The Firm

Sarah Lawrence, founder and CEO of Hot Toast, discusses her journey in working with small to medium businesses in the creative and fast growth tech spaces. She emphasizes the importance of building relationships and adding value to clients. Sarah shares her approach to personal branding, which involves being the expert in her field, attending industry events, and collaborating with others. She als...

Episode Summary In this episode, James Gosling hosts a discussion with Scott Heath, CEO of DJH, about the evolving landscape of accountancy and the transformative role of private equity. Scott shares insights from his journey, detailing how DJH scaled from a regional practice to a top industry player through strategic growth, talent investment, and private equity backing. The conversation covers t...

Episode Summary In this episode, James Gosling hosts a conversation with Pippa Miller-Hawkes and Allan Wilson, who share their insights into the challenges and strategies around succession planning in the accounting industry. They discuss the importance of nurturing the next generation of leaders, adapting to post-COVID culture shifts, and the role of employee ownership in modern firms. With examp...

Episode Summary In this episode, James Gosling interviews Jonathon Dickens about the intricate process of acquisitions in the M&A space. They walk through each step, from the initial introductory meeting, where trust is built, to the negotiation of the offer and drafting of heads of terms. Jonathon provides insights on sharing financial and non-financial information, performing legal and finan...

Episode Summary In this episode, John Holliday, owner of Pocknolls, joins James Gosling to discuss the intricacies of post-completion integration in mergers and acquisitions within the accounting industry. They explore key factors for successful integration, including team cohesion, branding, client retention, and cultural alignment. John shares lessons from past acquisitions and emphasises the im...

Episode Summary In this episode, Allan Koltin and James Gosling dive into the evolving M&A landscape within the accounting profession, examining trends in the US and UK. They discuss the significant influence of private equity, the challenges of succession planning, and the intensifying war for talent. The conversation also covers the role of technology in streamlining compliance tasks, the po...

Episode Summary In this episode, Nikki and Nigel Adams of Ad Valorem join James to discuss the evolving landscape of acquisitions in the accounting industry. They delve into the impact of private equity, the importance of cultural alignment in mergers, and the challenges and opportunities for independent firms amidst increasing regulatory pressures and technological advancements. The conversation...