Advisory Series Archives - humanisethenumbers.online

Episode 155: Derek Granger of Aris Growth

Paul Shrimpling — Mon, 23 Feb 2026 04:00:00 +0000

Given the current pace of technology, how can you know how it will impact your firm?
Well, you obviously can't know for sure, but isn't it good to get an insider's viewpoint on how technology will change things?
In this podcast with Derek Granger of Aris Growth, Derek talks about where he works and how he sees the changes coming through into today’s firms, changes that will have a significant impact, not only on recruitment and training, but also on fundamental work practices.
To hear more about technology and to listen in to a wide-ranging conversation where we discussed private equity and the importance of soft skills in accountancy, listen to this podcast and please scroll down the podcast’s episode page for the contact information for Derek and for the additional, downloadable resources mentioned in the podcast.

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Episode 154: Luke Farren of The Modern Firm

Paul Shrimpling — Mon, 09 Feb 2026 10:25:37 +0000

When we discuss technology in relation to accounting, it seems that there has been a rapid pace of change with technology for years now, and it's only accelerating. And with the advancements in artificial intelligence, perhaps the speed of change will accelerate even more.
When I interviewed Luke Farren of The Modern Firm recently on the podcast, I felt that Luke's comments about why accounting needs shaking up are certainly worth a listen.
To hear more, join me and Luke and please scroll down the podcast’s episode page for the contact information for Luke and for the additional, downloadable resources mentioned in the podcast.

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Episode 153: Gareth Burton, Chief Impact Officer at Progress Accountants and Auditor at Assure UK

Paul Shrimpling — Mon, 19 Jan 2026 06:31:00 +0000

When someone with an engineering background moves into accountancy, what skills do they bring along with them?
What struck me in this podcast with Gareth Burton of Assure UK was Gareth's curiosity about the way that accountancy is carried out and the potential improvements to processes that can happen across virtually every part of our business. Gareth has got that down to a tee.
To listen to more of that and to further useful insights about how and why Gareth set up his firm in the first place, join us and please scroll down the podcast’s episode page for the contact information for Gareth and for the additional, downloadable resources mentioned in the podcast

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Episode 149: Donna Field of Autumn HR

Paul Shrimpling — Wed, 03 Dec 2025 01:20:00 +0000

When adversity strikes, how do you react?
In this podcast with Donna Field of Autumn HR, we discuss how she faced adversity in the form of a business, one in which she was emotionally and financially invested, disappearing overnight.
This ultimately proved the catalyst to setting up what is now a thriving business, with Donna doing work that she loves and bringing huge value to her clients.
I really enjoyed my chat with Donna. We talked about a number of things – the importance of team engagement, the positive effect of having weekly one-to-ones with your team members, and, of course, the impact that a good HR partner can have on your business.
Please scroll down the podcast’s episode page for the contact information for Donna and for the additional, downloadable resources mentioned in the podcast.

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Episode 147: Caroline Carter, Owner of Carter Clear Accounting

Paul Shrimpling — Mon, 24 Nov 2025 16:35:00 +0000

Think about the traditional route most accountants follow before going into practice.
In this podcast, I explore the route taken by Caroline Carter, of Carter Clear Accounting. You'll find Caroline's route anything but traditional.
From having mental health challenges in the house, to a teenage pregnancy, to running a pub – a busy pub – at age 23, Caroline's background is rich and varied, and all of this has served to inform how she runs her successful accounting firm.
In this deeply human podcast, hear Caroline talk about how her background underpinned her approach to accounting, and how her diagnosis of ADHD helped her to make sense of the world.
This is a cracking podcast.

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Episode 143: Laura Taylor, Founder of Bright Flamingo

Paul Shrimpling — Wed, 08 Oct 2025 02:18:00 +0000

What's it like to start an accounting firm with £200, to grow it quickly over a period of five years, and then to decide to exit? And from the start of that exit conversation to completion, for it to take only 25 days?
We'll cover all of that and a lot more in this podcast with Laura Taylor from Bright Flamingo. Laura shares how that journey affected her, and she also reveals some secrets along the way that could help you in your own accounting firm.
If you want to hear more, join Laura and me and if you enjoy it, please hit the subscribe button.
Please scroll down the podcast’s episode page for the contact information for Laura and for the additional, downloadable resources mentioned in the podcast.

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Episode 141: Noel Guilford, Founder/CEO of Guilford Accounting

Paul Shrimpling — Fri, 12 Sep 2025 10:35:18 +0000

How do you get your clients to take monthly information from you, and not only to take that monthly information, but to sit down with you and go through it so that they can fully understand their numbers?
In this podcast with Noel Guilford of Guilford Accounting, Noel talks us through how his onboarding process makes sure that only potential clients who value that type of service get through the net, get over the threshold, and become a client of Guilford Accounting.
In this conversation – and it ranged across Noel's 50 years in accounting – we also talked about what the future of the profession holds. Noel has got some really interesting views on that, all of which point towards less compliance, more advisory.

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Episode 135: Mark Allen, Co founder of the TAG Community

Paul Shrimpling — Fri, 04 Jul 2025 11:11:56 +0000

If there's a phrase that encapsulates the content of this podcast discussion with Mark Allen, it would be 'applied wisdom'.
We tap into Mark's several decades of working within the profession, first as a board director of PLCs, then transitioning into a practice leader, starting up and successfully selling a three-office firm, and finally moving into working with networks for accountants across the UK.
Mark is a bit of a hero of mine, overcoming serious health challenges to continue to pursue his passion for what you and your firm do – helping your clients succeed, helping your team succeed, helping yourself succeed.
I hope you take time out to dive into the handful of profoundly powerful insights that Mark shares. It was a real pleasure and privilege to invite Mark onto the podcast.
Please scroll down the podcast’s episode page for the contact information for Mark and for the additional, downloadable resources mentioned in the podcast.

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Episode 134: Stephan Meier, Professor and Author – Part Two

Paul Shrimpling — Mon, 02 Jun 2025 01:14:00 +0000

You'd probably like to get your hands on a competitive advantage that would lead to the future financial success of your firm, one that would enhance, or even transform, the results you're currently achieving.
Where do you go looking for that advantage?
Once upon a time in the world of work, it was all about a product advantage or, in the accountancy space, a service level advantage. But at the end of the day, an audit service from one firm is not dissimilar to an audit service from another. The same goes for payroll, for management accounts, and so on.
There is therefore not much of a competitive edge arising from products and services. So, instead of going product-centric, go client-centric. Become really focused on client care, on delivering a client experience that provides an advantage and, don't get me wrong, I think in the accounting space there's huge potential for an edge there.
But what about the employee advantage? What if your team's ability to deliver work on time to a high standard and with a high degree of client care – ticking the client-centric box – is where a true advantage, a sustainable advantage, could be found?
In this podcast discussion with Stephan Meier, world-renowned author of The Employee Advantage, you'll be able to unpack – because Stephan does it for us – a large number of insights, ideas and strategies that could ultimately deliver a competitive advantage to you and your firm.
So please join Douglas, my colleague, Stephan and I on this podcast and please scroll down the podcast’s episode page for the contact information for Stephan and for the additional, downloadable resources mentioned in the podcast.

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Episode 133: Stephan Meier, Professor and Author – Part One

Paul Shrimpling — Sun, 01 Jun 2025 11:48:54 +0000

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