Nancy is one of the brilliant Senior Client Advisors here at Blue Rocket, joining us six years ago and bringing with her over two decades of experience and a real passion for numbers. Lucky us!
Heading up Team Mars, Nancy works with clients that have an annual turnover of up to £150,000. Nancy’s team looks after many different types of companies, from start-ups and sole traders, to limited companies that are just starting to spread their wings before moving on to our Saturn or Jupiter teams.
Team Mars also looks after clients on our Blast Off programme, which we’ve designed to help new businesses navigate the first few years. The team offers a comprehensive support package during the first year, guiding clients through processes such as payroll or registering for VAT and giving them the knowledge and confidence to deal with it themselves in the future, should they wish to. But generally, Nancy finds that clients don’t want to take the accounting reins.
The level of support provided by our teams at Blue Rocket, via phone, email, text and WhatsApp, means that clients feel confident knowing their finances are in safe hands, leaving them free to concentrate on what they’re good at – running their business.
In between client calls and crunching numbers, Nancy kindly agreed to answer a few questions about her love of numbers and the interests she enjoys outside accounting.
So, tell us about your role Nancy. What do you enjoy most?
The variety of areas we get involved with on behalf of our clients means there is never a dull moment. People are always surprised when they discover the breadth of knowledge accountants have – far from just filing tax returns and dealing with payroll, we help clients with all aspects of their business, from buying property to recruitment.
Being able to help our clients work through whatever challenges they are experiencing day to day is very satisfying. We’re always here to provide support for our clients, and during lockdown in particular we found clients were coming to us because they just needed someone to listen, to provide a sounding board, and that’s what we’re here for.
I really am just a numbers person, which I know might sound boring to some people, but they make sense to me. It might not surprise you to know that maths was my favourite subject at school, especially algebra. I love the fact that numbers are logical, there is always a solution.
Problem solving is part of the role I really enjoy; we rely so much on software these days, but I know that if the numbers don’t seem to be working, I can take pen to paper and solve it manually. Going through the process manually very often highlights what needs to be fixed. I don’t think there are many problems that can’t be resolved by using a T-Account and a pencil.
What sort of changes have you seen in the industry?
Accounting has been completely revolutionised, in my first role I didn’t even use a computer. We worked everything out manually, even to the point of using a typewriter to type out the accounts. I have found that having an in-depth understanding of what’s going on behind the scenes really complements working with the software we now use.
The introduction of cloud-based software has meant huge efficiencies in the way accountants work. Most of our clients use these systems already, but some are more hesitant about moving online and so we work with them to explain how it will make life easier for them and benefit their business. As part of the Blast Off programme we offer software training, clients can come to the office and we’ll show them how it works, plus we’re always at the end of the phone if they run into any difficulties when doing it for themselves.
What advice would you give to businesses right now?
As a team we’re very focused on helping our clients resume some sort of normality at the moment. We’re recommending clients join networking and support groups, like the one we have recently set up, to help clients make the contacts they need to able to rebuild and strengthen their businesses. One of my personal mottos is “stay strong”, which is very apt in these times.
How do you relax outside work?
I discovered baton twirling as a child, and it has been a passion of mine ever since. I belong to a local troupe in Bexleyheath, although these days in more of a coaching capacity rather than being part of the troupe itself, but my baton is never far away – it’s even been known to appear in the Blue Rocket office on occasion!
Read more about Blue Rocket’s Team Mars or contact Nancy directly on nancy@bluerocketaccounting.com or 01322 555 442
Blue Rocket Accounting provides tailored accounting and bookkeeping support to businesses across Kent including Dartford, Bexley, Sidcup and Maidstone, helping to put them on course to reach their full potential.
