Accounting Leaders Podcast

Graeme Tennick is the Founder and Chief Legacy Maker at Tennick Accountants. Before founding his own company, Graeme worked in a small accounting practice and eventually moved to senior roles in PwC and public sector organizations. In this episode, Graeme shares his professional journey, entrepreneurial passion from a young age, and business-first accounting second approach. Graeme and Stuart also discuss an accountant's purpose and the rewarding impact they can have on their clients’ lives.

Together they discuss:

• Graeme’s passion for business at a young age (0:30)
• Graeme’s path to accounting (2:30)
• Thoughts on the UK government (3:30)
• The beginning of Graeme’s business journey (5:30)
• Adopting technology (8:00)
• How Graeme started building structure in his business (9:30)
• Optimizing Karbon at Tennick Accountants (10:30)
• Building a feedback loop with software partners (12:00)
• The rewarding impact on clients’ lives (13:30)
• The story of the client embracing the journey with Tennick Accountants (15:00)
• What makes clients believe in their ability to scale (16:40)
• How the role of accountants has changed (17:50)
• Reframing the negative experience of COVID (19:50)
• How to instill important messages in your team (23:00)
• What’s next for Tennick Accountants (24:00)
• Being honest with clients (28:00)
• Graeme’s favorite cars (30:00)

Gary Bell is the Co-Founder and Partner at FLB Accountants, an independent firm of Chartered Accountants based in the UK. In this episode, Gary and Stuart chat about Gary’s experience attending the first-ever Karbon customer conference in Lake Tahoe, FLB’s rationale for going hybrid, working with high-profile clients such as Apple TV, Netflix, and Amazon, and some exciting projects he’s working on in the renewable energy space.

Together they discuss:

• Gary’s experience at Karbon X (00:30)
• The accounting industry’s growing appetite for change and innovation (2:30)
• Limitations of legacy accounting systems (05:00)
• Accountants as trusted advisors (09:00)
• How FLB provides reporting for clients (11:00)
• Pros and cons of hybrid work (12:00)
• Remote work and company culture (17:00)
• EMEA economy outlook (20:00)
• FLB business divisions (22:45)
• TV, film, and entertainment studio clients (24:30)
• Attract and retain employees with interesting clients (28:00)
• Serving renewable energy clients (29:00)
• The most interesting carbon-neutral project at FLB (31:00)
• Greentech startups (34:10)
• Biotech startups (36:10)
• What Gary and Stuart would do if they weren’t running firms (36:30)
• VC investment and the future of technology (41:00)
• Gary’s plan for the rest of the year (46:00)

Martin Bown is the founder and managing director of My Management Accountant—an accountancy service that works with small businesses across the UK to help them save time and money. In this episode, Martin shares his professional journey, and the story of My Management Accountant and how they operate. Martin and Stuart also discuss his life outside of work, sports, and what it’s like to live in the village.

Together they discuss:

• Martin’s entrepreneurial story (01:40)
• Martin’s family story (03:40)
• Trip to India with the team (05:00)
• When Martin started his own company (07:00)
• Naming his business (09:30)
• The story of Martin’s surname (13:00)
• My Management Accountant today (14:00)
• Work setting at My Management Accountant (15:10)
• Services at My Management Accountant (16:20)
• Tech stack at My Management Accountant (19:20)
• Reporting software (23:20)
• What clients need (26:00)
• What companies My Management Accountant work with (27:10)
• Martin’s life outside of work (30:00)
• Playing cricket (32:00)
• Raising a family in a close-knit village (36:50)
• Playing football and running marathons (38:10)
• What’s next for My Management Accountant (41:40)
• Challenges of raising children with additional needs (44:20)
• Balancing work with family (46:20)

Twyla Verhelst is the Head of FreshBooks Accountant Channel, leading the Accounting Partner Program, and has been recognized as one of Ignition’s Top 50 Women in Accounting. In this episode, Twyla and Stuart discuss the state of the accounting profession, how COVID forced the industry to evolve and why there is a shortage of young professionals in the industry. They also talk about the importance of diversity, the accounting community, and what running a marathon and running a business have in common.

Together they discuss:

• How Twyla started with accounting (1:00)
• The beginning of Twyla’s entrepreneurial journey (3:00)
• The start of working with FreshBooks (4:30)
• Working with a local company (6:50) 
• Where Canada is on the advisory journey (8:00)
• Accounting cloud technology taking over (10:00)
• How COVID-19 accelerated technology (12:00)
• Reactive vs. proactive approach to technology (13:00)
• Shortage of young professionals in the industry (16:00)
• The evolution of the accounting profession (18:30)
• The role of influence by loved ones in pursuing a career in accounting (22:00)
• Twyla’s diversity efforts at FreshBooks (24:20)
• Running marathons (28:40)
• Similarities between running a business and a marathon (31:00)
• Twyla’s passion projects this year (35:00)
• Listening and inspiring people in the industry (37:30)

Kyle Bryant is the Managing Partner of Market Street Partners in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Kyle oversees the firm’s operations and has provided assurance, tax, and business consulting services for over a decade. In this episode, Kyle and Stuart discuss the rapid growth of Chattanooga, what attracts businesses to invest in the region, and what the projections are for the future. As a manager of the largest transaction in Chattanooga’s history, Kyle is a top-tier professional in his city and gives an insight into how accounting is developing the Tennessee market.

Together they discuss:

• The story behind Market Street Partners (01:00)
• Kyle’s journey as a private CPA (2:30)
• Kyles work at the Lamp Post Group (3:30)
• Serving a new group of clients in Chattanooga (4:30)
• The size and profile of Market Street Partners (5:30)
• Local and remote employees at Market Street Partners (07:30)
• The competitive landscape in Chattanooga (08:30)
• Market Street Partners’ mission (9:50)
• What retirement looks like for Kyle (11:00)
• Market Street Partners’ media strategy (12:45)
• Why accountants are reluctant to delve into business development and sales (14:20)
• Chattanooga’s local economy and development (16:15)
• What types of businesses come to the South East (18:30)
• The shortage of young accounting professionals (19:30)
• What Kyle does outside of work (21:10)
• Market Street Partners’ tech stack (21:40)
• The game plan for the near future (23:30)

Chris Williams is the CEO of System Six, a modern accounting firm focused on providing dream accounting careers to their team members and superior services for their clients. In this episode, Chris explains how to achieve just that, including the criteria for selecting System Six for acquisition and what challenges he faced along the way. Besides Chris' journey with System Six, he and Stuart also discuss life outside work, the best golf spots in the Bay Area, and how his wedding preparation is going.

Together they discuss:

• Chris’ experience at AccountingWeb Live Summit 2022 (01:00)
• Chris’ journey in the accounting industry (4:00)
• What Chris was looking for in a company to acquire (6:00)
• Why Chris didn’t choose a software company to acquire (08:00)
• Why Chris chose to acquire (rather than starting from scratch) (10:30)
• The process of acquiring System Six (11:30)
• The experience for the System Six team during the transition (14:30)
• System Six’s internal mission (16:00)
• Adapting the marketing and go-to-market strategies to increase growth (18:20)
• The clients System Six typically service (20:00)
• Building niches (21:30)
• Managing teams and working remotely (23:40)
• Getting the System Six team together in Denver (25:00)
• What’s next for System Six (26:30)
• The most important systems inherited by System Six (28:30)
• Maximizing the efficiency of using systems and data (30:00)
• Allocating team members with work they like to do (33:00)
• What keeps Chris busy outside of work (34:30)
• Spending time in the Bay Area (37:00)
• Stuart and his family living in Tahoe (39:00)
• The Great Resignation (41:30)
• The importance of helping accountants (43:40)

Andrew Jordon is the CEO and Founder of Connect4, a meeting platform that enables structured and efficient client meetings. Apart from a successful business career, Andrew is also the youngest trustee and treasurer at Prison Fellowship, the world's largest Christian non-profit organization for prisoner and justice reform. In this episode, Andrew and Stuart talk about Andrew's early career, the story of finding Connect4 and where it's heading. They also discuss charity, and how Andrew's values in business align with values outside of work.

Together they discuss:

• Andrew’s background (1:00)
• Why Andrew decided not to pursue a career in accounting (2:00)
• Andrew’s time in Brisbane, Australia (4:00)
• Andrew’s return to the UK and time at Fathom (5:00)
• The story of founding Connect4 (7:30)
• The solution for poor client communication and education (9:00)
• Is proactive communication embraced by the accounting industry? (10:30)
• Andrew’s experience with Connect4 so far (12:30)
• Client feedback on the Connect4 product offering (14:00)
• Potential verticals for Connect4 (16:00)
• Future plans for Connect4 (17:00)
• Andrew’s interests outside of work (18:00)
• Andrew’s experience as a trustee and treasurer at Prison Fellowship (19:00)
• Andrew’s plans for the rest of the year (22:00)

Dave is the Founder of Tidemark. He has 20+ years of experience in investing, advising, and building technology companies. In this episode, Dave and Stuart discuss the difference between technology companies in 1999 vs. 2021, how technology in accounting has been developing, and why Dave chooses to work with B2B software companies. Dave also talks about his passion for venture capital, and what the future holds for him and his company.

Together they discuss:

• Dave’s early career (00:40)
• Dave’s introduction to venture capital (2:00)
• Tech companies in 1999 vs. 2021 (4:00)
• Dave’s journey into B2B SaaS companies (6:40)
• Why Dave chose to work with B2B companies, and Karbon in particular (9:00)
• Why Dave loves working with accountants (11:30)
• The special relationship between accountants and their clients (14:10)
• Dave’s story of investing in Xero (16:00)
• What makes companies from New Zealand special (18:00)
• Opportunities for small business platforms today (23:00)
• What the next biggest innovation in accounting is going to be (25:00)
• The state of small business software globally (29:00)
• Dave’s journey and the idea behind Tidemark (31:00)
• The ideal model for Tidemark in the future (35:00)
• Foundation for non-profit businesses (37:00)
• Dave’s long-term view on Karbon (40:20)

The information presented in this podcast is for illustrative purposes only and is not an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to purchase an interest in any private fund managed or sponsored by Tidemark or any of the securities of any company discussed. Companies discussed in this podcast may include current Tidemark portfolio companies and/or prior investments made by Tidemark employees while at other investment firms. These companies identified in this podcast are not necessarily representative of all Tidemark investments, and no assumption should be made that the investments identified were or will be profitable. The information in this podcast is not presented with a view to providing investment advice with respect to any security or making any claim as to the past, current, or future performance thereof.

Martin Chee is the CFO and Co-Founder at Amaka, an accounting integrations system that allows firms to automate their data entry processes. In this episode, Martin and Stuart dive into the story of Amaka, how it delivers value to clients, and the challenges and complexities that Martin faces in this niche. They also discuss Martin’s professional journey, how to work with clients efficiently, and the impact the pandemic had on his business.

Together they discuss:

• Martin’s background (01:00)
• Valuable lessons learned in hospitality (3:00)
• Impact of COVID on Martin’s family (4:30)
• Amaka’s adjustments and processes during the pandemic (6:00)
• Working with clients efficiently (8:00)
• Establishing and managing trust (10:00)
• Martin’s introduction to accounting (13:50)
• The evolution of technology in the accounting industry (17:00)
• Two major disruptions that were happening in accounting simultaneously (19:40)
• Working with tax authorities (21:30)
• Martin’s involvement with accounting work (22:45)
• Growing and managing an international team (25:00)
• The story of building Amaka (27:20)
• Reacting to challenges and complexities in the accounting integration system (32:00)
• What’s next for Amaka (35:00)
• Simplifying the system for clients (39:40)

Simon is the CEO and Co-Founder of Stamped Technologies, a tech-enabled audit firm focusing on year-end compliance services that leverage technology, purposely built AI, and seasoned CPAs. In this episode, Simon and Stuart discuss the technological advancements in the accounting industry, Simon’s career journey, and the story of Stamped. They deep-dive into the application of AI in the industry and how Simon sees the development of Stamped in the future.

Together they discuss:

• Simon’s background (1:00)
• Simon’s experience playing American football (2:30)
• First job at PwC (6:00)
• The story of finding Stamped (9:00)
• Roadblocks for further advancement in the accounting industry (13:00)
• The gap in skillset in the industry (15:30)
• Experience as a founder of an accounting software company (18:00)
• Ensuring accuracy and correctness of a model and learning systems (19:50)
• Employee count at Stamped and plans for the future (21:20)
• White-labeling Stamped into other firms (23:30)
• The Canadian accounting industry (24:50)
• Expansion and competitive landscape in North America (27:40)
• What’s next for Stamped (29:20)
• Exit plan (31:00)