Accountants' Success Secrets

Mark Lee Philippa Haynes

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. Accountants' Success Secrets with Jonathan Amponsah of the Tax Guys

    2d ago

    Accountants' Success Secrets with Jonathan Amponsah of the Tax Guys

    Welcome to episode 105 of Accountants’ Success Secrets! This week, Mark Lee and Philippa Haynes are joined by Jonathan Amponsah, founder of The Tax Guys, an award-winning accountancy practice started back in 2008 with just grit, Google Ads, and no clients to his name. We’ll dive into Jonathan Ampensar’s journey from financial controller to multi-qualified adviser (he’s even a barrister!), explore how the Tax Guys got their memorable name from the very public they serve, and discuss the twists and turns of running a modern practice, from winning prestigious awards to the real struggles of recruitment. You’ll hear about Jonathan Amponsah’s people-first approach, the lesson of humanising the numbers, and why it’s sometimes better for accountants to leave business development to those with the right personality for it. We’ll also get a taster of how AI is shaking up the industry—and how Jonathan Amponsah is using it ethically to deliver faster, better client service. So whether you’re a new accountant, a seasoned pro, or just fancy a little inspiration (and a reminder it’s not all about the numbers), settle in for another lively, practical episode packed with real stories and lessons you won’t want to miss. 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
  2. Accountants' Success Secrets with Andy Smith of Abbeygate Accountancy

    May 20

    Accountants' Success Secrets with Andy Smith of Abbeygate Accountancy

    Welcome to episode 104 of the Accountants' Success Secrets podcast! This week, your co-hosts Mark Lee and Philippa Haynes are joined by Andy Smith, founder of Applegate Accountancy. Andy’s journey is anything but typical—think plot twists, a “business 2.0” reboot, and yes, five children (harder to keep up with than HMRC deadlines). From starting a practice as a finance director with zero blueprint (“I made every mistake going!” as Andy admits), to selling up, resetting, and building a firm recognised for outstanding advisory and client care, Andy shares the real highs, lows, and lessons learned. We dive into how he rebuilt better, why over-servicing can be a strategy (not a stumble), and the simple magic of rolling out the red carpet for every client that walks through the virtual door. If you’re an accountant who’s ever wanted to say no to the wrong client, price for value, or communicate in a way clients remember—not just nod along at—this episode is sure to inspire. Plus, we promise a fair dose of relatable laughs and a few insights you’ll want to apply straight 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

    36 min
  3. Accountants' Success Secrets with Jem Buitenhaus of Accounting Gem Ltd

    May 6

    Accountants' Success Secrets with Jem Buitenhaus of Accounting Gem Ltd

    This week, the Accountants' Success Secrets podcast features Jem Buitenhaus, founder of Accounting Gem Limited – a firm that started as a family-run bookkeeping outfit in Ipswich and has grown into a thriving practice supporting owner-managed businesses across Suffolk and Essex. After a career jump from the Army to computer engineering (with a detour flipping burgers with the BT redundancy crew!), Jem Butenhaus was roped into bookkeeping by his mum. He didn’t love it at first, but with a bit of serendipity, a ten-year vision, and the odd adventure behind a wakeboarding boat, Jem built a team of 10 and created a business that’s the envy of many lifestyle practitioners. In this episode, co-hosts Philippa Haynes and Mark Lee delve into: From Wakeboarding to Work Ethic: How breaking a leg on a lake pushed Jem to turn a lifestyle business into a growth-focused practice ✨The Secret Sauce of Team Culture: Why hiring for personality (not just qualifications) injected new energy—and laughter—into the officeTrue Lessons from Costly Mistakes: How moving away from hourly billing saved hundreds of thousands, and why HR woes are a whole different stress ballIf you’re running a small firm, questioning how to scale, or simply keen to discover refreshing honesty about the highs and lows of building a practice, Jem Butenhaus’s story will strike a chord. Give it a listen, share your favourite moment, and don’t forget to subscribe for more tips and real-world stories from the UK’s most interesting accountants! 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
  4. Accountants' Success Secrets with Richie Lennon of Around Finance

    Apr 22

    Accountants' Success Secrets with Richie Lennon of Around Finance

    In this week’s episode, we’re joined by Richie Lennon – founder of Around Finance and one of Ireland’s brightest finance leaders. Richie’s background is anything but ordinary: he’s a Chartered Accountant, qualified CPA, certified digital marketing professional, and brings years of hands-on experience as a CFO for tech, agency and e-commerce firms. From Galway to Dublin (with a virtual office in between), Richie’s firm now supports hundreds of ambitious businesses right across Ireland and beyond. In this fast-paced conversation, co-hosts Philippa Haynes and Mark Lee FCA draw out the big lessons Richie’s learnt on his journey from humble beginnings with 13 beauty therapists as clients, to running an agile, pod-based team of specialists, and winning multiple industry awards. Accountants in practice – here’s a taste of what awaits: The “one arse, one horse” rule – why focus changed everything for Richie and his practiceTurning on the marketing lights: How Richie broke out of ‘winking in a dark room’ and grew his reputation fastBuilding the right team (and knowing when to part ways): honest lessons in recruitment and culture fitIf you want advice on scaling your firm, working with fast-growth businesses, and future-proofing your practice, this episode is packed with stories, practical strategies, and more than a few laughs along the way. Tune in, leave a review, and share with your fellow accountants! 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

    33 min

  5. Apr 16

    Accountants' Success Secrets Reflections for April

    This week’s 100th episode is a special milestone for the Accountants’ Success Secrets podcast, co-hosted by brand expert Philippa Haynes and mentor Mark Lee FCA. Reflecting on three years and 80 inspiring guests, Philippa and Mark take a lively look back at the professional journeys and success secrets of accountants who've built thriving practices through very different – sometimes quirky – routes. Hear how Joanne Bell, Managing Director of Bell’s Accountants in Kent, grew her practice from humble beginnings (mortgage struggles and all!) to a successful, acquisition-ready business by nurturing a culture of learning and evolution—proof that it’s perfectly fine not to know it all at the start! This extra-special episode is jam-packed with practical wisdom and laugh-out-loud honesty, including: Headliners To timesheet or not to timesheet: Innovative alternatives to tracking staff efficiency—why green, yellow, and red cells in Excel might be all you need.The “Lego approach” to practice growth: Breaking apart what works and rebuilding it stronger, with lessons from Dan Healan’s dynamic, experiment-driven business philosophy.AI: April Fool or game changer? What happens when an accountant builds a practice made up of 11 AI teammates—and what all of us can learn from it.With bonus reflections on client handholding, niche expertise, pricing pitfalls, and why your communication style might matter even more than your technical chops, this landmark episode offers a candid, energising distillation of what truly drives long-term success in accountancy. If you’re an accountant who wants to future-proof your career, get real about practice life (and maybe, just maybe, enjoy the ride), tune in and join Philippa and Mark for their most insightful—and entertaining—episode yet. Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share the love with your network! 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

    49 min
  6. Accountants' Success Secrets with Alexis Kingsbury

    Apr 1

    Accountants' Success Secrets with Alexis Kingsbury

    Welcome to Episode 98 of the Accountants' Success Secrets podcast! This week, Speaker A and Speaker B bring you an episode with a twist. On this April 1st recording, they welcome Alexis Kingsbury, the founder of Accrual Intentions—the world’s first accountancy firm staffed entirely by AI bots, except for Alexis himself! Most weeks, the show features accountants with years of experience running their practice. Today, Alexis stands out with just five weeks under his belt, but a unique story. Inspired by conversations at Accountex 2025 and his own book, Accrual Intentions, Alexis launched an ambitious experiment to explore how far AI can go in transforming the accounting profession. Expect laughter, curiosity, and plenty of “April fool?” moments as Alexis explains the motivation behind his firm, the lessons learned, and what UK accountants of every age can take away from his journey. From practical tips to mindset shifts, this episode promises inspiration, surprises, and actionable insights for accountants at any stage of their career. 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

    43 min
  7. Accountants' success Secrets with Dan Heelan of Heelan Associates

    Mar 25

    Accountants' success Secrets with Dan Heelan of Heelan Associates

    Welcome to episode 97 of Accountants' Success Secrets, where Mark Lee and Philippa Haynes chat with inspiring practitioners about what makes a thriving accountancy firm. This week, we’re joined by Dan Heelan, founder of Heelan Associates, who shares his journey from retail management (and a childhood aversion to accountancy!) to leading a team of 40 and growing a hugely successful practice in Hampshire. Dan reveals everything from his early days working in his mum’s conservatory, to lessons learned about business, client service, and the power of social media—plus why making YouTube videos has become his unlikely passion. Together, our hosts explore the highs, lows, and key learnings that have shaped Dan’s approach to growth, systems, team culture, and pricing. Whether you’re a sole practitioner, seasoned partner, or just dipping a toe into the world of accounting, you’ll discover practical secrets and insights to help you build a stronger, more sustainable practice. So grab your favourite brew, settle in, and get ready for another dose of Accountants’ Success Secrets! 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

    33 min

  8. Mar 18

    Accountants' Success Secrets with Jo Bell of Bells Accountants

    Welcome to another episode of Accountants' Success Secrets! This week, your hosts Mark Lee and Philippa Haynes sit down with Joanne Bell, Managing Director of Bells Accountants in Kent. From accidentally falling into the world of accountancy to leading a thriving, multi-office practice with around 30 staff and winning top industry accolades, Jo shares her inspiring journey. You'll hear how Jo started out just trying to make ends meet during the 2008 housing crash, and how an early mentor helped steer her towards building the successful firm she runs today. This episode is packed with honest stories of growing pains, learning from mistakes, and the realities of acquisitions—warts and all! Plus, she dives into financial education, the importance of team culture, and balancing effective delegation with staying involved. If you want practical insights, uplifting stories, and a few laughs, this is one for your playlist. And, as always, if you have your own accountant's story to tell, Mark Lee and Philippa Haynes would love to hear from 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

    36 min
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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
    102
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Accountants' Success Secrets
  • Show Website
    Accountants' Success Secrets