At a glance
- The IFA has named Somerset’s Andrew Coombs as its Rising Professional of the Year.
- Judges praised his tech-driven innovations, and the strength of his client service.
- His initiatives include setting up a community interest company to make business support more accessible.
For Andrew Coombs of Kings Oak Accounting, innovation is not just vital to growth; it’s also a key to his client service approach.
The Somerset accountant was named IFA Rising Professional of the Year at the recent IFA Conference, with judges praising his innovative practice.
“For me, innovation isn’t just about technology – it’s about finding better ways to serve, connect, and make a difference,” he says.
“I’ve focused on building efficient, client-first systems using tools like Engager and Go Proposal, which have transformed how we manage onboarding and proposals, making the process seamless for both us and our clients.”
Coombs says that when used well, technology helps Kings Oak staff to spend more time with their clients.
“We take time to truly understand each client’s business, goals, and pain points so we can offer advice that’s practical, personal and forward-thinking.
“We focus on building strong, long-term relationships grounded in trust, responsiveness, and consistency.”
Having an effect
To drive local impact, Coombs is in the early stages of setting up a community interest company to offer accessible business support in Somerset for those who can’t currently afford traditional advisory or compliance services.
“I believe everyone deserves the chance to succeed in business, regardless of their starting point, and I want to be part of making that possible,” he says.
“Innovation isn’t just about technology – it’s about finding better ways to serve, connect, and make a difference.”
Andrew Coombs, Kings Oak Accounting
Coombs believes he has now built social purpose into the company’s routine practices. He has partnered with international social enterprise B1G1, an international platform facilitating business charitable giving. The partnership means every action taken on behalf of a client – big or small – triggers a charitable impact somewhere around the world.
“It’s a way of showing that everyday business decisions can contribute to something much bigger,” he says.
“Through our work and our partnership with B1G1, every business action we take creates a positive ripple effect around the world. We’re aiming to reach 100,000 global impacts by 2030, and that purpose drives a lot of what we do.”
Influences and growth
Coombs began his financial services career in 2007, before joining his father’s accounting practice in 2018 with a view to succession planning. Since then, he credits two key sources with helping him grow the business to what it is today.
“[My father] gave me the opportunity to step into the business and supported me through my studies and professional development,” he says.
“What’s made the biggest difference is the balance he gave me – freedom to modernise the practice, implement new systems, and make decisions, while still offering guidance when needed. That level of trust and support has been instrumental.”
Coombs says joining the IFA in 2021 has also been a boon.
“It’s been the ideal platform to grow, innovate and make a real impact. Being part of the IFA community means being surrounded by like-minded professionals who care deeply about helping small businesses succeed.
“It’s a space where innovation, collaboration, and high standards are encouraged. Since joining, I’ve felt genuinely supported and inspired, and it’s reinforced that I’m in the right place to grow both professionally and ethically.”
Discover further resources for IFA members here.
