How Synergee’s Sat Nav for Business drives tangible growth
Synergee’s Director, Darren Austin, sits down with Eileen Leahy at the chartered accountancy and business specialists’ central Tunbridge Wells headquarters to explain more about the firm’s pioneering financial advisory services
Synergee was established in 2007 with the aim of helping everyone from sole traders and private clients to limited companies achieve better financial stability.
Offering a trio of chartered accountancy services – compliance, business advisory and tax planning – the firm has gained a solid reputation for providing a wealth of guidance to further financial success.
“The majority of what we do here at Synergee is B2B, but we do have some private clients on our books too,” states Darren Austin, the firm’s Director.
“Most of our private clients are individuals who still have a requirement for a tax return. They may be retired, receiving pensions or have investments in property. So they might not ostensibly still have a business, but they will have UK tax return requirements, and we help them with those. Some are still based here, but others have emigrated to Europe or America,” explains Darren, who has worked in the finance sector since 1981.
“At Synergee we do exactly what our strapline says: we provide clarity through accounting. What I mean by that is whatever level a client is at, I want to make sure the service we provide gives them a clear understanding of their position and the information they need to make strategic business decisions.”
Darren and his team, which totals six, are based in the smart serviced Regus offices at Pluto House on Vale Road. Many of the firm’s clients are local to Tunbridge Wells, London and the South East, but thanks to ever-evolving technology, they can work with anyone, anywhere in the country.
Synergee’s services all complement one another progressively. Compliance covers the essentials such as tax returns, VAT and company accounts. Its financial advisory offering builds on that; supporting clients with management insight such as monthly profits and performance drivers. Strategic advisory, which Darren tells me is his favourite part of the job, advances Synergee’s offering further…
“It’s about setting goals, building forecasts and creating actionable plans. This is what we call our Sat Nav for Business. Showing clients how to move forward and working with them to achieve this is so fulfilling.”
Sat Nav for Business, explains Darren, imagines your business as being on a car journey.
“To reach your destination efficiently and effectively, you need a clear plan. The Sat Nav for Business model is your roadmap, guiding you through a structured process to achieve your goals. I help my clients break down this journey into simple, actionable steps using this approach.”
Darren says: “It’s very flexible, so businesses of all sizes and ages can use it. You can meet me every month to discuss where you are and where you are going, or simply see me for a one-off appointment.”
Obviously, every business varies in size, specialisms and strategies, but Darren believes there are what he calls ‘core concepts’ applicable to each one.
“The Sat Nav analogy works because if you’re thinking about planning a journey, you need to know where you are now: what your turnover and profitability are, and which elements of your business are driving it. And most importantly, where you are going next and how you’re going to get there.”
This pioneering model helps clients break down their business journey into manageable steps across finance, operations, marketing and HR. Darren helps map their current position, define their destination, and navigate obstacles along the way.
Darren shares with me that he met a client on the morning of this interview who was very passionate about his successful new venture but lacked financial confidence.
“We sat down, and I went through the ways in which Synergee can help and the tools we can use to do that. I mean, I could almost see the weight lifting from his shoulders! It’s always exciting to be part of building that journey for a business.
“The acceleration of technology in this industry is incredible. My first job was working in London in 1981, and we did everything by hand. Clients wouldn’t know if they had made a profit until they saw the accounts we prepared after the year end.” says Darren, who currently supports at least 400 businesses and handles a similar number of tax returns.
“The key criteria for me is to make someone’s life a lot easier by providing the information they need, when they need it, to make informed business decisions.”
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