At Adaptive Accountancy, we recently hosted a team away day focused on operational excellence and improving our internal processes. As always, transparency and collaboration are at the heart of what we do—and this session was no exception. Here’s a closer look at the practical, small-picture discussions that took place.

Tackling Rising Software Costs Head-On

One of the major topics of conversation was the rising cost of accounting software. With our annual software spend now approaching £30,000, we knew it was time to evaluate what tools are essential, which offer the best value, and where we might optimise our tech stack without compromising on service quality.

Key software we reviewed included:

• BrightManager
• BrightPay (we’re anticipating a 2-3x fee increase next year)
• TaxCalc
• Dext
• QuickBooks

Many other tools we use monthly were either deemed good value or too low-cost to warrant in-depth discussion. Our aim is simple: maximise efficiency while ensuring our clients continue to receive a premium service.

Listening to Our Team: Challenges & Job Satisfaction

We also reviewed team feedback on operational bottlenecks and what aspects of the job bring the most satisfaction.

• What slows you down?
• What makes your day more enjoyable?

Understanding these dynamics helps us build a workplace where team members feel fulfilled and supported—which in turn improves the experience for our clients.

Client Review: Who We Work Best With

We also had candid conversations about our client base:

• Which clients are the best cultural fit?
• Who do we want more of?
• Which clients may benefit from a better-suited service elsewhere?

We also discussed how to proactively train and guide clients to become more efficient and engaged in their own bookkeeping and tax planning.

Capacity and Standards: Pushing for Excellence

We discussed workload and how we can continue improving our standards:

• Bookkeeping backlog will reduce from 3 weeks to 2 weeks max.
• Limited company clients will now receive monthly management accounts and Corporation Tax estimates (previously quarterly).

These updates will provide clients with even more timely insights for effective tax planning and business decisions.

Strengthening Client & Community Relationships

We’re passionate about making a difference, not just to our clients but to the local business community. We’re now exploring the following initiatives:

• Free monthly drop-in clinics for non-clients with simple tax questions
• Creating a client community network to foster referrals and collaborations
• Hosting a Christmas party for small business owners who might not have their own team to celebrate with

Getting Social: Our Online Presence

We also discussed our social media marketing strategy and gathered feedback from the team. The goal? To strike the perfect balance between professional, informative, and authentically “us.”

Wrapping It All Up

After a productive day filled with planning, debate, and actionable ideas, we still found time to enjoy a fantastic lunch and a bit of fun bowling—because a great team culture is built on more than just numbers.

Looking for a proactive, transparent, and forward-thinking accountancy firm that prioritises both people and performance?

Get in touch with Adaptive Accountancy today and experience the difference.