Lee Coombes MICB runs a thriving practice remotely from the southeast coast of Spain, where he relocated thanks to a digital nomad visa. He’s an advocate for MTD, and has prepared his practice and his clients to make the most of the opportunities ahead.
Lee began his bookkeeping journey with ICB in 1999, taking a distance learning course as part of his training in accounting and tax. He officially launched his own practice in 2012 and has built it into a 400-client business with his mother and partner also now on the team.
A long-time advocate of digital bookkeeping, Lee digitised his practice two years ago and has been preparing for Making Tax Digital (MTD) ever since. “MTD is massive for bookkeepers,” he says. “It’s such a huge opportunity - if you get it right. There are so many accountants who don’t want to do the quarterly reporting, and that’s where bookkeepers can step in.”
Lee’s forward-thinking approach has earned him industry recognition: he’s been shortlisted for the Accounting Excellence Award for Digital Transformation.
His approach is firmly rooted in using the right tech to deliver streamlined services at a sustainable pace. “We’ve been ready for MTD for a long time. We were ready the first time around, two years ago,” he says. He’s worked closely with software partners like Sage and AutoEntry to test and promote tools such as Accounts Prep, which he describes as “an absolute game-changer.”
Lee has also created new MTD-specific packages to attract new clients and smooth the transition for existing ones. “We tagged all our clients by turnover, emailed them directly, and offered discounted pricing if they came on board early. That way, when MTD comes in, it’ll feel like nothing new.”
All new clients are now put straight onto an MTD-ready package with monthly billing and ongoing support. “We don’t offer once-a-year packages anymore,” he says. “Everyone’s going to be on MTD eventually, so we just build it into the service now.”
Key to his model is the belief that digitisation should make life easier - not harder - or both clients and bookkeepers. Tools like AutoEntry, Client Window and Streem Connect help him collect data in real time and communicate efficiently.
Lee encourages fellow bookkeepers to embrace the opportunity. “Don’t do four crazy months a year - do 12 manageable ones. That’s how we’ve built our workflow. If we get 20 minutes free at the end of the day, we can just pick up a few clients’ work and stay on top of it.”
He’s also clear on the role bookkeepers can play in the whole process: “We don’t let clients submit their own quarterly returns. We do all the submissions, quarterly and annual, for them. A lot of accountants just hand the software over. But if you position it well, clients are more than happy for you to take it off their hands.”
As a long-standing member of ICB, Lee continues to be active in training, compliance and community support. He credits ICB’s MLR resources and structured CPD as crucial to maintaining good habits. “I’d rather go above and beyond with compliance. We do biometric ID checks and charge a registration fee - clients accept it because it’s professional and clear.”
Lee will be speaking at the Virtual Bookkeepers Summit on 20 November, sharing practical advice on how to make MTD work for your practice. He’ll explain how early planning, smart tech, and simple communication with clients has enabled his practice to be fully prepared, stress-free - and ahead of the game.
