Introducing Nikki Adams, Joint Managing Director at Ad Valorem Group.
1. How did you get into the profession?
I started working for an accountancy recruitment agency when I was 19 years old and eventually running their accounts department. I have worked in and around the accounting industry ever since, setting up Ad Valorem with my husband, Nigel, 23 years ago.
We recently sold a stake in our business to the global network ETL, which is a top 20 network of accountants and other professional services so that we continue to grow at pace.
2. What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given?
This is hard as I have always been a continuous learner and constantly read or listen to many business leaders.
However, the thing that probably sticks with me the most is to do the most important things each day with laser focus. It’s very easy to get distracted, particularly with social media in the last few years.
Also, to build resilience in business it is how you deal with adversity that gives you strength to face future challenges – and we’ve had a few of those in the last few years!
Fear of failure causes inertia so bravery is needed – but understand the risks and have a plan B if things start to go the wrong way.
3. What do you see as key trends for the sector in the coming year?
We are continuing to see the importance of securing funding for fintech transformation projects.
We have invested in supporting innovation within our own business and clients are doing the same.
Like us, many firms are joining forces with bigger organisations or acquiring smaller firms, so the aggregation of our sector will continue for some time yet.
4. What one person or business in the industry do you really admire and why?
We have built a very close relationship with Xero (luckily their HQ is just down the road) and hearing Gary Turner (former UK CEO) speaking at an Accountex event in 2016 had a tremendous impact on me and our team.
It was a lightbulb moment on how to approach the massive shift that was taking place moving from a desktop to Saas model.
It spurred us on to create a more modern and inspiring work environment too, breaking the mould of traditional firms at the time. I am also very pleased to see our regulatory body, ACCA promoting smaller firms who provide vital services to SME’s.
5. What’s the best part of your job?
My role is all about people, communication (internally and externally) and facilitating change, so I love to see improvements in individuals, team dynamics and systems which in the long term benefit our customers.
I draw inspiration from many people in our industry and Accountex events have been an incredible platform for us to connect with other accounting firms that can use our specialist expertise and vice versa.
