In this episode things are a little different as Rachael is firmly in the hot seat and is joined by her business coach Emma Slack for a candid conversation recorded live as part of an AVN webinar.

Following a standout year in which Rachael was recognised with the Changing Lives and High Profile Practice awards, alongside the overall title of Most Inspiring Accountant, Emma puts Rachael under the spotlight to unpack what really sits behind that success.

From starting a firm in her back bedroom during a pandemic, to building a 16-strong, award-winning practice, this episode dives into visibility, awards, marketing, culture and the realities of scaling a firm without losing your values. 

If you’re an accountant wondering how to raise your profile, build a high-profile practice, or simply want a behind-the-scenes look at what it really takes to stand out in today’s profession, this episode is for you.

In this episode of FFS: For Finance’s Sake, I’m unpacking what you can and definitely can’t get away with at Christmas as a business owner. From staff gifts and festive perks to office parties, Prosecco, cash in sparkly envelopes, and those “it’ll be fine, surely?” moments.

We’ll also cover Christmas parties, what’s allowable, what tips it over the edge, and how one extra pound can make the whole thing taxable.

So before you reach for the company card, pour a drink, grab your receipts, and let’s make sure your Christmas generosity doesn’t turn into a January tax headache.

In this new Women at Work miniseries on FFS – For Finances Sake, we’re stripping back the polished LinkedIn gloss and diving into the real experiences women face in the workplace.

In this episode, Rachael sits down with Joanna, Senior Accountant at Chadwick Accountants, who shares her incredible journey whilst navigating male-dominated environments, pay imbalances, childcare pressures, and those subtle (and not-so-subtle) barriers women still face at work.

I’m joined by none other than Shaun Caddick: AAT Rising Star finalist, certified wizard of Dext/QuickBooks/Xero, and one of the sharpest young talents at Chadwick Accountants. Shaun breaks down exactly why bookkeeping is the unsung hero of business, how consistency saves your sanity, and why the right tech can turn hours of admin into a quick snap-and-done moment.

Unless you’ve been living under a tax-free rock, you’ll know the government has finally dropped the Autumn Budget… in November… late, lumpy, leaked and, frankly, not great.

After weeks of warnings that a financial hurricane was coming, what we actually got was heavy rain, a bit of wind and somehow they still managed to steal your wallet while you were looking the other way.

In today’s episode, we’re breaking down the headlines and the hidden traps: frozen tax thresholds disguised as kindness, a pension punch that hits both employers and employees, wage rises that sound supportive but push prices up, a push away from property and pensions toward the stock market, electric-car chaos, customs-duty contradictions, and enough sneaky tax tweaks to make your spreadsheet cry.

This Budget might not have blown your house down, but it is a masterclass in how to mug you with a smile.

Today we’re diving into a topic that many people avoid until it’s too late: pensions! how they work, what’s changing, and how to plan properly for the future.

I’m joined by Tony Ross, Chartered Financial Planner and founder of Velocity Financial Planning. With over 15 years of experience, Tony specialises in guiding people through the major life transitions that shape their financial decisions.

In this episode, we cover the 2027 pension changes, inheritance tax concerns, annuities, drawdown worries, defined benefit transfers, and the mindset shift from saving to spending. If you’ve ever wondered whether you’re on track or what “on track” even means, this one’s for you.

This week on the FFS Podcast, we’re tackling a topic most directors would rather avoid. If cashflow has dried up, creditors are circling, and the company can’t pay what it owes, this is your calm, straight-talking guide to what happens next.

We’ll walk through your real-world options, from doing nothing (and why that’s the worst plan), to compulsory liquidation, creditors’ voluntary liquidation, strike-off routes, director redundancy and working with a proper insolvency practitioner, so you can stop panicking, start planning, and exit responsibly if you need to.

This episode of FFS is a really special one.

We’re talking all about the AVN Awards  an incredible experience for me and the team at Chadwicks. We were absolutely thrilled (and a bit stunned!) to take home High Profile Practice, Changing Lives, and Most Inspiring Accountant.

But this isn’t just about the awards, it’s about the journey that got us there. From starting during the pandemic to building a business with purpose and heart, I wanted to share what these wins truly mean for us and the amazing people behind them.

Now… let’s talk cashflow.

Because nothing kills business buzz faster than a tax bill that hits harder than your Monday morning coffee.

I’m not tackling this one alone, joining me is our wonderful Charlotte, our senior accountant. She’s here with battle-tested tips, real stories, and a little tough love to help you stay in control of your cash.

From tax bill dread to forecasting like a finance pro, this episode will give you the confidence to grow without the panic sweats.

In this episode, Rachael sits down with Hannah Morgan from Circle Insurance Services to demystify one of the most overlooked but essential parts of running a business — insurance.

From professional indemnity to cyber cover, they unpack what every business really needs, what’s often misunderstood, and what might just be a waste of money. Expect practical advice, real client stories, and plenty of plain-English explanations about everything from employers’ liability to business interruption and management liability insurance.

If you’ve ever pushed insurance to the bottom of your to-do list, this episode might just change your mind — and save your business.