When you think of a stereotypical financial director, what sort of image springs to mind?
Probably someone stiff and uptight, fairly straight-talking and very conservative, and probably a little bit bland.
For us, we just can’t shake the image of Steve Carrell in 40 Year Old Virgin. We know this is probably a bit unfair, but financial directors just seem to have this reputation.
We highly doubt your idea of a “Financial Director” is someone wearing loose, flowery clothing with dreadlocks in their hair – or even a comfortable shirt and jeans, with cool-messed-up-hair and the most up to date technology. It just doesn’t fit.
They’re not cool. They’re not very creative. And they’re just a bit boring.
Financial directors and the current perceptions
We’re not really alone in thinking financial directors are a bit boring. And sadly, this applies to accountants, too.
Whether you are familiar with and have used financial directors in the past, or not, the stereotypes related to either financial directors or accountants cast a bad light on those of us who are a bit different. We’ll look quickly at those stereotypes and then get on to destroying those stereotypes (in a good way).
From our experiences with various clients, friends and family, these are some of the current thoughts about what a financial director or typical accountant is like:
- Their idea of fashion revolves around the colour grey. It doesn’t matter what kind of colour, as long as it’s grey. No need to be flashy or show off – just a nice simple grey suit, and a briefcase to match.
- They are a bit bland and stuffy. They do everything by the book and to the letter of the law. You’d never find them throwing a bit of cash around on something expensive.
- They like their routine. They have a set way of doing things, and heaven forbid you should mess that up for them. Everything must be done in a certain order, but it does provide a set financial structure for your creative agency.
- They are a safe pair of hands. Whilst they might be a bit boring, they’re good for your business. They’re a safe pair of hands who know what they’re doing and who will tell you if something isn’t looking right. They’ll stop you from plunging into certain doom.
- They stifle innovation. But that means they often put a dampener on your great ideas. They’re safe, and won’t take any risk. So when you come to them with an exciting new direction or revolutionary concept, they’re too cautious and too wary. They’re a bit of a roadblock.
Is it time for a change?
Yes, we poke fun at them, but we love them really.
They might wear an outdated suit and have a face like they’re sucking sour lemons sometimes, but you know what, we like that! We leave them alone, they do their job, and we’re all happy.
Or are we?
Are you happy with the current financial state of your creative agency, and the grey suit of your financial director (or accountant)? Or is it possible (gasp) that your accountant or financial director could be a hip, jeans-wearing, all-Mac-using, “let’s try this brilliant new idea” kind of person?
Surviving as a creative agency is hard enough at the best of times, which is why you need a financial director who not only helps you, but also gets you.
The financial director of the future
Financial directors are changing. They’ve taken the old stereotypes and are turning them on their heads to help businesses and creative agencies expand and prosper.
Being good with numbers is an absolute given. To really drive your business forward, you need a financial director with more innovative and modern characteristics. You need someone who:
- Won’t stand in your way
Rather than stifling your ideas and putting up a roadblock, the ideal financial director will be leading the charge instead. They’ll recognise the need to implement new ideas, and be at the forefront of doing it. Give them a challenge, they’ll thrive on it.
- Is not afraid to speak their mind
You don’t want a boring financial director who will work with things as they are. You want someone who will happily rip apart your way of doing things and tell you how to do it better. Like saving money, and using XERO. Essentially, they’ll have a pair of balls and be ready to challenge the norm.
- Has a creative flair
You’re a creative agency, you should have a creative financial director too. Why have someone who destroys ideas, when they can be coming up with great ones instead? You should have a financial director who is excited for the future and eager to do something new!
Where to find the creative financial director
One important thing to mention is that the staid, boring financial director or accountant suits some people. You may want someone very conservative, and very not like you.
But if you’re like most of the creative agencies we work with in Manchester, you’d rather have someone you get along with. Have a laugh (and a beer) with. Can go to with your brilliant new ideas and not be shot down.
Naturally you’re welcome to work with us. Or, if you’d like to look around, here are some suggestions:
- Write up the job description for your perfect financial director
- Check LinkedIn
- Search Google for accountants (or financial director) and creatives
- Ask around. You’d be surprised who your friends and colleagues might know – if they know what you’re looking for.
- Share the description with your team and see who they know
We admit that finding a creative financial director might be difficult. But there are more and more of us – and yes, we put ourselves strongly in that category.
We’re creative ourselves, we’re in pretty nice offices in the centre of Manchester, we don’t always wear suits (but we will sometimes), we talk your language, and best of all, we manage to be good accountants and creative people too.
And grey is not our favourite colour.
