I think my route into accountancy might be unique. I was offered sponsorship to become a professional snooker player just before completing my final exams for my degree in accounting and finance at the University of South Wales. I had been playing competitively since the age of 13 and done pretty well, being Welsh junior champion on several occasions. I had no ties at the time, so spent three years playing professionally and got to see some amazing places in the world.
Snooker wasn’t in a great place at the time; a lot of money was going out of the game with the loss of alcohol and tobacco sponsorship. After losing a couple of big matches, I decided the time was right to get a proper job, so I became a trainee accountant working in practice in Cardiff while studying for my ACCA exams.
I always had in mind starting my own accountancy practice and this is what I did in 2010. I grew the practice organically, before selling in 2021. Part of my new business – The Accountants’ Table, which I founded in 2022 – involves working with accountants to help them run the practice they want.
My one tip would be to back yourself and be yourself
I have been one of those stressed accountants, often with my head in my hands. Running a practice can be a lonely place, and I wished something like this was around when I started – someone to talk to who had ‘been there and done it’, to mentor me and bounce my ideas off. Seeing the results our members get when they start implementing what we discuss is without doubt the favourite part of my job. I always think ‘good on you’ when I see members having the courage to do something different and get great results.
For those looking to start a practice, my one tip would be to back yourself and be yourself. Having confidence in yourself is one of the hardest things I’ve had to learn. If you had told me when I started my practice in 2010 that I would be doing what I’m doing now, I would have never believed it. We all have our own insecurities. I’ve learned to be able to handle them better when they come along, and I love helping others to do the same.
Clients don’t pay you what you’re worth but what they think you’re worth
It is so important to communicate the value of what you bring as an accountant. Clients don’t pay you what you’re worth but what they think you’re worth. Many practices don’t have a consistent pricing system. We all value things differently, and it is so important to get a system in place that takes account of this.
Outside of work I love nothing more than spending time with my family. It’s so important to realise why you’re working and not let it dominate your life.
