This time our speaker Q&A features Martin Bissett, founder of The Upward Spiral Partnership. Martin will be leading a panel discussion along with entrepreneur & author Carl Reader, and featuring managing director of OmniPro Group Des O’Neill, and managing director of JE Consulting Jo Edwards, to share insights and answer questions about the best approach to winning new business.
How did you get into the profession?
Complete fluke. I made a phone call to a consulting firm in 1998 which later led to the first nearly 14 years of working exclusively within the accounting profession.
What one person or business in the accounting industry do you really admire and why?
There’s a few but for sheer track record of achievement it’s hard to top Ron Baker and Paul Dunn.
What do you love most about the accounting industry?
The profound and unparalleled positive impact that accountants can have on the professional and personal lives of their clients.
What advice would you give to someone just starting out in the profession?
Understand how the accounting profession has arrived at where it’s at and extrapolate that another 10 years.
What one piece of advice would you give to accountants who want to be successful?
Stop doing nothing. Stop buying ‘silver bullet’ systems and actually build relationships with businesses who need you.
What’s the most challenging aspect of your job?
Finding the accounting firms that don’t wish to sit back and rely on their recurring fees but want to proactively help SMEs.
And the most rewarding?
When an SME has their house saved, business saved, marriage saved or whatever peace of mind they received; from the advisory support that they got from their accountant.
What’s on the horizon for you and the accounting sector?
For me, a stronger US presence and for the profession, an increasing parity in fees obtained from accounting and advisory revenues.
How important is Accountex Summit North to you and the sector?
Accountex and Accountex Summit North are the only must attend events in the calendar. It’s who’s who of the accounting profession.
What do you want visitors to take away from your session?
To think more about helping their clients and fall for less marketing hype.
Who or what inspires you to be even better?
My father’s own unrealised potential.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given?
Do well by doing what’s right.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself that most people don’t know…
I’m a shareholder of Hibernian Football Club.
See Martin at Accountex Summit North 2019
Client at the Core in Theatre 3 at 12pm on Tuesday 10 September.
The panel will also feature entrepreneur & author Carl Reader, managing director of OmniPro Group Des O’Neill, and managing director of JE Consulting Jo Edwards.