New director appointment in Leeds office

Northern Accountants is delighted to have promoted Mark Alderson to the board following a period of strong performance.

Mark joined as a senior Client Manager in 2022 after spending 11 years with a boutique accountancy practice in the Yorkshire Dales. Since joining us, he has demonstrated his ability to add value to clients’ organisations and support their wider business ambitions.

His promotion strengthens our leadership team and follows the acquisition of two other firms, which has expanded our reach to the western tip of the M62 and Hull.

The appointment also forms part of a wider internal structure improvement, designed to ensure clients receive the appropriate level of support as the business continues to expand.

“Some clients come to us because we can fulfil all their financial needs, with analysts and advisors on hand to drive business growth strategies too,” explained founding managing director Phil Ellerby. “This is where Mark excels, alongside Ricky Field, who was appointed as our Hull director. They look beyond the numbers alone, to uncover other factors that can become real enablers of business success.

“Other clients don’t require that level of support, but the quality of service should still be stellar. Our team ensures that remains the case as we continue to grow, enabling us to efficiently support an increasing number of clients.”

Five minutes with Ricky

First job, worst job, dream job?
First official job - working in Hull’s fruit market (Humber Street) in the morning and then selling the goods in the shop during the day (Superveg)
Worst job - I have not had a bad job, really, but working in Kwik Save stacking shelves in the PET aisle was grim - as I don’t like PETS
Dream job - Professional golfer, but only in the sunshine

What do you hate about your job?
Taking calls on the budget each year before the speech has even finished

How would you explain your job to a 10-year-old?
I help people in business sort their money out so they have enough to spend on their 10 year olds!

What do you order at the bar?
Anything alcoholic - normally a pint of premium lager or red wine - none of the weak stuff

Which person would you most like to meet and why?
Either Tiger Woods or Sir Alex Ferguson - two sporting legends

Dogs or cats?
Neither - I don’t like PETS - see worst job above (although I have started like some breed of dogs)

Coffee or tea?
Coffee in the mornings but I like both

What music do you like – artists or genre?
All genre’s but indie music is my go-to.
Artists - Oasis, Phonics, Gerry Cinnaman etc., and Rod Stewart and Freddie M

Favourite film or boxset?
A Few Good Men - FILM
Suits - Boxset

Who's your team? What's your sport?
To support - Man Utd - Football
Play - Golf

What’s a surprising skill or hobby you have that people wouldn’t expect?
Skill - I can make a bra from napkins or a large tea-towel

What's the best piece of advice anyone has ever given you?
Don’t eat yellow snow

If you could go back in time, what advice would you give your younger self?
Do you, it’s fine - not what others want you to do or be

If you had to describe yourself in five words, what would they be?
Happy
Joker
Stubborn
Sarcastic
Annoying/nightmare (on social nights out - apparently)

Five minutes with Mark

First job, worst job, dream job?
First Job - Working as a pot wash in a pub
Worst Job - Never had a bad one
Dream Job -

What do you hate about your job?
The amount of time spent on hold with HMRC and how they often make changes without consulting on the actual impact on taxpayers

How would you explain your job to a 10-year-old?
I help people achieve their dreams

What do you order at the bar?
Pint of Guinness

Which person most like to meet and why?
Tiger Woods - great stories but to understand what it takes to be that much better than everyone else for such a sustained period of time

Dogs or cats?
Grew up with cats but would rather have a dog!

Coffee or tea?
Black Coffee

What music do you like – artists or genre?
Everything and Anything, from Taylor Swift to Foo Fighters to NWA and everything in between

Favourite film or boxset?
Fight Club

Who's your team? What's your sport?
Always been football and Newcastle United

What’s a surprising skill or hobby you have that people wouldn’t expect?
Really got into building Lego recently - running out of space to store/display it!

What's the best piece of advice anyone has ever given you?
Authenticity sells - be yourself.

If you could go back in time, what advice would you give your younger self?
Nothing ever matters as much as you convince yourself it does.

If you had to describe yourself in five words, what would they be?
Supportive, Sarcastic, Driven, Problem-Solver and Insane

Five minutes with Colin

First job, worst job, dream job?
Holiday work in my dad’s accountants - haven't escaped from the industry since
Still in the accountancy but had a horrible boss.
Ski/Snowboard instructor

What do you hate about your job?
Chasing clients for information which is needed to get the right solutions for them.

How would you explain your job to an 10-year-old?
Helping owners of businesses earn more money so they can spend it on the things they want to spend them on.

What do you order at the bar?
Beer (mostly a Guinness), Rum and Coke (got to be Kraken) or a cheeky Tequila if that's where the night's heading

Which person most like to meet and why?
Michael Jordan - Find out what its like/take to be the GOAT of a sport.

Dogs or cats?
Have both but got to say definitely Dogs

Coffee or tea?
Coffee in the morning & tea in the afternoon

What music do you like – artists or genre?
Listen to pretty much everything - one minute Luke Combs, next Elton John, then some Five
Favourite song - Dancing in the Moonlight - Toploader

Favourite film or boxset?
Wolf of Wall Street - nuts its based on a true story

Who's your team? What's your sport?
Sports to watch rugby (favourite team - Glasgow) or F1 (favourite team - McLaren)
Sport to play golf

What’s a surprising skill or hobby you have that people wouldn’t expect?
Can still pull of an impressive handstand and/or cartwheel.

What's the best piece of advice anyone has ever given you?
Don't accept criticism from someone you wouldn't take advice from.

If you could go back in time, what advice would you give your younger self?
Don't be afraid to speak out more and be confident in yourself.

If you had to describe yourself in five words, what would they be?
Calm
Thoughtful
Inquisitive
Consistent
Light-hearted