Everything is Changing is a song by Paloma Faith and Sigma, which I love. I was always a grunge man of the mid-90s. Think Nirvana, Pearl Jam and the Smashing Pumpkins. But I’m partial to a banging dance tune, and this is one of those.
Hell down, heaven down
Living in the same town
Tryna find something new
Broken picture frame
I’ve been frozen in
Tryna find a better view
I’m writing about this and how it relates to our accountancy business. How everything is changing in our world, and that will continue. What is more interesting is how these changes impact our clients and future clients. Why are we changing, and how does that impact you? Let’s talk about
- Infrastructure
- People
- Changes in the work we do
- Summary
Infrastructure
Our infrastructure is our office and our website. We started off as two people in a small office in Dunhill, Co. Waterford, 15 years ago. I was in my late 30’s and Ger was in his early 30s. He looks like he’s in his late 30s now, and no comment about how I look. We moved to Tramore 10 years ago and converted a former lighting shop into a brand spanking new office. It’s a much better location for clients and the team here, too. Modern and comfortable, but not perfect either.
Even the office is changing. We are lacking in collaboration space, and the acoustics need improvement. Plus, a few more desks for new team members won’t go astray. David from Officemaster is on the job. I suggested getting rid of the couch at the back of the office, as no one ever sits on it. Horrified at my ridiculous idea, he thought a nice coffee table in front would be a brilliant space for the team. So regular visitors will see a few changes coming to the office. The main reason to do this is to foster greater teamwork. We want this so the environment is more comfortable. More suitable to share ideas and train together in smaller groups.
It’s not only important for us, but we also want a nice office for clients. An office that’s inviting, friendly, and where they feel comfortable calling to. Clients who are met by a welcoming hello and offered a cup of tea. An office that is accessible, and with parking that you don’t have to pay for! Plus, you won’t be stuck in traffic getting to us. And you can enjoy a seagull cake or a nice lunch in the Vee Bistro after too.
Website
15 years ago, we didn’t have a website. 10 years ago, we did, and it was pretty basic. Lots of pictures of models masquerading as accountants made us one of the best-looking accountancy firms in the South East. Although these models were very busy, they were working in lots of other accountancy firms too. It needed a change and badly. We were working with The Profitable Firm at that time, and they scrapped the old one and started afresh. There were a few important things that we wanted on our new site, like
- Our Values
- Your Team. Who you’ll be working with
- How can we help you and
- Information to help you
New Site
The models were gone, and you get to see our real faces. Our values are not only on the website but on the walls of our office too. How we work to nail the numbers for you and how you gain a team to partner with your business. The resources section was a new thing on our site. All the blogs that we do are there, plus other guides and templates. This is free, and we wanted this so
- Clients have access to information about lots of topics
- The team here has access to this information
- Prospect clients would find some of the information useful and make contact
Not only is it a library of resources, but it is part of our marketing strategy to attract new clients. Any prospective client will check us out before they make contact. What’s their website like? Are they active on social media? Is this a serious business that will help me with my problem? As you know, we are very quick to judge, and first impressions count. It has been 5 years since our “new” website came into being. Now it’s time for new photos and a refresh. Another project for 2026.
People
Our people are the team that delivers the services to our clients. We want and need to keep them happy. A happy team member who is valued is motivated to give brilliant service to our clients. To go above and beyond for our clients and who will help their team members at busy times of the year. The quality of the work is top-notch. They protect our clients by ensuring deadlines are met, and areas of concern are looked at and sorted.
Dedicated Manager
Every client has a dedicated manager who is a qualified accountant with tons of experience. From working in larger accounting practices, it is very frustrating when your contact in the firm leaves. Often, you are in limbo and don’t know who is looking after you now that Paddy/Mary has left. That dedicated manager knows your business inside out as she has worked with you for many years. If you don’t get her, you know you’ll get a call back. And you’ll get an answer to your query, too.
How it helps you
The experience and skillset of your contacts here solve your problems. Knowing this stuff is nailed on gives you the confidence and headspace to focus on your business. Thinking of 2025 alone, clients got great help with
- Setting up employers for auto-enrolment
- Revenue meeting to review a client’s business and expense claims
- Revenue RCT reviews
- Management accounts to review numbers and help make decisions based on those
- Company valuations
- Business sales
- Moving from a sole trader to a limited company
- Setting up a new bookkeeping system to nail the numbers
- Help to secure tax refunds
- Getting bank finance to open another shop
Training
Training was one of the areas for improvement that came from our off-site day in Faithlegg at the end of January. We do training, but sometimes we cancel it during busy times. And the topics we train on, while important, are not always the most important issues for clients or us. With this in mind, Brenda sent a sheet to schedule the most important things we need training on now. This gives us a list of priorities for the coming months. As an example, the next three weeks are
- New accounts template, which Éadaoin will do
- VAT – that’s me
- DEXT & VAT – Brenda
The purpose of this is to upskill so that we can deliver a better and more efficient service to clients. Also, that we do VAT returns and company accounts in the same format to help clients and us. This will free up more time to deliver a better service and be available to help clients with their issues.
Changes in the work we do
There are not only changes in the work we do but also changes in how we do the work. We used to do Audits, but not anymore. Why?
We didn’t enjoy that work. It mainly fell on Ger to do it. We hired another auditor, and that didn’t work out. Some clients didn’t see the value in it or understand the level of work. But the main reason is that it wasn’t why we set up the business in the first place. One of the most inspiring business books that I read (I’ll confess that I haven’t read that many) is
Start With Why by Simon Sinek. He explores that businesses that clearly understand why they are in business are better and more successful.
Pharmacy client
Our Why is to help some of the business owners that we are lucky to have as clients. To help them grow, to be a listening ear, to advise and protect them as their business changes. One of our best clients is a pharmacy business that joined us from a Big 4 firm 13 years ago.
What has changed for them and us in that period
- The business passed from the second generation to the next generation. We did that for them.
- The business moved from an independent to being part of a chain
- The shop underwent a huge revamp to modernise it
- Paper accounts files are gone
- Their bookkeeper retired, and we took over
- We put in a new bookkeeping system using Xero & Dext
- We changed their payroll from Micropay to Collsoft
- Six out of ten of us work for him during the year to deliver all his accountancy needs
We do everything for that client, and he is very appreciative of the work. He said to me recently
“Sure, I’d be lost without Aedin”
For me, as a business owner, to hear that about one of the team here is magical. To hear what she is doing for a client is so vital for him.
Paperless
We are not 100% paperless, but we are getting there. Letters to clients still go, but 99.9% are by email. Accounts and tax returns go for signing by Adobe. No paper accounts files. Bookkeeping is in the cloud. ROS offline is gone, and now we have online returns or returns using the ROS preparation facility. AML has gone from paper folders to a cloud facility called AML HQ.
We don’t know anyone in the tax office anymore. It’s all My Enquiries. Taxpayers and their businesses are in different divisions with Revenue
- Personal
- Business
- Medium Enterprise
- Large Cases
Analytics and AI are here to stay. VAT modernisation is on the way. Revenue Audits are no longer random, so If they are contacting you, there’s a reason. Looking at December 2025, Revenue released 33 e-briefs. These are changes in their guides, updating the rules for new budget changes and so on. I don’t know how some accountants keep on top of all this. Constant changes, masses of new information and continuous learning. While it’s a huge challenge, it’s also very interesting to learn new things that help our clients.
Summary
Standing still isn’t an option. If you’re not moving forward, you are dead in the water, and a big shark gobbles you up and spits out your remains! Change is constant in all businesses. We as leaders of our business change. We are looking for ways to do things better, to improve, to stay motivated and be relevant. To drive our team forward and invest in the future so we can remain profitable and have the funds to grow.
Being vital for our clients. Getting a dedicated manager and having certainty about the price they pay us. If the type of service you’re getting “ain’t cool,” come and find us. Cause everything is changing.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>This ain’t real, this ain’t cool
This ain’t what I signed up to
This ain’t right, it’s no good
No good, oh
Everything is changing
And I’ve been here for too long
Going through the same things
I’ve been hurting too long, got to move on
Say I, I can’t do this anymore
If everything is changing
And I know, you’ll find it
If you are looking to change, we’d love to help you and your business. If interested, start here
