Accountants' Success Secrets

Mark Lee Philippa Haynes
  • 0.0 (0)
  • BUSINESS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

The Accountants’ Success Secrets podcast showcases and celebrates successful accountants who are doing good things, have years of experience and whose stories can inspire and encourage other accountants around the UK.

  1. 2D AGO

    Accountants' Success Secrets Reflections

    Welcome to another episode of Accountants' Success Secrets! This week, hosts Philippa Haynes and Mark Lee are celebrating a milestone—it's the 90th edition of the podcast, and they're serving up one of their signature reflections episodes. If you're an accountant or bookkeeper looking for real, practical insights you can use, you're in the right place. Philippa and Mark take a look back at the last four guest interviews, distilling the best lessons, biggest surprises, and honest advice from peers who've walked the walk. Expect discussions about rapid practice growth, building rapport with clients, handling technology (without getting carried away), and finding that elusive work-life balance—even if that means working just 27 hours a week! You'll hear stories from accountants who've chosen their own paths—whether that's refusing to follow so-called 'gurus', focusing on business success rather than just technical work, or daring to raise their fees. Plus, there are plenty of practical nuggets for anyone thinking about risk management, hiring the right people, or making sure your marketing feels true to you. So, whether you're just starting out, or you've been in practice for decades, grab a cuppa and join Philippa and Mark for straightforward conversations, relatable advice, and a laugh or two along the way. Let’s get started! The Accountants' Success Secrets is sponsored by Pinnacle Global Group, a trusted outsourcing partner with over 100 clients in the UK and Ireland. To find out more please visit: www.pinnacleoss.co.uk a part of www.pinnacleglobalgroup.com _________________________________________________________________ Interested in becoming a Patreon for exclusive content for just the price of a coffee? Follow the link here for more details and sign up: www.patreon.com/accountantssuccesssecret

    37 min
  2. Accountants' Success Secrets with Sam Draper of SML Accountants

    JAN 28

    Accountants' Success Secrets with Sam Draper of SML Accountants

    Welcome to episode 89 of Accountants' Success Secrets! This week, Mark Lee and Philippa Haynes are joined by Sam Draper, founder of The Small Business Accountant in Tufnell Park, London. Sam started his practice right at the height of lockdown in 2020, juggling a tiny baby at home and a big leap from industry into practice. In this episode, Sam shares how his background as a financial controller shaped his approach to working with small creative businesses, and why self-awareness and finding the right clients are key ingredients to happiness and growth. We’ll hear about gritty learning curves (hello practice management software!) and why running a firm is a bit like dating. From picking clients he’d happily join for a coffee or a pint, to balancing work with quality family time, Sam’s journey offers plenty of honest reflection and practical wisdom. Plus, Philippa Haynes and Mark Lee dive into the realities of niching, handling growth, and the lessons accountants wish they’d learned sooner. If you’re considering setting up your own practice, wondering how to grow without losing your sanity, or just fancy hearing Sam’s five-good, five-bad monthly review technique, you’re in for an inspiring, relatable listen! The Accountants' Success Secrets is sponsored by Pinnacle Global Group, a trusted outsourcing partner with over 100 clients in the UK and Ireland. To find out more please visit: www.pinnacleoss.co.uk a part of www.pinnacleglobalgroup.com _________________________________________________________________ Interested in becoming a Patreon for exclusive content for just the price of a coffee? Follow the link here for more details and sign up: www.patreon.com/accountantssuccesssecret

    34 min
  3. Accountants' Success Secrets with Debbie Warburton of GW Accountants

    JAN 21

    Accountants' Success Secrets with Debbie Warburton of GW Accountants

    Welcome to another episode of Accountants' Success Secrets, where we dive into the journeys of accountants who are making a real impact in the profession. This week, hosts Philippa Haynes and Mark Lee are joined by the award-winning Debbie Warburton, who leads GW Accountants and Business Advisors in Penryn, Cornwall. After starting her career at just 17, Debbie Warburton has worked her way up from practice manager to firm owner—guiding her team and clients through everything from partnership transitions to the pandemic and beyond. In this episode, you'll hear about her approach to technology, how she created a client-focused practice, and the people lessons learned along the way. There's plenty of banter, some hard-won wisdom, and a touch of Cornish charm. Whether you're launching your own practice or have been in the game for years, this episode is packed with practical insights, honest reflections, and plenty of laughs. So grab a brew and get comfortable—let's uncover the secrets behind Debbie Warburton's success and what you can take away for your own accountancy journey! The Accountants' Success Secrets is sponsored by Pinnacle Global Group, a trusted outsourcing partner with over 100 clients in the UK and Ireland. To find out more please visit: www.pinnacleoss.co.uk a part of www.pinnacleglobalgroup.com _________________________________________________________________ Interested in becoming a Patreon for exclusive content for just the price of a coffee? Follow the link here for more details and sign up: www.patreon.com/accountantssuccesssecret

    40 min
  4. Accountants' Success Secrets with Chris Maslin of Maslin Ltd

    JAN 14

    Accountants' Success Secrets with Chris Maslin of Maslin Ltd

    Welcome to another episode of Accountants' Success Secrets! This week, hosts Mark Lee and Philippa Haynes sit down with Chris Maslin, founder of Maslins Ltd, for an inspiring conversation you won’t want to miss. Chris shares the journey of starting his own practice in his mid-20s, after working in larger firms and always asking, “Why do we do it this way?” From knocking on doors to land his first clients, to embracing online accounting platforms like FreeAgent early on, Chris explains how he found his niche supporting UK freelancers and contractors—and why following the tide led to his firm’s success. But that’s not all: Chris dives into his bold decision to hand over control of Maslins to an Employee Ownership Trust (EOT). He’s open about the challenges and unexpected twists along the way, sharing what it’s really like to step back and empower the team he’s built from the ground up. Whether you’re just starting out or contemplating the next stage for your practice, this episode is packed with practical lessons, honest mistakes, and a refreshing look at building a values-driven accounting business. Get ready to be inspired, entertained, and maybe even rethink what the future of accountancy could look like! The Accountants' Success Secrets is sponsored by Pinnacle Global Group, a trusted outsourcing partner with over 100 clients in the UK and Ireland. To find out more please visit: www.pinnacleoss.co.uk a part of www.pinnacleglobalgroup.com _________________________________________________________________ Interested in becoming a Patreon for exclusive content for just the price of a coffee? Follow the link here for more details and sign up: www.patreon.com/accountantssuccesssecret

    35 min
  5. Accountants' Success Secrets with Rachael Chadwick-Harrison of Chadwick Accountants

    JAN 7

    Accountants' Success Secrets with Rachael Chadwick-Harrison of Chadwick Accountants

    Welcome back to Accountants' Success Secrets! In this week's episode, Mark Lee and Philippa Haynes are joined by the award-winning Rachel Chadwick-Harrison, founder of Chadwick Accountants and Bookkeepers in Bidford on Avon. With a background that spans financial services and rapid-growth businesses, Rachel shares how she built her thriving firm – starting from the humble beginnings of part-time bookkeeping and evolving into a team of sixteen. She reveals why she left the toxic cultures of the corporate world to create a positive, supportive working environment – and how that ethos drives both her practice’s rapid growth and a loyal client base. Rachel discusses the ups and downs of practice ownership, from making bold choices in marketing and technology, to learning the value of client relationships and setting boundaries with ideal clients. Whether you’re just starting out or already running a growing accountancy firm, you’ll find plenty of practical advice, stories, and relatable moments in this episode – plus a few laughs at our own growing pains! Tune in as we explore what really makes an accountant successful, the lessons learned along the way, and Rachel’s secrets to choosing clients, building a team, and staying ahead of the curve. The Accountants' Success Secrets is sponsored by Pinnacle Global Group, a trusted outsourcing partner with over 100 clients in the UK and Ireland. To find out more please visit: www.pinnacleoss.co.uk a part of www.pinnacleglobalgroup.com _________________________________________________________________ Interested in becoming a Patreon for exclusive content for just the price of a coffee? Follow the link here for more details and sign up: www.patreon.com/accountantssuccesssecret

    37 min

  6. 12/17/2025

    Accountants' Success Secrets Reflections Episode

    Welcome to another episode of Accountants' Success Secrets! In this special Reflections Edition, Philippa Haynes and Mark Lee take a look back at the standout moments from some of their most recent interviews. Together, they chat openly about what resonated with them—both personally and professionally—drawing lessons from the journeys of inspiring accountants and bookkeepers. This episode dives into the real reasons practitioners start and build their firms, with stories of clarity, resilience, and the all-important power of showing up (even when you’d rather hit snooze). As always, Philippa Haynes and Mark Lee serve up plenty of practical advice—think understanding the true meaning of “know, like, and trust”, the significance of brand and story, and why accountancy is first and foremost a people business. Whether you’re after encouragement, insights for your own journey, or simply a bit of light-hearted conversation, you’ll find it here. So, grab a cuppa, get comfy, and enjoy the latest reflections from the Accountant Success Secrets team. The Accountants' Success Secrets is sponsored by Pinnacle Global Group, a trusted outsourcing partner with over 100 clients in the UK and Ireland. To find out more please visit: www.pinnacleoss.co.uk a part of www.pinnacleglobalgroup.com _________________________________________________________________ Interested in becoming a Patreon for exclusive content for just the price of a coffee? Follow the link here for more details and sign up: www.patreon.com/accountantssuccesssecret

    36 min
  7. Accountants' Success Secrets with Kasia Machalinski of Prevail Accountancy

    11/26/2025

    Accountants' Success Secrets with Kasia Machalinski of Prevail Accountancy

    This week’s episode features Kasia Machalinski, the multi-award-winning founder of Prevail Accountancy in Rochdale. Kasia’s journey is both inspiring and refreshing—moving to the UK from Poland with a master’s in economics, she’s become a CIMA-qualified accountant with a knack for supporting construction SMEs. Her specialist know-how in project costing and business planning is matched only by her passion for climbing actual mountains in her spare time! Joining co-hosts Philippa Haynes and Mark Lee, Kasia reveals hard-won lessons from over 16 years in the sector, including: 1. From Bookkeeping to Board Meetings: Kasia describes how she found her true niche by combining hands-on management accounting with cloud technology, turning once reluctant clients into devoted fans of financial planning. 2. Getting Through Tough Times: Discover how Kasia built resilience—both as a single mum and an entrepreneur—while overcoming obstacles that would stop most of us in our tracks (including literally surviving a mountaineering accident!). 3. Mistakes Are for Learning: Hear Kasia’s mindset shifts and why she sees mistakes not as failures, but as experiences that happen for us—not to us. Packed with practical takeaways, honest advice, and a dash of true grit, this is an episode every accountant in practice can learn from—especially if you’re determined to build a business as strong as your clients’ foundations. Tune in to Accountants’ Success Secrets, subscribe, and leave a review if Kasia’s story resonates with you. And if you’ve got a story of your own to share, get in touch with Philippa Haynes and Mark Lee. Don’t miss it—your next step up could be just one listen away! The Accountants' Success Secrets is sponsored by Pinnacle Global Group, a trusted outsourcing partner with over 100 clients in the UK and Ireland. To find out more please visit: www.pinnacleoss.co.uk a part of www.pinnacleglobalgroup.com _________________________________________________________________ Interested in becoming a Patreon for exclusive content for just the price of a coffee? Follow the link here for more details and sign up: www.patreon.com/accountantssuccesssecret

    34 min
  8. Accountants' Success Secrets with Emma Willder of Beyond Profit Ltd

    11/19/2025

    Accountants' Success Secrets with Emma Willder of Beyond Profit Ltd

    Emma Willder founded Beyond Profit Ltd and built a thriving accountancy practice focused on the charity sector - with her family at the heart of the team. In this 30 minute episode, Emma shares her story, including the shift from a corporate financial career to finding purpose and balance by helping charities make a difference. As you listen to this episode, you'll...  🔹 Discover how Emma grew her practice by supporting grant-giving charities and offering a fully outsourced finance function. 🔹 Hear Emma’s honest reflections on why “growth for growth’s sake” isn’t always the answer—and how she reshaped Beyond Profit for values, impact, and family. 🔹 Learn practical tips about value-based pricing versus hourly rates, and how to find and keep ideal clients who appreciate your expertise. 🔹 Be inspired by insights into handling redundancies, streamlining your business, and ensuring work is meaningful (and sustainable). 🔹 Gain advice on building strong relationships and trust as a charity sector specialist, and why “saying no” can be the most powerful lesson of all. If you’re an accountant thinking of starting your own practice, wanting to specialise, or seeking more purpose and balance in your career, Emma’s journey will resonate and encourage you. The Accountants' Success Secrets is sponsored by Pinnacle Global Group, a trusted outsourcing partner with over 100 clients in the UK and Ireland. To find out more please visit: www.pinnacleoss.co.uk a part of www.pinnacleglobalgroup.com _________________________________________________________________ Interested in becoming a Patreon for exclusive content for just the price of a coffee? Follow the link here for more details and sign up: www.patreon.com/accountantssuccesssecret

    34 min
See All (89)

About

The Accountants’ Success Secrets podcast showcases and celebrates successful accountants who are doing good things, have years of experience and whose stories can inspire and encourage other accountants around the UK.

Information

  • Creator
    Mark Lee Philippa Haynes
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    89
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Accountants' Success Secrets
  • Show Website
    Accountants' Success Secrets