From a chance encounter at a university careers fair to selling her first business at 27, Emma Jones has built a career defined by sharp instincts, commercial boldness, and a genuine passion for supporting small businesses.
Now serving as the UK’s Small Business Commissioner, she’s using that platform to push for what could be the strongest payment laws in the G7 — and she’s bringing that message to Accountex London next week.
How did you get into the profession?
On the basis this question is relating to how I got into the accounting profession, it was all down to a careers fair. I studied Law & Japanese for my degree and had been offered a place at a leading London law firm. So far, so good.
Then I attended a careers fair at my University and met someone from the Japanese Executive Tax Services team at Arthur Andersen. I was in thrall to the culture of this go-getting American company, asked the law firm to put my offer on hold whilst I spent a year with the Americans to get some commercial experience, and never went back!
I spent 5 happy and amazing years at Arthur Andersen and was so lucky to get access to top notch training and client network. It was the foundation I needed for what was to follow.
You sold your first business at 27 — what did that experience teach you about entrepreneurship?
Lots! I learnt so much in a short period. The first thing was the benefit of getting a good mentor/Non Exec on board from the outset. When we were approached by Tenon with an acquisition offer, that mentor came in very handy!
It sounds basic to say but I also learnt you have to base a business on doing what you love, select a co-founder as carefully as you would select a spouse, not give away equity too early in the journey, and that the value of a company is whatever someone is prepared to pay for it.
It also taught me that entrepreneurship is about having a plan, putting in the hard graft, and surrounding yourself with the best people you can afford.
What advice would you give to someone just starting out in the profession?
I’m not sure I’m qualified to offer this advice as I have not been in the profession for decades but I do feel the best accountants are those with rounded commercial experience.
If you can find an accountant with technical knowledge plus commercial awareness, this is the very best combination.
What are you most looking forward to at Accountex?
Being interviewed by Lucy Cohen!
What do you want visitors to take away from your seminar session?
An update on the work we are doing at the Office of the Small Business Commissioner to get small firms paid on time.
This is a very important moment in the topic area of prompt payment, with the UK government signalling its intent to introduce the strongest payment laws in the G7.
It’s critical we bring businesses, large and small, with us on the journey and I know the trusted role accountants play so hope attendees take away from the session the latest update on how we are making life easier for small firms through access to capital and wider support.
Emma is taking to the stage with Lucy Cohen for ‘It’s time to pay up to support small businesses‘ on 14 May, 1.20pm at Theatre 9 – Horizon Keynote Stage.
