Here at Lewis & Co, we are delighted to share the news that our colleague, Adam Bailey, has qualified as an accountant.
“I don’t think it’s really sunk in yet,” says Adam. “The pandemic came in the middle of my studies, so it’s taken a while but it’s great that I’ve now achieved my goal of qualifying.”
He continues: “Workwise it’s a case of ‘business as usual’ but there is paperwork I can now sign-off in my own right and it does feel good to see my AAT certificate on the wall of our new office, alongside Gary’s and David’s.”
Adam says both Gary Cornwell and David Southall were very supportive while he was studying.
“That said, the syllabus has changed even in the time I’ve been studying, so I guess it’s useful for them to be refreshed as well – particularly with developments in AI for example,” he adds.
Adam joined our team on 9 April 2018. When he first left school, he worked in Argos part-time, before getting a job at AXA. After being made redundant, he was given the opportunity to work as a bookkeeper for a cleaning company, where he was introduced to the basics of online accounting using software such as QuickBooks and Xero.
He discovered that he enjoyed working with figures and then saw a job advert for a role at Lewis & Co. Not only was he interested in potentially becoming an accountant but he admits to being drawn to the job, as he only lived around the corner and could walk to the office!
Today, Adam’s role at Lewis & Co includes preparing self-employed accounts, self-assessment tax returns and VAT returns.
“What I really enjoy is problem-solving and helping clients be more tax efficient,” says. “For example, if a client’s tax bill seems too high, I like finding ways to help them, such as looking different things they can claim for. Having been here eight years, I also like seeing how our clients have grown over that time.”
Asked what sets Lewis & Co apart from its competitors, Adam says: “I believe it’s the friendly, yet professional, service we provide to our clients. We get to know them on a personal level and this makes it easier for them to contact us for any accounting query. We also turn things around pretty quickly, which often surprises newer clients who have become used to waiting longer previously.”
At the same time as qualifying, Adam is also settling into our new office in London Road, Southborough, as well as celebrating four decades of Lewis & Co and stepping-up to the challenge of navigating Making Tax Digital (MTD).
“I’ve only ever known our previous office but being here makes our firm feel revitalised and ready for another 40 years,” he says.
When he’s not in the office, Adam enjoys meeting up with friends socially, either at a pub or the driving range, while he also enjoys travelling – although that could be curtailed a little this year, as he’s currently looking to buy a house.