consequence of the right people doing the right things most of the time.  It is the "people" aspect of business that interests me most and not the numbers.  Why are some people ( the lucky few) so good at making money so effortlessly?  This is the question that interests me most. 

I don't believe people/accountants are boring, but some people struggle to communicate their uniqueness because of their natural reserve, their awkwardness, and their inability to put others at ease.  I am respectful of other people, slow to judge, and keep an open mind and work hard to find a common interest with whoever I am speaking with.  A lack of cynicism and a desire to learn help me to dig deep to identify client problems and find holistic solutions often by introducing others with skills different to my own.    

At my core I like people and love their many different ways of viewing the world.  This is why social media is such a natural place for me to express myself.  Asking questions, engaging prospects in debate, banter, humour is not work for me but a form of play.  I am not afraid to express my opinion and don't worry whether people like me.  I think too many people are held back by their fear of people not liking them. My view is that there will always be people that like you and others that don't.  The most important thing is to be true to yourself.

And the #INABAaward goes to: A singing accountant

I announce the (virtual) award of INABAs to accountants who operate in such a way as to confirm my contention that ‘Boring Is Optional'.

INABA stands for 'I'm Not A Boring Accountant' - more on the awards here++++ 

Louise Herrington combines an unusual range of skills including that of being Professional Singer, Bookkeeper, Chartered Accountant specialising in systems and processes and a Videographer. Her practice name is 'Performance Accountancy' and she specialises in providing bookkeeping and accounting services to self-employed musicians and singers.

I first came across Louise when I was directed to her promotional video which I featured on this blog last week: Now that's what I call a singing accountant!

Louise tells me:

When people talk about me in a referral basis, I seem to get referred to as an accountant with a fun personality and who is not worried about clambering through trade vans trying to find receipts, clearing clients' filing that had not be done for a few years, and really enjoying the work with them. 

The fact that I am also a professional opera singer means I can relate to the more creative clients. 

No I don’t start singing Wagner at my clients premises – unless they ask me of course.

If you are or know an accountant you want to nominate for an INABA, please check the (very simple) criteria here and then let me know via my website: www.BookMarkLee.co.uk 
If I agree I will then ask them to send me a few words setting out their perspective on how they evidence that they're not boring on a day to day basis, and how this is evident to their clients. 

Brian Burke of Ashleys accountants in Hitchin wins #INABAaward

I announce the (virtual) award of INABAs to accountants who operate in such a way as to confirm my contention that ‘Boring Is Optional'.

INABA stands for 'I'm Not A Boring Accountant' - more on the awards here++++

Brian Burke was proposed for the award by Simon Chaplin, who simply pointed me at a recent Ashleys accountants' video which I then featured on this blog last week. This prompted me to get in touch with Brian. I also took a look at some of Brian's many other youtube videos containing: "Bite sized chunks [of business advice] to help you grow your business". These videos quickly confirmed that Brian has a larger than life personality and does not conform to the old stereotype. Far from it in fact.

Brian says:

"I have always taken the view that as we spend most of our weekday waking life at work we should have some fun in what we do especially as our field is considered somewhat dry and boring"

"I thus tend to spend my time devising as many off the wall marketing strategies as I can both for Clients but also for team members and am proud to say our retention levels are way above the ordinary small firm... If you like it produces that warm glow from [our long-term staff] and I must say the bedside manner especially from our tax department is second to none."

"I guess we just want to treat our people as ordinary responsible individuals (accountancy seems to attract ‘em !) so we are totally transparent as a firm figure wise …We produce a monthly one page plan which shows all our key drivers, soft drivers, goals, vision, team happiness etc and this in turn is presented by everyone in the firm even the most junior members so they understand it and appreciate what it means."

"We also reward our teams when targets are met ..over the past 5 years we have had days out to Germany, Ireland (God bless those 1p flights ), York, Bath and Cambridge as well as various local and London shows....We also try and raise a bit for Charity (the local hospice is our main recipient ) with the Ashleys Ball and an 'It’s a knock out' competition …. 

Individually we reward team members who make a client introduction with 20% of first year fee ....We have just run the Xmas advent calendar which spews out tenners and twenties plus the odd booby prize on a daily basis …you have to roll a dice and the highest number wins ..the roll off is at 8 20 am and you have to be there to win it  we begin work at 8.30  so you can see there is a method to the madness."

"I am passionate that the whole basis of success in the small firm accountancy world is to have a strong, committed and loyal team and this can only be done by constant nurturing from the leadership ...If it is not meant the team will soon realize and the whole thing can implode very quickly. IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE “FINANCIAL“ REWARD EITHER....PEOPLE JUST APPRECIATE BEING APPRECIATED, and I hope that Ashleys will continue to make that one of their main goals".

"On a personal note I keep myself sane by writing and playing music (Irish folk mainly ..though I did do the lyrics for our ad ) and also am President of our local Rugby club"  

There are currently 17 of Brian's videos for Ashleys on youtube. In the first one he looks a lot more conventional than he does in the more recent ones. If you only watch that one you may wonder why I think Brian deserves an INABA.  All I will say is watch some of the others when he's not stuck behind his desk!

If you know san accountant who may qualify for an INABA, please check the (very simple) criteria here and then let me know via my website: www.BookMarkLee.co.uk

And the INABA award this week goes to...a goth accountant

This is the first in what I hope will be regular (virtual) awards ‘presented’ to accountants who operate in such a way as to confirm my contention that ‘Boring Is Optional’.. . More on the awards here:

J. ‘Psyche’ Coderre MAAT, is a 20-year veteran of the goth/alternative scene. She created her website, Death and Taxes in 2009. When she says she's focused on keeping clients in the 'black' she means it literally! Not only is her website different. She is obviously deserving of an INABA (it stands for 'I'm Not A Boring Accountant').

Psyche (sy-kee) tells me that:

Most alternative types, as they progress through life, are faced with a choice: Change your appearance, or accept that your career choices may be somewhat limited. Many of us fear experiencing the fate of Richmond from "The IT Crowd", whose adoption of goth fashion saw him banished to the office basement. However, I quite like my hair purple.

When I completed my AAT qualification in 2009, I wasn't looking forward to removing my piercings, dyeing my hair a normal colour, suiting up and joining a City firm. The option of going into practice -- where, as the boss, I could set my own dress code -- seemed far more appealing. As did the prospect of working with other alternative types like myself, who were running their own micro-businesses and seeking to earn a living outside of the corporate culture. 

Death and Taxes was the obvious name for a goth accountancy firm. The logo of the Grim Reaper with a calculator immediately suggested itself, and I commissioned the design from an artist who had previously created flyers for the club night I used to run in Washington, D.C. 

I wasn't sure how well it would go over; whether, in spite of the humorous branding, I'd be seen as someone people would want to bring business to. But due to the nature of accountancy selling itself mainly through word-of-mouth, this wasn't an issue I experienced. And word-of-mouth travels very well within the close-knit alternative scene. 

Once word got around that "one of us" was offering accountancy services, people from across the scene started contacting me. 

It's not just goths who have responded well to Death and Taxes. I'm often greeted by "I love that name!" when ringing HMRC with a query. 

People don't expect a stereotypically "dull" accountant to have a sense of humour. 

It's also aided my practice by making it memorable. It's easy to forget whether the accountants your friend recommended six months ago were Smith and Jones Accountants or Jones and Smith Accountants, but everyone remembers Death and Taxes! 

Another advantage is that when meeting a client for the first time, I am very easy to spot. 

I'm also probably one of the very few accountancy firms to be selling its own branded merchandise. 

I love watching new people I meet do double takes when they ask what I do, and I tell them I'm an accountant. I love subverting the "boring accountant" stereotype!

If you know someone who may qualify for an INABA, please check the (very simple) criteria here and then let me know via my website: www.BookMarkLee.co.uk