Mike Bath\u2019s motivation for joining James Cowper Kreston (JCK) in January 2022 as an Audit and Accounts Partner at its Southampton office is obvious the moment you speak with him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThis is the right firm for me in terms of never compromising on quality, its standards and very strong vision,\u201d he said. \u201cJCK brings the credibility of its own 100 years of success to its SME client base.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He has always specialised in supporting mid-market businesses, typically owner-managed companies and those with venture capital or private equity backing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNo day is the same as any other,\u201d he said. \u201cTypically, I talk with multiple clients each day but don\u2019t always know who it will be. It certainly keeps you on your toes and illustrates JCK\u2019s \u2018open door\u2019 policy for clients to reach us.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Supporting a diverse range of clients across different industry sectors is another motivation. \u201cThe core focus of my role is helping clients get where they want to be,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Business focus<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Offering sound business advice to accompany the number crunching is central to JCK\u2019s approach. Mike urges businesses to maximise how they use their financial statements, describing them as dashboards for \u201ctelling you where you are, which direction you\u2019re going in and at what speed\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, a dashboard alone is only part of the solution; businesses also need a roadmap to plot the direction they want to head in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cFor many business owners, the lifecycle of their company has significant points, such as decisions to sell, retire, a management buy-out or bringing in equity finance. Without the dashboard and roadmap, you can\u2019t plot the course you want to go in,\u201d said Mike.<\/p>\n\n\n\n He adds that as a business adviser, it\u2019s important for him to pick up on the emotional attachment between individuals and their businesses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cOften the business is their lifeblood and might have been for earlier generations of their family as well. There are strong emotional connections that as accountants and business advisers we need to appreciate,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Share your plans<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n A recurring piece of advice he gives to business leaders is to share their plans. He noted:<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cBusiness owners usually have plenty of aspirational vision but it\u2019s sometimes surprising how many find it hard to articulate their plans.\"<\/p><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n Keeping everyone in the loop is essential, he continued: \u201cOnce you have a plan and have decided on your destination, it\u2019s important to make sure all key stakeholders understand it and are on board with it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Setting milestones is a useful way to structure business thinking. \u201cA lack of effective communications can be a stumbling block. For example, if you have a succession plan, don\u2019t keep it too close to your chest \u2013 share it with the people whose own contribution will be crucial to the plan\u2019s success.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n People focus<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n For Mike, client relationships aren\u2019t just about checking the numbers once a year. \u201cWhat I enjoy most are the human relationships. To understand any business, you have to understand the people who own it, run it and work for it, as well as anyone who influences its direction,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Since January, much of his time has been spent getting to know JCK\u2019s clients and his new colleagues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe support I\u2019ve had so far has been superb,\u201d he said. \u201cMy priority is to continue extending and deepening our client relationships, learning about clients\u2019 ambitions and their business strategies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWhat I enjoy most about JCK is being surrounded by a great bunch of really skilled people.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n He sees one of JCK\u2019s core strengths as its cross-discipline abilities. \u201cWe have experts in most financial disciplines, particularly corporate and personal tax, VAT, mergers and acquisitions and advising on business turnarounds and restructuring.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n On the run<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Mike began his accountancy career qualifying at the Southampton office of \u2018big four\u2019 accountancy firm KPMG. He also holds an ICAEW Diploma in charity accounting and works with numerous academy schools and the wider not-for-profit sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n His degree in chemistry armed him with skills he found readily transferrable to accountancy. \u201cNumeracy, analysis, developing methodologies, testing propositions \u2013 it\u2019s all there in our profession,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n He\u2019s an enthusiastic triathlete who fits training around work, entering local competitions, mainly in Hampshire and Dorset. His preferred events are sprint and Olympic distance triathlons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI\u2019m looking to participate rather than to be genuinely competitive: I\u2019m happy being a relatively fit guy with a desk job,\u201d he modestly asserts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Always keen to draw parallels between life and work, Mike says triathlon disciplines have a lot in common with his job role.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cFor a triathlon, I have a plan to achieve and measure my progress in meeting it. I have key coaches and training partners alongside me, whose input is crucial to keeping me on the right path. I have to accept that progress isn\u2019t always going to be how I expect so I have to be adaptable.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Since arriving at JCK, he has discovered no shortage of accomplished swimmers, runners and cyclists. \u201cWe\u2019d make a very competitive triathlon relay team!\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Advice you\u2019d give to businesses<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe financial numbers alone are not the business \u2013 all companies are fundamentally about people \u2013 owners, managers, employees, customers and suppliers. Understand the human dynamic in your business and the financial results will show if you are getting it right.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Best advice you\u2019ve received<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe path to success is often non-linear. Accept this and be ready to re-assess your position if you aren\u2019t getting to where you want to be. Also, it\u2019s always valuable having others alongside you, to share their knowledge and experience with you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n About JCK<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n