Ian Jarvis

Career History/Qualifications

Ian studied at the University of Leeds where he gained a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Computing and worked in Software and Database Development before deciding to study Accountancy in 2006. He became a Chartered Accountant in 2010.

Ian worked with SME and fast-growth businesses as an auditor with the big 4 before joining Clive Owen LLP in 2015, having experienced all aspects of owner-managed business accounting. His affinity for and interest in management accounting and financial systems led to him developing his unique expertise in this field.

Experience and expertise

Ian has a unique blend of accountancy and programming skills which complement each other perfectly in the digital age with technology once reserved for large corporations now more freely available.

He has created a specialist department within the firm to install and train clients in new systems. The team can then further support all aspects of managed services enabled by those systems.

Ian has developed the Clive Owen Managed Services (COMS) team from a start-up department in Darlington, to a nine-strong team covering all 3 offices.

The COMS team specifically utilise technology as an enabler for businesses to increase efficiency and reduce cost. His specialism is in reviewing clients’ current financial operating systems and providing cost-effective reporting solutions.

On the accountancy side, the COMS team offer:

• Client staff training in finance and bookkeeping
• Review and analysis of client produced management accounts
• Outsourced VAT and bookkeeping services
• Outsourced management accounting
• Full Virtual Finance Officer (VFO) functions including forecasting

In addition to their accountancy services, Ian and the COMS team can also provide specialist advisory services in the following areas;

• Cloud accounting systems and supporting applications.
• MRP (Materials Requirement Planning), Workflow, POP/SOP (Purchase Order Processing / Sales Order Processing).
• Applications than can improve efficiency and business performance such as Expenses and Forecasting apps.
• Ian also works closely with the Clive Owen Technology Services team who provide full Information Technology services to create cost effective, bespoke cloud software solutions to meet clients’ specific needs.
• Creating bespoke analysis and presentation software for clients to extract financial information from their existing accounting systems.

Ian now acts as a consultant, understanding clients’ needs for information and providing digital integration tools. He also regularly attends client board meetings to analyse, interpret and present critical financial data.

With the implementation of Making Tax Digital and the rise of accounting technology that can transform business, his areas of expertise allow him to offer accounting systems consultancy to clients helping them to make more informed decisions based on timely and accurate financial information.

Qualifications

Industrial Computing (BSc)

ACA

Professional memberships/directorships

Member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants for England & Wales.

Career highlights

Passing all his professional exams first time.

Being promoted to a manager within a year of being at a top-four firm, shortly before deciding to move on after the birth of his daughter.

Creating Clive Owen Managed Services (COMS) and being the first line of support for clients is a very challenging yet satisfying role.

Did you always want to be an accountant?

I wanted to be an airline pilot, so I joined the University Air Squadron and was lucky enough to get some flying hours in.

Hobbies and interests

Cyclist, runner and keen on all things outdoors.