James
Hunt

Who I help

Owner-managed businesses. Start ups. Larger corporates. Groups.

How I help

Audit, Business and Strategic Advisory Services. Tax.

Sectors/ Support

All sectors. A focus on the technology, industrial and business service sectors.

“Not like other accountants.”

James Hunt is the Managing Partner of our Leeds office.

As Managing Partner James’ role includes driving the development and growth of the Leeds office as a hub for all the services we offer, co-ordinating with the different business units across the group to ensure we offer clients unparalleled service. A key part of the role is looking at the bigger picture, integrating and connecting up the different parts of the business so everything is pulling in the right direction whilst at the same time maintaining a fantastic team culture.

James also oversees a diverse client portfolio across both the Business Advisory and Audit team, providing solutions to clients’ challenges and supporting them to achieve their goals.

Objective viewpoint

“I believe that the best client relationships are the ones where you’re able to really get to know them as people, not just clients. When you understand their goals and motivations and develop that strong relationship, you build trust, you become the trusted advisor which then really adds value and weight to the advice we give.

Working with clients is rewarding. Knowing that you’ve been integral in them reaching a goal or saving them money, or time, is incredibly satisfying and one of my favourite parts of the job.”

Providing an amazing service

“We’re really lucky. We get to work with some amazing businesses, helping them to develop and grow. Everything we do at AAB is for our clients, our growth journey, expanding our services and specialisms it’s all with one goal in mind – providing an awesome service to our clients that they simply cannot get elsewhere.

I once had a client say to me ‘you are not like other accountants’ and that’s one of the best compliments I’ve ever had. We don’t want to be the same. We want to stand out. We want to disrupt and change the way accountancy is viewed.”

Developing people through the firm

“I began my career here as a graduate trainee and have worked my way up to partner so I see myself as a great role model for the possibilities available to our team.  As a result I’m passionate about developing people, coaching and supporting them and empowering them to shape and progress their careers in directions that excite and enthuse them.”

Advantage of technology

“Although we have seen significant technological developments over the past decade, the next few years promise even greater disruption, change and opportunity.

Part of my client facing role is to support clients as they embrace digital and cloud solutions so I’ve seen first hand how technology can transform a business, whether it be increasing efficiency through automation, managing data to produce high quality and user friendly financial information or freeing up time so clients can focus on the core business.

We embrace technology internally too and are always looking at ways we can use it to better communicate and serve our clients.  Although it can be great to jump on a video call for a catch up, nothing can beat more hands-on face to face ways of working or a visit to a client’s office to really get under the bonnet of their business.”

Bringing everything together

“I’m really looking forward to being the Managing Partner in Leeds.  Chris Jones, the previous managing partner described it as ‘one of the most exciting jobs in the firm’ and I can’t wait to get stuck into the role, whilst having some fun along the way.

My key goal is to build and grow the Leeds office, aligning the different parts of the business with the wider group, ensuring we’re supporting our existing and future clients to the best of our ability and continuing to re-invest in the local community in which we operate.

To achieve this I see my role as very much that of a facilitator, connecting up different team members and services to give our clients a fantastic experience.”