Life as a Finance Director: James

Hello, James Barbour here, Finance Director at Zappshelter. You might think of me as the ‘Chief Beancounter,’ but my role encompasses more than just daily financial operations. I’m also deeply involved in the strategic execution and management of our medium-to-long term financial aspirations.

1. Why did you join Zappshelter?

After 19 years in the visual communications sector, I decided it was time to seek a new opportunity. I was looking for a well-rounded business with a great product, on an upward trajectory, where I could add value and achieve some personal goals. Six months later, in July 2022, I joined Zappshelter, the UK’s fastest-growing and most innovative company in its market space. From my first meeting with Craig and Jake, I was hooked by their cultural values, philanthropic ethos and their shared vision for the future. With each passing year, that vision has become a reality. Plus, the company has been incredibly supportive of my goal to achieve chartered accountant status with CIMA through distance learning. I’m now studying for my eighth exam out of twelve, so I’m making steady progress.

2. What does a normal day as a Financial Director look like?

Mornings at Zappshelter HQ often start with me marveling at the team’s caffeine intake, as a non-tea or coffee drinker! My aim is to meet or exceed stakeholder expectations and live by the philosophy of ‘what did you achieve today to make tomorrow better?’ My daily routine is structured, but it includes a good blend of cross-functional collaboration on operational, tactical and strategic matters. Naturally, we keep a keen eye on the financial markets; the current geopolitical situations make forecasting challenging, but we believe we’re well-equipped for any future challenges. Craig keeps us all busy with company initiatives, from enabling new markets through product innovation to the current expansion of our HQ, which are all strategic objectives from our business plan to create sustained future value.

3. What’s challenging about your work?

The accountancy profession is constantly evolving, and keeping up with accounting standards and UK tax legislation is crucial. I set aside 30-45 minutes daily for CPD review of reliable online resources from AAT, CIMA, and Croner-i.

4. What are the key skills for success?

Humility and objectivity have been essential throughout my career. With the rise of digital technologies, a digital mindset is crucial for modern finance professionals. Embracing process automation software is vital for a forward-thinking organisation.

5. What’s the biggest mistake you’ve made at Zappshelter and what did you do to fix it?

Not a mistake, but data file errors in our accounting program are always frustrating. Despite taking precautions, they still occur. It’s just one of those things you can’t always control.