Stuart manages a diverse client base and mentors our team to help them achieve their own career goals.
In a recent Q&A, he discusses his journey and advice for newcomers to the industry.
Can you introduce yourself and give details on your career history leading to your current role?
I have worked for SBP for 5 years starting as a Client Manager in February 2020 working my way up to Director in April 2023. Prior to working for SBP I started my career as an Accounts Junior at an Independent Accountancy firm based in Aberdeen in 1998 leaving straight from school. In 2006 the firm I worked for merged with a Scottish wide Accountancy firm where I worked up through the ranks to Client Manager during which time I was awarded a staff excellence award voted for by my peers. After a short time in industry working in a finance department in 2016 I joined another Aberdeen based accountancy firm as a client manager where I spent 3 years prior to joining SBP.
Can you give some insight into your working day and key responsibilities at SBP?
I look after a large client base consisting of personal tax clients, sole traders and partnership and Limited Companies. Main tasks include year end accounts, corporation tax & personal tax along with providing proactive advice and guidance to my clients. I'm also responsible for the running of the Aberdeen office along with my fellow Aberdeen Director Stephen Glanas. Between the two of us we look after the staff in Aberdeen and carry out all the performance one-to-ones and help develop and mentor the staff
What is your strongest skill and how have your skills developed during your employment at SBP?
My strongest skill would be approachability. I feel this is very important when you are responsible for the development and wellbeing of staff members. Since my time at SBP I have undertaken a Leadership Development Programme which I hope has made me a better Leader & Mentor to the staff
Could you discuss any significant strategies or projects you've implemented at SBP that have notably impacted the company's performance?
I put forward the idea to the partners to hold an annual SBP Staff Conference where all the office are brought together to learn about how the business is performing and the firm's hopes and aspiration for the future. I believe that since implementing this the staff feel more together as a firm as opposed to 4 individual offices and has encouraged staff from all offices to interact more
In the face of changing financial regulations, how do you help ensure that SBP remains compliant while also optimising financial performance?
I keep up to date with legislative changes through attending webinars and learning from other colleagues. This ensure that the service we provide to our clients is compliant and of high quality ensuring that we have a happy client base which should lead to optimising our firm's financial performance
What are your goals for SBP in the coming years, and how do you plan to achieve them?
I would like to see growth in all four offices of SBP. We take great pride in offering a high-quality personal service to our client whilst remaining competitive in the market place. If we continue to provide this service to our existing and new clients, then we hope that our good reputation spreads and will lead to further new client gains. Investing time back to our staff to provide relevant training and exciting opportunities for career growth leads to happy staff. Happy staff leads to quality of work which leads to happy clients. That in turn leads to improved financial performance
What do you enjoy most at SBP?
I enjoy the variety of different clients I deal with. Dealing with Sole Traders & Partnerships through to £10m turnover Limited Companies ensures that no day is the same.
I really enjoy mentoring staff and helping them achieve their career goals. At SBP we have a great track record of staff climbing up the career ladder through the ranks and nothing gives me more pleasure to see a colleague achieve their career goals under my guidance
What advice would you give young people entering the industry?
Choose the right career path for you. There's a common misconception that you need to go to University and graduate with a degree to have a career in Accounts. This is far from the truth. Many of our staff at Partner and Director level left straight from school to start their accountancy career, including myself.
Tell us an interesting fact about yourself?
I once won a disco dancing competition as a child, which if anyone has seen me on the dancefloor as an adult, will find this hard to believe. I must have received the sympathy votes!