The Story Behind Get Smart
The Why Behind What We Do
A few years ago, we found ourselves sitting at the kitchen table late one night, wondering what had gone so wrong and even questioning whether our marriage was worth saving.
Get Smart Accountants was launched in 2020, born out of a very personal need for change.
Paul was running his own accounting business. He had some great clients and a small team, but despite the long hours, he wasn’t moving forward. Year after year, it felt like the same business on repeat. He was frustrated and falling out of love with the work he once enjoyed.
Emma was teaching, pouring 60+ hours a week into a role she loved. But her health was deteriorating. Struggling with chronic back pain, Emma’s consultant said bluntly: “Give up the job, or face the reality that within a couple of years you could be in a wheelchair.”
At the same time, our family life felt like it was unravelling. Our eldest had gone to university, only to return home after her first year homesick, unhappy, and determined not to go back. Our middle child was studying hard for exams but felt utterly lost about her future, and it was taking a toll on her mental health. Our youngest had just left school for college, but a call from the attendance officer revealed he was skipping every class.
Everything around us felt like it was falling apart. And it seemed so unfair, we were working so hard, but life and business just weren’t aligned.
It was time for a change.
Emma finally faced the back operation she’d been putting off and resigned from teaching. Paul closed down his business. And together, we started again with a vision for something new.
We wanted to build a business that didn’t just demand everything from us, but one that gave something back. A business that worked for our family and our future.
That was the moment Get Smart Accountants was born.
Our journey changed not only our lives but also the way we work.
We built Get Smart Accountants on the belief that financial clarity empowers better decisions, stronger businesses, and happier lives.
Those challenges changed the way we saw everything, life, business, and success. We realised that working harder wasn’t the answer; working smarter was. So, we built Get Smart Accountants on principles that reflect what truly matters to us and to our clients.
Today, our focus isn’t just on balance sheets and tax returns. It’s on helping business owners create profitable, sustainable businesses that support the life they actually want not one that drains them.
We keep things simple, clear, and jargon-free. We believe in open communication, proactive advice, and building lasting relationships based on trust. Every client we work with has a story, a family, and a vision for the future and our job is to help them align their numbers with that vision.
That’s why everything we do, from our 5-Step Get Smart Process to the way we communicate, is designed to give clients clarity, confidence, and control so they can build the business and life they deserve.
Our Mission
We provide clear, timely financial insight-without jargon or guesswork – so ambitious entrepreneurs can make confident decisions, grow their business and achieve true freedom.
Our Vision
To be the go-to outsourced finance team for ambitious entrepreneurs, bringing clarity, driving growth and creating freedom, so they can live and work on their terms.
Our Values
We genuinely care about our clients, their families, and their businesses. By taking the time to understand their goals and challenges, we build trusted relationships that go beyond numbers and create real impact.
We believe success is a shared journey. By working closely with our clients and each other, we share knowledge, ideas, and support to help everyone grow stronger together.
We’re open, honest, and genuine in everything we do. What you see is what you get, no jargon, no pretence. Transparency and trust are at the heart of every relationship we build.
We hold ourselves accountable for our actions and always act with integrity. We learn from experience, continuously improve, and do what’s right — for our clients, our team, and our business.
Our clients choose to work with us and stay with us because we care about their success as much as they do.
Many come to us after feeling let down elsewhere, frustrated by poor communication, confusion, and a lack of real support.
We understand how that feels, and that’s exactly what we’ve built Get Smart to change.
They tell us they were:
Overwhelmed by slow or unclear communication from previous accountants.
In the dark about their financial position, cashflow, and HMRC obligations.
Treated like a number, rather than a valued client whose goals truly mattered.
We do things differently. We keep communication clear, advice proactive, and relationships personal, so our clients always know where they stand, what’s next, and how to move forward with confidence.
Real Voices. Real Results.
Paul and Emma are more than just accountants, they have become my friends too and are both super patient with all my questions too 😆 They are responsive, helpful, clear and concise and a pleasure to work with 😊
Fantastic accountants, Paul & Emma in particular make a great team, always available to help when needed, helps business to grow, would definitely recommend!
Get Smart Accountants have been a breath of fresh air, giving me real and detailed insights into my business finances that will only help me going forward. Their onboarding and transfer process was smooth- no issues. Absolutely recommend!
I can't fault this team. We need an accountant who tells us what we need to know, to work with us to grow our business and not just fill the forms in. We need an accountant to help us plan for the future and take a proactive stance. They're communicative, straightforward and explain things without jargon. I wish we'd found them years back.
What a refreshing change to have an accountant proactively suggesting a call and then...shock horror...some ideas to improve both cashflow and the bottom line. In a world of box tickers., it pays to think outside it, these guys do!
Its our end of year accounts soon so will be seeing Paul soon to go through them . The great thing about Get Smart accountants is we get help from them all year round not just at end of year . Its so beneficial for us to get advice on how best to run the business and what we can be doing to reduce costs and increase our profit. Really feel they are part of our team . Would recommend that you have a chat with them and I'm sure they can help you do the same
We LOVE Get Smart Accountants. Fantastic service from start to finish and well worth the investment we put in every month. Paul and Emma do a brilliant job, they're knowledgeable and have great communication skills. They go above and beyond to help their clients, not only with general book-keeping, but with future business planning and progression. We'd never go anywhere else 😀 Charlotte & James at Photos.co.uk
Paul and Emma have been great from day 1, always there to give great advice with a personal approach to our accounts.
Fantastic service. Thoroughly recommended. Excellent support for growing businesses. Professional, expert, friendly, at your side not only for compliance but cheering you on to forge forward with systems and procedures to significantly improve business performance.
We asked paul to help us out when we had got in a mess with a hasty purchase of quickbooks, he assisted us and also advised, as well as a great deal of hand holding and finally got our accounts straight again, his knowledge on partnerships , vat to name a few has been invaluable and is a breath of fresh air to deal with , thank you 🙂
I couldn't ask for better accountants! Paul and Emma are brilliantly down-to-earth, easy to talk to and fabulous at what they do. They have helped us shape our business from the outset, advising on the best ways to operate all our financial functions and helping us make our business and personal income tax efficient. They have gone over and above to help us deal with inheritance tax matters and have more than paid for themselves with the savings made and their stress-free way of handling everything on our behalf. I can wholeheartedly recommend Get Smart Accountants for their knowledge, support and personal service.
5 star accountants. I have been working with Paul and Emma for the past 7 years, since the start up of my business. With their help, and Xero, I don't really have to worry about the accounting/bookeeping side of my business, i know it is well looked after. I would highly recommend. Many thanks guys
The advice and support you receive from Paul is 1st Class. He makes understanding accounts simple. Nothing is too much trouble for him. I can't thank you enough Paul and would not hesitate to recommend you to friends/contacts of mine - thank you x
More than just an accountancy service! With their expert help and knowlegde of accountancy systems / services we've been able to streamline our whole process saving time and money. We now have a clear understanding of our business finances, and where required if we need assistance they are on hand in a prompt and efficient manner. Whatever your business size I would recommend Get Smart Accounts highly.
Paul and the team at Get Smart have been knowledgable, helpful and kept me well informed about my accounts. Now I can manage my business finances when and where I get the opportunity and know I always have the best advice.
A fantastic team! Since signing up with Get Smart they have set me up on Xero accounting software, provide support when I need it - however daft my questions are, and are always quick at coming back to me. I am confident in putting my business finances in the capable hands of Get Smart and would recommend them to anyone who needs an Accountant, whatever the size of their business. Thank you Paul & Emma.
Diverse knowledge in all financial aspects of countless business’s. If they don’t know they ll find out. My business is aiming to be a profitable business in the future after having some difficult years. Paul has given me the knowledge and tools for this to be a reality. Highly recommend this company.
We’re not just here for the numbers — we’re here for the journey.
Through the highs, the lows, and every decision along the way, we’ve got your back.
If you’re looking for accountants who get it — who understand where you’ve come from and are excited about where you’re going — we’d love to hear your story.
Get Smart Accountants – helping people to live their best life
