About Us

Jonathan Gaunt

Founder and Managing Director

How I add value for your business

I work with my clients to:

• Help them get more from their underlying business model.
• Boost their confidence and business decision-making.
• Achieve their goals and grow their businesses.

When I started working at FD Works

Founded the company in 2013.

What I did before working at FD Works

As a Chartered Management Accountant, I followed the traditional route of working in large corporate businesses, but I’d always had the dream of running my own business.

So, in 2013, I turned my back on corporate life to set up FD Works, with the simple aim of providing ambitious owner-managed business with hands-on finance support. Our goal was to be our clients’ ‘best friend in finance’.

What I love about working here

Behind brilliant business are brilliant people – and I love working with ambitious business owners.

It’s about having the vision to know where you want to take your business, it’s having the passion and energy to make things happen, it’s about winning the hearts and minds of others and bringing them with you.

Barbara Gaunt

Office Manager

How I add value for your business

I work with clients and the rest of the team to:

• Process all customer payments.
• Assist the Managing Director.
• Run all the day-to-day aspects of the office.

When I started working at FD Works

July 2013

What I did before working at FD Works

After studying a degree in Business and Finance, I’ve worked in customer service roles for over 20 years.

What I love about working here

It’s great to work in a business with people who care about their company and doing a good job.

Louis Phillips

Finance Business Partner

How I add value for your business

Not everyone wants to get the same thing out of running their own business. Some have aspirations to take over the world with an innovative idea whilst others just want the freedom to work the hours they want. The important thing is that every business owner has an ambition which they want to achieve, and my job is to help make that happen.

I want to make the ‘boring’ aspects of finance easy and stress-free for you whilst shining a light on the more interesting and insightful things that will help you make better decisions.

But this can only work if we are players in your business, not spectators. Finance can be so much more than the perceived annual accounts or a VAT return, and it is my job to show you how.

I find my diary looks different every day but some of my more regular work for clients include management accounts, forecasting and general account management.

When I started working at FD Works

August 2015

What I did before working at FD Works

I joined the FD Works team as an apprentice after finishing A-Levels, which now feels like a lifetime ago!

Over the years I’ve worked here, I’ve been involved in almost all aspects of the business, from general bookkeeping all the way through to business partnering. I am AAT qualified and part CIMA qualified.

What I love about working here

For me to do my best work, I need to be working with interesting and passionate people. At FD Works, I get this not only from my peers around me but also our client base which we have carefully selected to be right for us.

FD Works has supported me from being a school leaver with little idea of what finance means, to being a team leader with a wealth of experience in supporting small business owners. I am beyond thankful for this and genuinely believe myself to be lucky to work for a firm and with clients who make it enjoyable to come to work each day.

Joshua Hendy

Financial Controller

How I add value for your business

I work with my clients to:

• Complete their bookkeeping, VAT returns and prepare their Year End Accounts.

When I started working at FD Works

October 2014

What I did before working at FD Works

I completed my A Levels in 2013, but I had no idea what I wanted to do in the future. After a year, I realised that accountancy was the career I wanted to fulfil, and so started my apprenticeship with the firm. Since then I have successfully completed my AAT qualification. 

What I love about working here

I enjoy having different levels of responsibilities for a varied range of clients, as I feel this constantly enhances my knowledge.

Elizabeth Jones

Operational Lead

How I add value for your business

I will ensure that your numbers are reconciled to a high standard before preparing year-end accounts. I can help with VAT returns as well as Self-assessments. Building a good rapport with my clients is something that is important to me looking for areas within your finances where things can be improved using a number of great services we offer.

When I started working at FD Works

Feb 2019

What I did before working at FD Works

I started my career at a big insurance company where I started to study AAT. Since then I have worked in small businesses before joining FD works where I feel I am best placed, helping a range of clients

What I love about working here

I love the fact that everybody is hands-on and all work together as a team. Being a small firm means that you touch every aspect of finance in one way or another.

Brooke Hillier

Finance Controller

How I add value for your business

I really enjoy building up relationships with clients and getting to know what is important to them. I complete all manner of bookkeeping tasks, and am always on hand for any queries or help needed.

When I started working at FD Works

February 2020

What I did before working at FD Works

I worked in a Solicitors firm for a while before moving to Australia for a year. I had some exposure to finance across some of my previous jobs and decided this was something that excited me, so I joined FD Works when I moved back to the UK.

What I love about working here

The team are all very driven and happy to help out where needed. You can really see the value we add to businesses, which makes the work we do very rewarding.

Mike Evans

Finance Business Partner

How I add value for your business

I work with my clients to:

• Create an accurate and up to date representation of their business in Xero.
• Ensure bookkeeping, VAT returns year-end accounts are completed accurately and on time.

When I started working at FD Works

March 2020

What I did before working at FD Works

I studied accounting and finance at UWE then after graduation, I worked in industry with a FTSE 500 construction company and spent a few years at a small accountancy firm in Bristol.

What I love about working here

I enjoy having close contact with clients and focusing on data quality to provide accurate reporting. It’s great to work in an accountancy firm where I spend more time helping clients use finance to manage their business and achieve goals rather than just doing compliance work.

Beth Perry

Finance Controller

Amelia Carter

Accounts Technician

How I add value for your business:

I am keen on achieving a close relationship with clients and building a mutual sense of trust so the clients feel they can raise any concerns, questions or ask anything of me with no reservations. I’m a big believer in having trust and good communication as key to success.

When I started working at FD Works:

August 2021

What I did before working at FD Works:

I worked at an online distribution centre for 3 years before starting at FD works. I started there when I was 16 during college and worked part-time on weekends. Then when I finished college and got my 4 A-levels during lockdown in 2020, I picked up more shifts in the week and started working many more hours. This resulted in a big increase in responsibilities. However, alongside working more hours this past year during covid, I was also looking for an apprenticeship to begin my dream career as university never stood out to me or suited me.

What I love about working here:

Ellis Baker

Accounts Technician

What value do you bring to our clients:

I work on general bookkeeping tasks i.e. bank reconciliation, payment runs, VAT returns etc, and am keen to build strong relationships with clients so I can help them accomplish their goals.

When I started working at FD Works:

February 2022

What did you do before FD Works: 

I completed my A-levels and received grades during lockdown 2020. I then worked various jobs over the next year and a half, the most recent one being an Accounts Admin at a car dealership, where I learned basic but valuable accounting skills. This experience became very useful when applying for an apprenticeship, as I knew exactly what I wanted from the role. I am now studying towards my Level 3 AAT Assistant Accounting qualification.

What I love about working here:

The togetherness of the workplace, as FD Works has a small number of employees, everyone knows each other really well. Working in a happy, supportive environment leads to everyone producing their best work. Everyone is so motivated and driven to meet client goals and their own personal goals. I also love having the ability to work towards my qualification all while learning new skills in the workplace from colleagues who have been through the same process. I intend on completing my level 3, then going onto level 4 and CIMA.

Dan Gough

Payroll Manager

How I add value for your business

I’ll ensure your employees pay the correct tax and national insurance. I’ll make sure that you’re kept up to date with changes in payroll legislation, and most importantly, guarantee that your staff are paid on time every month.

When I started working at FD Works

March 21

What I did before working at FD Works

I travelled the world & lived in Australia for a year or so after college, before moving home to the UK and starting my career in finance. I started working as an accounts apprentice whilst studying AAT before quickly being promoted to accountant.

What I love about working here

If I don’t know the answer, I know someone in the team will!