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Coffee with…Alison Spier

We are pleased to be an accountancy practice with a reputation for nurturing top-tier talent. With a hands-on approach to training, direct mentorship from senior accountants, and a diverse range of entrepreneurial clients, it’s an exciting place to build a career in accountancy.

But what really sets Alexander Knight & Co apart?

To find out, we sat down with Alison Spier, our Head of HR & Training, over coffee at Nostro, the first-class local cafe just yards from our office in the heart of Hale.

Q: Alison, Alexander Knight & Co has a strong reputation for its graduate trainee programme. What makes it so unique?

Alison:

It’s all about hands-on experience. We don’t believe in just keeping trainees at their desks, doing theoretical work or tucked away in an obscure department like many other firms. From the outset, they get real exposure to client accounts, tax planning, audits – you name it. And crucially, our senior accountants take a personal interest in their development. Each trainee gets a mentor onsite here in our Grade A office to guide them every step of the way.

 

Q: That sounds quite different from a lot of the big firms, where trainees can feel like just a number.

Alison:

Exactly! We’re not a corporate machine churning out accountants. We genuinely care about developing individuals. The training and support is bespoke for each person, tailored to their strengths and ambitions. Some might find they love working with start-ups, others might be drawn to tax strategy or offsite audits. We help them find their niche and help them to propel their career with us in accountancy.

Q: Do you only recruit people with finance or business degrees?

Alison:

Not at all. What we are really looking for is intellectual curiosity about business and finance. Some of our best trainees have come from backgrounds in maths, engineering, even history. If someone has an analytical mind, enjoys problem-solving, and has a genuine interest in how businesses operate, they could be a great fit.

Q: So, attitude and mindset matter more than a specific degree?

Alison:

Absolutely. We can teach someone how to read a balance sheet. What we can’t teach is that natural curiosity and drive to understand how businesses work. A positive, professional and enthusiastic attitude to everything is what we’re really looking for in people.

Q: Alexander Knight & Co is part of MGI Worldwide. What does that mean for trainees and senior staff?

Alison:

It opens up incredible opportunities. MGI Worldwide connects us with firms in over 100 countries, which means our team – both trainees and senior leaders can gain international experience, build global networks, and develop skills beyond what they’d get in a typical accountancy practice.

Many of our team members have had the chance to travel to international conferences, meet peers from different countries, and even work on cross-border projects. For trainees, this exposure is invaluable it helps them understand how business operates on a global scale and expands their professional network early in their careers.

It’s great for personal development too. Travelling, meeting new people, and working in different cultural and business environments builds confidence and adaptability. It’s not just about technical skills; it’s about growing as a professional.

Q: Hale seems like a fantastic place to work. What’s the appeal?

Alison:

Hale is a brilliant place to build your career. It has that village charm but with a really entrepreneurial spirit. There are so many exciting businesses here from tech start-ups to boutique brands and our clients reflect that. You’ve also got amazing restaurants, independent shops, and easy access to Manchester including the airport for international travel.

Q: The client base seems incredibly interesting at Alexander Knight & Co.

Alison:

It is! One day, you’re helping a local hospitality brand refine their financial strategy: the next, you’re advising a fast-growing tech firm on scaling their business, the next you’ll be auditing an international business. Our clients are ambitious, creative, successful – and they really value our input. That makes the work so much more rewarding.

Q: We know that Alexander Knight & Co looks for people who share its core values. What are those?

Alison:

First, integrity. Our clients trust us with their businesses, so we need to be honest, reliable, and always act in their best interests. Second, collaboration. Accountancy isn’t a solo sport we work closely as a team, and our best people are those who thrive in that environment. There’s a real buzz in our office. Our team is constantly bouncing ideas off each other, learning from one another, and sharing insights. Thirdly growth – which is crucial when you’re training.  Ultimately, we have a holistic approach to training – we support the whole person to grow professionally, personally and in terms of providing them with future career opportunities.

As an accredited training provider it means our people get structured, recognised training that puts them on the best possible career path. We support trainees through their qualifications whether that’s AAT, ICAEW or ACCA, covering exam fees and study materials. But beyond that, we give them the practical experience that makes a real difference. Some firms focus purely on the academic side, but we make sure our trainees gain practical skills too. By the time they qualify, they’re not just accountants they are confident professionals who understand business.

If you are eager to learn, excited by business, and want to be part of a team that genuinely cares about your development, then this is the place for you.

You’ll get hands-on experience, real mentorship, and the chance to work with incredible clients. It’s not just about becoming an accountant it’s about shaping a career that’s meaningful and fulfilling.

FOR MORE DETAILS ABOUT OUR GRADUATE TRAINEE PROGRAMME AND OUR CURRENT VACANCIES CLICK HERE.

 

 

 

 

 

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Coffee with Murray Patt…

We went to lively Altrincham-based California, the gourmet coffee shop on Oxford Road. The familiar clink of cups and the morning buzz are all around as we settled down with Murray to discuss the Chancellor’s latest Budget…

We went to lively Altrincham-based California, the gourmet coffee shop on Oxford Road. The familiar clink of cups and the morning buzz are all around as we settled down with Murray to discuss the IMPACT OF THE Chancellor’s latest Budget…

Q: Murray, is this one of your ‘go-to places’ then?

Murray: There’s plenty of choice in Altrincham and Hale and this is certainly high on our list as a decent place to have a coffee with clients, contacts or just to come along and think about business.

In my experience, they serve decent freshly roasted coffee and have an excellent brunch menu using locally sourced ingredients.

Q: Murray, let’s talk about the latest Budget. It seems like it’s packed with changes for business owners. What’s your overall take?

Murray: Absolutely. A lot of what we’d heard whispers about actually made it through – especially the increased national insurance contributions expected from businesses. It’s clear the Chancellor is looking to bridge the funding gap that exists, and this Budget seems to expect SMEs to contribute a fair bit more to support future investments. It’s going to be tough for many and the impact is looming large on the economy.

Q: Let’s talk NIC first. What are the main changes there?

Murray: Definitely an area to get on top of if you run a business. Starting in April 2025, Employers’ National Insurance Contributions (NIC) will go up to 15%. Plus, the threshold at which you start paying Employers’ NIC is dropping from £9,100 to £,5000, meaning a lot more of your employees’ earnings will be subject to NIC.

On the plus side, they’ve raised the Employment Allowance to £10,500, which should ease the burden for smaller businesses. But overall, for most SMEs, this NIC change is going to hit hard – higher contributions on a lower threshold means increased outgoings, just when everyone’s trying to keep costs down.

Q: And on top of that, there’s an increase in minimum wages?

Murray: Yes, both the National Living Wage and the National Minimum Wage are rising. It’s good news for employees, but it adds more financial pressure on employers. Many SMEs, which are already stretched, are going to feel this acutely, especially those in sectors like retail and hospitality. With rising wages and NIC changes, it’s a one-two punch for a lot of small business owners.

Q: What about entrepreneurs thinking of exiting their businesses? Are there any changes there?

Murray: There is indeed a window of opportunity to consider and we are seeing plenty of action here. The Business Asset Disposal Relief (BADR) rates are going up in April, so entrepreneurs considering an exit should note this. Until the 5th of April 2025, BADR rates remain at 10% although the standard rate of capital gains tax has increased from 20% to 24%. From 5th April 2025 the BADR rate increases to 14%, with a further increase to 18% for the 2026-27 tax year. We are seeing a rise in business sales as people aim to secure the current lower rates.

If you’re planning to exit soon, it might be worth accelerating those plans to lock in the better tax treatment while you can. But of course, careful planning here is essential and this is where our team can help.

Q: And I hear pensions are also being impacted? What’s the story there?

Murray: That’s right – this is a big one. The Chancellor has introduced an Inheritance Tax (IHT) on pension death benefits. So, if pension benefits are passed into an estate, they’ll be subject to IHT, which could significantly impact retirement and estate planning. Pensions were often seen as a tax-efficient way to pass on wealth, but this change means you may need to rethink that strategy.

It’s a complex area, and it’ll be crucial to look at how you’re structuring your pension and estate plans moving forward. We work with a range of financial advisers and can point people in the right direction for specific advice in this regard.

Q: With all these changes, any last thoughts for entrepreneurs and small business owners?

Murray: The key takeaway is that proactive planning will be more important than ever. The NIC and wage changes mean that managing cash flow and costs is going to be a big focus.

If you’re thinking of selling a business or planning for retirement, this Budget brings in some time-sensitive considerations. It’s worth sitting down with us to navigate the changes and make the most of any remaining opportunities – like the current BADR rates – before they disappear.

Navigating the latest Budget will be challenging for many business owners, but with the right planning, businesses can weather the changes and keep moving forward and our team is ready to guide our clients.

We went to lively Altrincham-based California, the gourmet coffee shop on Oxford Road. The familiar clink of cups and the morning buzz are all around as we settled down with Murray to discuss the IMPACT OF THE Chancellor’s latest Budget…

 

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