UK Enterprise Awards 2026/ 44 Business Support & Advisory Firm of the Year 2026 Beatriz Jardim launched Directive Finance Ltd (Directive Finance) in 2022 as a remote, one-woman operation, the vision being to build something different: a practice that puts people first, that treats every client – whether they’re turning over £50k or £5m – with the same level of care, attention, and ambition. Now four years on, Directive Finance has a growing team, a loyal client base, and a community of more than 1,000 local business owners leveraging its Wallingford-based networking group to connect. As a female founder in an historically male-dominated profession, Beatriz has made incredible strides with Directive Finance, so we speak to the lady herself to gain deeper insight into the business and what makes it so successful. Today, Directive Finance is an award-winning boutique accountancy practice that primarily works with growing owner-managed businesses seeking more than just compliance, but to form a partnership with a proactive financial advisor that is entirely invested in their success. For its clients, Directive Finance becomes a full virtual finance department, giving them access to services that include bookkeeping, accounts, tax, payroll, VAT, and advisory support all under one roof, without the overhead of an in-house team. The business’ client base spans a broad range of sectors, and it reliably provides them with a service that is transparent, approachable, and completely hands-on. Speaking about her business, Beatriz says, “I am incredibly proud of what we have built and even more excited about where we are going. “Building a business from scratch, on your own terms, while staying true to your values is not always easy, but it is absolutely worth it. I hope Directive Finance is proof of that. “To any business owner reading this who feels like they are flying blind when it comes to their finances, we are here, and we would love to help. You deserve an accountant who is as invested in your success as you are.” Indeed, Directive Finance keeps the business owner at the heart of everything it does. It not only acts for their business, but it takes a personal approach that puts the person behind it at the very front and centre. At the foundation of this are core values of empowerment, visibility, and peace of mind; the company wants every client to feel like a weight has been lifted off their shoulders, so they are stress-free, confident, and comfortable – not just about their accounts, but about their future, too. It’s about putting them in control of their numbers, giving them the means to see that their hard work is paying off, and that both their professional and personal goals are aligned. “We want them to feel rewarded by their business and to have complete clarity over where they stand financially at any given moment,” says Beatriz. “Seeing client lives genuinely change over the time we work with them never gets old.” “Accountancy does not have to feel intimidating, transactional, or out of reach. For too long, small business owners have been handed a set of numbers once a year and left to figure out what they mean. We exist to change that.” Crucial toward the business’ incredible success is, of course, its small, close-knit team. Beatriz tells us that when recruiting new members, culture fit is non-negotiable – Clients trust the firm with some of the most important aspects of their lives and businesses, thus, it is essential that team members possess attributes of empathy, integrity, and the ability to communicate complex information in a way that is human and accessible. From there, it is committed to actively supporting each team member professionally through ongoing training and encouraging involvement in a wide range of client work, from bookkeeping to advisory, and ensuring that no one is pigeonholed. As the practice grows, so too do the roles within it. Additionally, the firm is currently building out a profit share scheme that will reward the team directly based on the revenue and results they help to generate, because it believes that when the business wins, everyone should win. There is also a key internal focus on flexibility and wellbeing, with Beatriz saying, “We know that people do their best work when their job fits their life, not the other way around. That has always been central to how we operate, and it will remain so no matter how much we grow.” Now, the future is looking very bright for Directive Finance, with an exciting period of growth ahead and a lot in the pipeline. Beatriz reveals plans to grow the team with intention, so it can take on more clients, deliver an even higher level of service, and free up capacity for advisory work – all without compromising on the boutique, personal experience the business is renowned for. Beatriz concludes, “Ultimately, the vision for the next two years is to cement Directive Finance as the go-to boutique practice for growing businesses in Oxfordshire and beyond, a practice that is as ambitious as the clients we serve.” Company name: Directive Finance Ltd Contact name: Beatriz Jardim Website: www.directivefinance.co.uk
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