In the world of accounting, few industries are as fast-paced and unpredictable as the creative sector. Whether it’s film producers juggling international shoots or freelance designers navigating last-minute tax filings, the accounting support must be equally agile.
Our client—a boutique UK accounting consultancy—understands this world intimately. For over two decades, they’ve built a thriving practice exclusively for creative professionals. But in early 2024, an internal shakeup threatened to disrupt everything.
Here’s how Accelus stepped in to stabilise operations, re-establish workflows, and future-proof their service delivery—all within 90 days.
Client Snapshot
- Location: UK, with a remote-first team
- Established: 2002 | Rebranded: 2019 to emphasise digital transformation
- Clients Served: 300+ across film, design, and performing arts
- Core Services: Bookkeeping, cloud-based VAT returns, self-assessment filings, and creative-sector advisory
The Challenge: A Sudden Staff Exit & Broken Processes
In Q1 2024, two key team members resigned unexpectedly—leaving behind incomplete work, undocumented processes, and growing uncertainty.
Key issues included:
- ❌ No handovers or process documentation
- 🔄 Unstructured client workflows, each handled differently
- ⏳ Untracked deadlines and rising risk of non-compliance
- ⚠️ Zero visibility into job status, priorities, or bottlenecks
The senior partner was overwhelmed, unable to delegate or scale, and under pressure from clients awaiting deliverables.
The Accelus Response: Lean, Hands-On Support
We responded immediately with a 2-FTE Dedicated Offshore Team, tailored for both recovery and sustainability.
🔹 1 Full-Time Bookkeeping Specialist
Handled client record clean-up, transaction reconciliation, and VAT prep for over 100 client accounts.
🔹 1 Full-Time Practice Administrator
Took charge of query resolution, deadline tracking, documentation control, and daily coordination with the UK team.
Our team was embedded within the firm’s workflow—delivering full visibility and execution without heavy onboarding or disruption.
Implementation Roadmap: 3 Phases, 90 Days
🔹 Phase 1: Stabilisation & Audit (Weeks 1–2)
- Reviewed 90+ active client files
- Flagged 50+ urgent compliance actions
- Categorised risks by priority and initiated clean-up
- Opened communication lines with clients for clarification and records
🔹 Phase 2: Process Rebuild (Weeks 3–4)
- Rolled out standard templates for VAT and bookkeeping
- Built central trackers for jobs, queries, and deadlines
- Launched daily sync calls with senior partner for transparency
🔹 Phase 3: Performance Optimisation (Month 2–3)
- Introduced weekly dashboards for operations visibility
- Cut average file processing time by 38%
- Reduced client query response time from 3 days to under 24 hours
- Enabled partner to shift focus back to advisory work
Key Outcomes
✅ 38% reduction in time per client file
✅ 92% of queries closed within 24 hours
✅ 100% statutory deadlines met post-engagement
✅ Zero backlog within 8 weeks
✅ Firm capacity expanded by 15+ new clients/month—with no new internal hires
Conclusion: From Chaos to Clarity
This engagement proved that the right offshore strategy doesn’t just fix what’s broken—it builds what’s better. In less than 3 months, we helped the firm regain control, reduce pressure on leadership, and deliver a consistently excellent client experience.
With Accelus, they didn’t just recover—they reset for growth.
📩 Is your firm facing scaling pressure or internal disruption?
Let’s build a recovery plan that works for you—fast.
