UK Enterprise 2020

237 | UK Enterprise Awards 2020 Jun20359 Acumist is a rapidly expanding, leading edge accountancy firm that is looking to change the way small businesses engage with their accountants. They consider these relationships as being collaborative, two-way processes that benefit much more than just KPIs or the bottom line for their clients. Operating remotely as a virtual firm for over two decades, Acumist has witnessed a great deal of technological development within its industry, as we found out after taking a closer look at the firm. Acumist is an award-winning, independent cloud accountancy service operating across Europe and the UK. Operating for over twenty-five years, Acumist’s core values are of trust, authenticity and integrity, and centred around customer care. While many organisations are only recently adjusting to working remotely and digitally, Acumist have been functioning in this way for the last twenty years, seeing first-hand how the landscape of virtual communication and centrally based software has evolved for accountancy firms. Although Acumist caters for clients, principally SMEs, across a range of sectors, the majority have polarised into health and beauty and construction, property and related services. The firm is aware of how these two sectors in particular operate and develop and is able to offer experienced advice to clients within these industries, as well as across other sectors. Unlike many accounting practices, to Acumist, being an accountant is not an excuse to hide behind statutory compliance work. Instead, they are dedicated to helping clients design the business they want by using a mixture of coaching and accounting advisory services, all of which are accessible and convenient thanks to their availability within a virtual space. By using accounts as a feedback model and acknowledging why SME’s got into business in the first place, Acumist aids customers as they move towards their business goals. Acumist also wants to keep business fun, as SME’s have established themselves to monetise concepts they are passionate about. Acumist asks why they should detract from the experience with stressful and dull accounting practices. The environment created for the internal Acumist team is centred around this concept and working remotely allows them to operate in a way that works best for them, without the constraints of a 9-5 office. The internal culture is one of trust, integrity and fun, and recruitment revolves around attitude ahead of aptitude. By recruiting personable staff with excellent communication skills, Acumist is able to cultivate a brand culture that centres around friendly but professional service. While the desire to constantly utilise the latest, cutting edge software and tools has often proved challenging for the firm, Acumist has also established strong partnerships with software providers within the industry to ensure they are able to provide the best, most convenient facilities for the Acumist team and their clients. Acumist’s Xero Gold Champion status, alongside the support of other software providers within the industry, equips Acumist with the best tools to operate their clients’ accounting functions efficiently. These collaborative efforts also mean Acumist is able to play a role in the development of software, which is beneficial to providers and the company itself. As accountancy moves away from compliance and towards advisory services as a result of increasingly intelligent software, Acumist have recognised the need to use all the available data to help make decisions and benefit clients’ businesses. Due to this adaptability, Acumist thrived during the recession of 2008/9, as they launched the coaching element of their practice, and they continue to grow in the midst of the current pandemic. It is the focus on client care, that has been established by Acumist’s coaching services, that means Acumist remains in demand even as the UK economy has slowed down in the light of lockdown. Indeed, the outbreak of Coronavirus has only increased awareness of the need for digital companies such as Acumist, who already complete marketing projects, through proposals, engagement and eventual service set-up, via the cloud. This has increased efficiency and productivity, as proposals are now able to be completed and accepted within minutes and hours rather than weeks and months. By operating online, Acumist has been able to continue thriving throughout the pandemic, picking up clients of accountants that have not been able to adapt to the changes so effectively. The increased digitisation of business has been welcome news to Acumist, who already have the systems and culture in place to offer experienced advice on success in this arena. While many accountancy firms struggle to return to normal, Acumist is already investing for the future. Contact: Chris Gascoyne Company: Acumist Web Address: acumist.com Best Cloud Accountancy Service 2020