The flexible accounting and financial solution for your business. The Finance Department is set to grow with your business…
The Company Foundations – After working for many years as an in-house Financial Director or as a consultant for large accountancy firms, Mike Watts saw an opportunity. For many businesses having an in-house financial team simply isn’t viable, instead businesses often rely almost solely on communication with their Accountant, which often leaves internal team members having to manage day to day accounts. A lack of focus, a lack of accuracy and no foresight, can have a detrimental impact on business transactions and your businesses financial future. It’s time to embrace a new and exciting approach to managing your finances.
The Finance Department set out with a new objective in 2014, which was to shake up the market with a brand new approach to accounting and financial management in business. This is a unique and more flexible solution, which allows business to scale and adapt their financial services simply and easily in line with changing business demands.
Mike Watts
– MANAGING DIRECTOR, ACMA
After completing his Accounting and Finance degree, Mike commenced his career within Central Government before taking the leap into the commercial environment. Mike moved back to Devon to undertake a global reporting role for Nortel Networks, a multinational telecommunications and data networking equipment manufacturer.
When the telecoms bubble burst, Mike realised the opportunity to take his processing and reporting skills gained from working within large organisations to SME’s by becoming the Finance Director (FD) for a local entrepreneurial business services company, Crisp Group.
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During his 10 years as FD within the Crisp Group, Mike provided Non-Executive FD support to Crisp clients across various sectors, including being a key contributor to multiple domestic and international mergers/acquisitions. At the same time, Mike created an outsourced finance offering, which was sold to Francis Clark LLP in August 2012, successfully completed the transition from industry to practice, further clarifying the outsourced offering before finally leaving in August 2013 to re-enter the commercial environment as a Finance Director.
Mike currently provides interim and part time FD support to SME’s and the public sector across the South West in a variety of industries with turnover between £1m and £30m, and also the driving force behind The Finance Department.
Key Skills
- Strong leadership, communication and negotiation skills
- Providing relevant and timely management information
- Analysis and improvement of business processes
- Implementation of new financial systems
- Hands-on and practical approach to financial management
- International, multi-site operations
Mike and his wife have two daughters and enjoy taking full advantage of the local beaches in South Devon.
Jo Watts
– COMMERCIAL DIRECTOR
With 20 years of valuable experience running her own retail business in Torbay, Jo provides commercial on-site support to a variety of companies, typically with less than £1m turnover and 50 employees, with a strong focus on HR and procurement.
Key Skills
- Hands on experience in the Retail sector
- Managing and motivating staff
- Xero Bookkeeping
- Strong negotiation skills
Emma Sturgess
– FINANCE MANAGER, MIAB
Emma is a calming influence on all our clients. Despite often being challenged with tight and important deadlines, Emma always delivers.
Key Skills
- Providing relevant and timely management information
- Preparation and submission of VAT returns
- Preparation and submission of monthly payroll
- Preparation of Statutory Accounts and Corporation Tax Returns
- Xero Certified, and experience in Sage, Quickbooks and Clearbooks
- Great communicator
Teresa Grieve
– FINANCE CONTROLLER, FCCA
Teresa has undertaken various Senior financial roles within Manufacturing, Services, Charities and the Public sectors, during which time she qualified as a Fellow member of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants.
Key Skills
- Analysis and improvement of business processes
- Providing relevant and timely management information
- Mentoring and training of internal staff and sometimes even clients!
- Assisting with technical accounting queries
- Checking Statutory reports for compliance
Sam Moss
– FINANCE ASSISTANT
Sam, provides timely and accurate bookkeeping support alongside studying hard for his final level 4 AAT qualifications and often surprises us with his dry sense of humour.
Key Skills
- Xero Certified
- Accurate Data Input
- Financial Analysis
- Preparation of Month/Year end schedules
- Good Communication Skills
Maja Burska
– FINANCE ASSISTANT
Maja is the youngest member of our bookkeeping team and studying towards her AAT qualification. Maja is always excited to learn something new in both the accounting world and outside of it, and lunch breaks are rarely spent without a book in hand.
Key Skills
- Xero Certified
- Accurate Data Input
- Good communication skills
- Fluent in Polish, German and currently learning BSL
Call us today on 01392 495483
or get in touch for a free quotation today…
Let’s arrange a chat!
Whether you require simple bookkeeping or a full management accounting system – we’d be delighted to discuss your requirements with you. Tell us a little about your project below and we can arrange either a “virtual meeting”, a quick chat or simply send us an message using the simple form below…