About Abacus Accountancy
We want every business owner we work with to sleep better at night, knowing their finances are sorted and their future is bright.
Our Purpose
We want every business owner we work with to sleep better at night, knowing their finances are sorted and their future is bright—for their families, their teams, and their communities.
Our Mission
We're not just number crunchers. We're your financial partners—here to give you straight-talking advice, smart tech, and a friendly face when you need it most.
Our Story
Abacus Accountancy was founded in 1990 by Dave Walsh, starting out in a spare bedroom with a simple belief: accountancy doesn't have to be complicated, boring or reactive. Too many businesses put up with accountants who only show up at year-end with a tax bill and a stack of jargon.
Over 30 years later, we've grown from that spare bedroom to our current home at Brackenholme Business Park, but our approach hasn't changed. We combine modern cloud technology with genuinely proactive, human support. Our clients get an accountant who's part of their team—someone who understands their goals, stays ahead of deadlines and always speaks plain English.
We know your name, your business, and your goals. We spot problems before you do. And we make accountancy feel easy, not stressful.
Our Core Values
Four principles that guide everything we do.
Promise
We do what we say. Plain and simple. No hidden fees, no last-minute surprises. If we make a commitment, we stick to it.
Clarity
Accounting can be a headache, so we make it easy. We ditch the confusing jargon and explain things in a way that actually makes sense.
Curiosity
We don't just accept the status quo. We're always asking "why?" and "what if?" We explore new ideas and better ways to help you grow your business.
People
We're not just about numbers; we're about relationships. We care about our team, our clients, and our community. Your success is our success, and we're in this together.
Meet the Team
The people behind Abacus Accountancy.
Dave Walsh
Founder & Director
Founded Abacus in 1990, Dave has over 30 years of experience helping businesses thrive.
Dave Walsh
Founder & Director
Dave founded the business in 1990 in the spare bedroom. He opened his first office in the centre of Goole before moving to Pasture Road where Abacus spent 20 years with 'Sage' green walls and ceilings. Dave has never been responsible for decorating since but is an excellent electrician!
Tom Walsh
CEO & Director
Leading the firm's strategic direction and driving growth with a modern vision.
Tom Walsh
CEO & Director
After years of 'helping out' in Abacus during the holidays, Tom joined Abacus in 2010 having vowed he would never become an accountant. He loves finding new software and technology to improve the client and company experience.
Joanne Walsh
Data Administrator & Director
Keeping data accurate and systems running smoothly across the practice.
Joanne Walsh
Data Administrator & Director
Since the start of Abacus, Joanne has been a driving force in keeping Dave fed and watered through the long nights. Since retiring from her years in social work, Joanne is now a key member of the team and Mum to everyone.
Sarah Walsh
Practice Manager & Director
Ensuring the practice runs like clockwork so our clients get the best experience.
Sarah Walsh
Practice Manager & Director
Sarah started her Abacus journey with a summer internship in 2010. She can now be found working behind the scenes at Abacus, looking at ways to improve systems and processes for both staff and clients.
Sarah Mattheis
Account Manager
Delivering proactive advice and building lasting client relationships.
Sarah Mattheis
Account Manager
Sarah M recently joined the Abacus team in 2021. She brings with her a wealth of tax knowledge which the team are excited to learn from.
Beth Booth
Account Manager & Onboarding Specialist
Making sure every new client gets a seamless, stress-free onboarding experience.
Beth Booth
Account Manager & Onboarding Specialist
Beth joined the Abacus team in 2016. Her excellent organisational skills keep the team focussed and on track for upcoming deadlines. Beth is now the first touch point for new clients when they employ our services.
Beth Parkin
Account Manager
Dedicated to keeping clients on track with clear, friendly support.
Beth Parkin
Account Manager
Beth P is a recent addition to our team having joined Abacus in November 2021. Beth brings with her 6 years of experience and is currently working towards her ACCA. Her competitive drive keeps the rest of the team motivated and enthusiastic.
Rachel Ashley
Accountant
Ensuring accuracy and compliance across all client accounts.
Rachel Ashley
Accountant
Rachel joined the team in 2020 after a change in career from a secondary mathematics teacher. Who knew managing teenagers for 8 years would be such a transferable skill?
Nikki Chambers
Office Administrator
The backbone of the office, keeping everything organised and running smoothly.
Nikki Chambers
Office Administrator
Nikki joined the team at Abacus following a change in career from the NYCC Social Care Department. She has quickly adapted to the world of herding busy accountants.
Stevie Harness
Accounts Assistant
Supporting the team with bookkeeping and day-to-day accounts work.
Stevie Harness
Accounts Assistant
Stevie begun her training with us in summer 2022. She is currently working towards her AAT qualifications alongside gaining on the job experience within the practice.
Kate Welsh
Accounts Assistant
Helping clients stay on top of their numbers with care and precision.
Kate Welsh
Accounts Assistant
Kate joined Abacus in June 2023 after relocating from Kent. Kate is originally from Canada and before joining the world of accounting she was a teacher at a school for children with additional needs.
Jonathan Fenton
Payroll
Making sure your team gets paid correctly and on time, every time.
Jonathan Fenton
Payroll
Jonathan worked as an accountant at Abacus for 3 years after beginning his accountancy career in industry. He has recently specialised in Payroll and now takes the lead on all payroll tasks. Within the office he is known as the resident Excel Guru.