Jack's LinkedIn profile

I always knew I wanted to go into accountancy, but I wasn’t certain whether university was the right route for me. Instead, I joined what was then Jerroms in the Midlands on a school leaver programme and trained while working in practice. Looking back, it was one of the best decisions I could have made.

The ACCA qualification has opened doors throughout my career and given me opportunities I would never have imagined when I first started out. From training in the Midlands, I went on to work with EY in Birmingham and Deloitte in Aberdeen before becoming a partner and Audit Responsible Individual at Hall Morrice. More recently, I joined Acumon to lead the firm’s Scottish business, with a particular focus on growing our presence in the North East of Scotland.

One of the things I enjoy most about audit is the variety and the people you meet along the way. Aberdeen has a strong energy sector focus, but throughout my career I’ve had the opportunity to work across a wide range of industries and travel internationally to places including India, the US and Denmark. Every client is different, and you are constantly learning about new businesses, industries and challenges. It is a career that can take you in many different directions if you are prepared to embrace opportunities.

I think there can sometimes be misconceptions about accountancy as a profession, particularly around working in larger firms. My experience in the Big Four gave me exposure to complex international work, talented teams and excellent development opportunities. It provided a strong technical and commercial grounding that has helped throughout my career.

What attracted me to Acumon was the opportunity to help build a modern, forward-looking firm. While the business is headquartered in the South of England, I’m responsible for leading the Scottish business and developing our presence in the North East of Scotland, where we see a real opportunity for a progressive mid-tier practice focused on quality, innovation and client service.

Acumon is a Public Interest Entity (PIE) audit licence holder, meaning we operate under enhanced regulatory oversight and quality standards. For businesses that view audit as more than a compliance exercise, that provides additional confidence and reassurance around the quality of the work being delivered.

The profession is also entering one of the most significant periods of change I’ve seen during my career. Advances in AI and automation are already transforming the way accountants and auditors work, and I expect that pace of change to continue over the coming years. Routine and process-driven work is increasingly becoming automated, allowing teams to spend more time focusing on analysis, judgement and delivering value to clients.

For firms willing to embrace technology, there is a huge opportunity to work smarter and more efficiently while also improving quality. One of the advantages of being part of an independent firm is the ability to innovate quickly and adapt without layers of bureaucracy. At Acumon, we are investing heavily in technology and developing tools internally to support our teams, enhance audit quality and improve efficiency across both audit and wider compliance services.

Technology is also changing the skill sets firms need for the future. Analytical thinking, problem solving and understanding systems and data are becoming increasingly important alongside traditional accounting knowledge. The role of junior team members is evolving as well, with greater emphasis on reviewing outputs, understanding risk and developing critical thinking skills earlier in their careers.

Technology will continue to reshape the profession, but accountancy and audit are ultimately still people businesses. The firms that will succeed in the future are those that combine innovation and efficiency with strong client relationships, commercial understanding and professional judgement.

Outside work, most of my spare time is spent with my family and my two daughters, who keep life busy outside of work. I’m also a Watford FC supporter and still follow the club closely from Angus.