Celebrating the unsung heroes of finance and
accounting in the North West
Thursday 1 October 2015 at the Macron Stadium,
Bolton, North West England
Guide to nominating
Guide to winning
North West
Finance Awards 2015
What the Awards are all about...
For the past five years, the North West Finance Awards (NWFA) has celebrated the very
best of the region’s finance and accounting professionals, from every discipline and
from every level. Whether it’s been a credit control team or a financial director, the
Awards have been the prize for a year of hard work and endeavour.
”
The Awards are
are helping drive
excellence in
business across
the North West
Who the Awards are for…...
The Awards are all about recognising excellence among the
unsung heroes - the people who make business run smoothly.
They’re for everyone across the accounting and finance
professions, no matter what their seniority. The whole team
are in on the celebration - from purchase ledger and credit
manager to financial controller and finance director.
Where and When
It’s the biggest night of the year. Mix and mingle with your professional peers from all across industry in the
whole region. This year, the glamourous Awards dinner takes place on Thursday, 1st October, in the glittering
Premier Suite at the Macron Stadium Bolton.
When & Where?
Thursday, 1st October,
Macron Stadium Bolton.
Why you should nominate...
Being nominated is a huge complement. Whether giving or receiving, it’s a mark of high regard from colleagues
and business associates. A nomination can come from someone you work with, or a business partner, or
someone who simply recognises the effort you’ve put in over the past year. It’s a great way for anyone to say
thank you for all your hard work in the past year - as an individual or a team.
You can even nominate yourself. Our independent judging panel only see entries, and make their decisions on
merit alone. Making a nomination is quick, easy and free - there’s no cost involved, so you can make as many
deserving nominations as you wish.
A great night out is just
the beginning...
You’ll be pitched against the best talent in the North West,
so your work will be judged against the best of your peers.
Right from the nomination stage, you’ll be engaging
with thousands of professionals in the North West, and
hundreds of businesses from every sector. By attending
the gala Awards dinner, you’ll be networking with up to
900 professionals, working hard in all business sectors
and all finance disciplines to be among the best.
”
Being nominated is
a huge complement.
It’s a mark of
high regard from
colleagues and
business associates.
How to nominate...
It’s easy, fast and free to nominate. There’s no cost for nominating, and no upfront cost to enter the North West
Finance Awards. That’s why everyone can enter, and you’re assured that you’re competing with the best of your
peers. Only if you make it through the rigorous judging panel to the finalist stage will you be invited to buy tickets
and attend the glamourous dinner.
You may have already filled out our ‘quick nomination’ form - it’s the easiest way to say who you think deserves
to have their name added to the North West Finance Awards Roll of Honour.
Congratulations! You’ve been nominated...
Regardless of position, the Awards acknowledge that every individual within a finance team is
crucial to the overall success of the business. You may think you’re among the unsung heroes,
but someone has spotted your effort and wants to say a very public thank you.
Being nominated shows you or your team are really appreciated by your colleagues, clients,
suppliers and business associates. Your nomination could have come from someone you work
with, or a business partner, or someone who simply recognises the effort you’ve put in over the
past year.
Now it’s your turn to repay that faith in your abilities, by putting in the best possible entry for
this year’s North West Finance Awards.
How to make a good nomination great…
You’ve been nominated and now you’re just a few steps and a little effort away from stepping up
on stage in front of hundreds of fellow professionals to take one of the coveted Awards.
It doesn’t cost anything to enter the North West Finance Awards, but it does take effort. Spend
a little time now and you’ll impress the judges later.
Let’s take a look at filling out the form. It’s simple and straightforward, and here’s how to catch
the eye - for all the right reasons and some of the wrong ones.
Here’s a nomination with a good chance of winning
North West Finance Awards Nomination
NOMINEE
CATEGORY
NOMINEE EMAIL EMPLOYER
NOMINEE NOMINEE ADDRESS
CONTACT
Modest
NWFA Accountancy Desmond.cashm Modest Accountants Desmond Accounting House,
Accountants Firm of the Year (up [email protected] of Lancashire
Cashman Preston Road,
of Lancashire to 5 partners)
Garstang, GA13 0AC
Details correct - shows a
named contact
Business Overview
A family-run firm of chartered accountants, tax and business advisers with four partners, 44 staff and four
North West offices. Founded in 1885, we have three decades of unbroken management by the same
experienced team. We have combined traditional values of personal service with the constantly evolving
demands of the modern business world, such as our informal text and chat service. We focus on the future,
starting where other firms finish. Obstacles overcome:- growing in the current economic climate, recruiting
staff with the right skills/expertise in the region and developing staff to raise their skills levels.
Overview is clear and
notes main challenges
Nomination Details
Innovative approaches to business generation & client retention:
The firm has a marketing plan, reviewed monthly.
We ask for client referrals, engage with professional referrers and direct mail campaigns.
We regularly contact potential clients of the right size, in the sectors we work with, and of the right
profitability.
We have a public relations plan that includes media coverage, community engagement, and business activities
(including participation in awards, awards sponsorship, exhibiting, hosting and attending business lunches and
seminars.
We publicise any business award participation and successes, resulting in significant new business.
We have an extensive programme of client engagement - our interest is not confined to year-end, and we
make value for our clients with regular contact, at least quarterly, throughout the year.
We carry out frequent regular surveys among our client base, and address any issues arising.
Evidence of going beyond the norm and exceeding expectations:
We quantify value we add to clients businesses - in current year we demonstrated was over three times fees
charged. We have developed specialisms: travel/transport/tourism/commercial vehicles/family business.
Added value services include performance improvement/business consultancy/cost reduction/asset
management. Developed new services including cost reduction / landlord businesses/ owner-managed
business. Significant growth attributable in past five years including 17% in past 12 months by added-value
business proposition.
Evidence of working with clients to help them improve their business performance:
Among our most significant success stories:
New cost reduction service saved client over £20k;
Raising six figure sum in support of company-wide charitable cause
Identifying funding for client development project of £2m to expand into logistics sector;
Advise restructuring for loss making client in travel business - rebuild relationship with bankers - turned into
profitable business.
Tax advice on £1m business sale resulting in significant tax savings.
Adding value to the wider financial community:
Senior board member appointed member of local employment partnership,
Our chief executive is joint chairman of a charitable organisation providing performing arts services to local
communities
Significant percentage of staff and partners undertake voluntary and community work, supported by the
company.
Evidence of training & development of staff:
All staff help develop business plans for each office for implementation.
Participation in developing new products and services, and identifying new business.
Regular “out-of-office” discussion groups, working to improve performance and efficiency levels.
Several accredited awards earned in the last 12 months for our innovative staff engagement programme.
Whole career training programme. Everyone has continuing personal development plan with at least five days
training annually, including one-to-one coaching every quarter.
Twice-yearly performance reviews and annual development appraisals.
Answers category
points
Clear, short,
to the point
Draws attention to
achievements
Here’s one with a good chance of being an also ran…
North West Finance Awards nomination
NOMINEE
CATEGORY
NOMINEE EMAIL
World
Purchase
Property
Ledger Team [email protected]
Development of the Year
EMPLOYER
WPD Ltd
NOMINEE
CONTACT
NOMINEE
ADDRESS
Call for
purchase
ledger
PO Box 234,
Manchester.
M1 2MT
Contact details are
incomplete
No individual, no
physical address
Business Overview
World Property Development is Europe's biggest property developer. We have opened 12 retail
stores in the last 12 months and the challenges this has created has meant lots of hard work and
new ways of working. As a company, there have been many financial changes and each one we deal
with professionally and accurately. We are still very determined to make this department even more
of a success in the next 12 months.
Nomination Details
We process thousands of invoices per month in a team of 6. Super accurate and super effecient. We
have implimented a new EDI invoice matching system and maintain continued success. We have
built up a great relatonship with our suppliers and feel we have an excellent working relationship
with all other departments too.
Overview is lacking
relevant details
Nomination has no detail, does
not answer category points
Hasn’t been checked, simple spelling
errors raise qustions over credibility
Impressing the judges
At the North West Finance Awards, we’ve made it simple to get your entry right first time.
Read through the categories with care - you’ll see we’ve helped by checking off the most important qualities in
each category.
You don’t have to make any expensive or time consuming presentations for these Awards, so you can concentrate
on the important points.
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
understand what you’re entering and stay on category
keep your entry relevant
include relevant details, name and company contacts
say the basics, don’t assume the panel know your company inside out
ensure the information supplied is fact not fiction, backed up with evidence
make written submissions clear and make it easy for the judges to spot success
have your application reviewed before submitting
quantify your achievements and fully describe their context
don’t leave entry to the last minute, for all the obvious reasons
don’t know? Ask the organisers. The worst questions are the ones left unasked
don’t exceed limits on word count, file size, images, duration
above all - don’t miss the submission deadline
If you want to see some return on effort, go in with a positive frame of mind. That sort of attitude comes across in
any well written submission, and will be picked up by the judges.
Do remember that the judging panel may not already be intimately familiar with your organisation. In the majority
of cases the judges will certainly not know the nominees themselves. So be sure to put everything in context and
explain any company terms you use.
”
It’s good to benchmark against other professionals,
regardless of their industry, and we really
appreciated the North West Finance Awards for
giving us the opportunity to do that.
-Debbie Lloyd, Meridian Business Support
FAQs
Why should I nominate?
You should make that nomination because this is the best compliment you can give to your colleagues and
clients. These Awards are judged solely on merit, and place professionals in competition with their direct peers
from all across commerce and industry. Our judging panel is made up of some of the brightest minds in finance,
and reach their decisions absolutely independently. If you want your colleagues, clients, suppliers and business
associates to be recognised for their excellent work, then a nomination for a North West Finance Award is the
best way to express your gratitude and admiration.
How do I nominate?
Visit the North West Finance Awards website (www.nwfinanceawards.co.uk). Click Nominate now. Follow the
simple instructions and submit. That’s all there is to it. We’ll send confirmations all round, and we’ll be in touch
and follow up with everybody concerned.
A nomination is a great way to thank you for outstanding work, and as there’s no cost to you or anyone you nominate, you can put forward as many individuals or teams as you like, even yourselves.
Who should I nominate?
Unsung heroes are the focus of the North West Finance Awards.
If you have worked with any outstanding individual or team in a
finance or accounting role, either in-house or in an agency, you
should nominate them for an award. It’s a great way to recognise their effort and say thank you. There’s no fee for entry, so
any deserving cases can be nominated on merit.
FAQs
What are the fifteen categories?
The Awards celebrate excellence throughout the finance and accounting professions.
Young Finance Director - Large Company Finance Director (£50m + turnover) - SME Finance Director (up to
£50m turnover) - Credit Team of the Year - The Credit Star Award - Assistant Accountant Award - Management
Accountant of the Year - Financial Accountant of the Year - Financial Controller - Small/Medium Finance Team
of the Year (up to 15 staff in the team) - Large Finance Team (over 15 staff) - Purchase Ledger Team of the
Year - Accountancy Firm of the Year (6 partners and above) - Accountancy Firm of the Year (up to 5 partners) Outstanding Business Performance Award.
For full details visit the Awards website www.nwfinanceawards.co.uk
How does the process work?
From nomination to winning at the North West Finance Awards is very straightforward. Once all the nominations
have been received and the entries completed, the outstanding finalists are announced. Be sure to submit you
entry by the deadline in late July - check the Awards website for this year’s date. Only then will finalists be invited
to purchase discounted tickets for the glamourous Awards night.
Final judging takes place on a full day shortly before the annual presentation. Only then will the winners will be
announced in front of another packed event. Afterwards, the new Award holders will be invited to a VIP lunch
to celebrate their success.
4
2
1
Submit your
nomination
1st Stage of Judging
3
6
Finalists invited to
buy discounted tickets
ahead of public sale
All finalists
are announced
North West Finance Awards
event takes place and winners
are announced.
5
Final Judging Day
4
7
Winners invited
to VIP celebration
FAQs
What are the benefits of entering the Awards?
It’s an investment in your reputation and profile. Tell everyone you know - and want to know - that you’re
confident enough to have yourself and your company judged alongside the very best of your peers.
The Awards are helping drive excellence in business across the North West, and being nominated shows that
you believe in doing the best possible job. It’s a great way to raise your company profile, reputation, and
personal brand.
Can I promote my nomination?
Yes, and we encourage you to do just that. Whether nominated, a finalist or a winner, an Awards success is a
hugely valuable marketing tool. It’s an endorsement of your business among your peers. Being able to say your
peers recognise the high standard of your work - that is as good as it gets. We’ll send you a guide to making the
most of your nomination - or just download it from the Awards website here.
Where can I get further help and advice?
If you have any other questions, you can email us at [email protected].
Terms & Conditions
•
To qualify for entry to the North West Finance Awards your business must be based in the North West,
within the county boundaries of Greater Manchester, Merseyside, Lancashire, Cheshire and Cumbria.
•
All nominations must be submitted on the official entry form obtained from the NWFA website, in
accordance with the instructions we have detailed.
•
Entries should be written within the stated word limit, otherwise your entry may be marked down.
You can however submit attachments which can include supporting information or evidence including
testimonials, charts or figures.
•
There is no restriction on the number of categories that can be entered. For multiple entries, each category
must be entered separately and contain only relevant information specific to that category. Entrants are
asked to consider only the categories most relevant to them as detailed in the Award criteria.
•
All entries will be acknowledged by return email. If you do not receive a timely at acknowledgement,
please contact us at [email protected].
•
The entry deadline is Friday 24th July 2015 and all applications should be submitted by midnight on
that date. An extension to this date will only be considered in exceptional circumstances, and with prior
agreement from the North West Finance Awards organisers.
•
The organisers and judges reserve the right to reallocate an entry if they believe it has more opportunity
for success in another Award category.
•
All successful nominations will be beneficiaries of associated publicity surrounding the NWFA activities.
We ask that, if requested, you would oblige with providing timely quotes, comments, photographs, logos
or other marketing materials to ensure your business is well presented.
•
Entrants should be available to attend the glamourous Dinner and Awards Evening on Thursday 1 October
2015 from 7.30pm – 12.30am at the Macron (formerly Reebok) Stadium in Bolton.
•
Finalists are required to attend the glamourous Dinner and Awards Evening on Thursday 1 October 2015
from 7.30pm – 12.30am at the Macron (formerly Reebok) Stadium in Bolton. If a finalist declines to attend,
their status will be, with regret, revoked.
•
Finalists are entitled to purchase tickets for the glamourous Dinner and Awards Evening before the general
public and at reduced prices - between 4 -24 August. Single tickets for finalists are £95.00. Tables for ten
are £899.00.
•
Full price tickets go on sale 25 August, at £110.00 individual places and £1050.00 for a table of ten. General
ticket sales are subject to availability.
•
The decision of the organisers and judges is final for all matters concerning the Awards.
”
Our judging panel is made up of some of the
brightest minds in finance, and reach their
decisions absolutely independently.
Turning your nomination into new business
Congratulations again on being nominated. They may not be as big as the Oscars yet, but the North West Finance
Awards have plenty of star potential for you and your business.
Being nominated tells everyone about the high regard for your professional approach and integrity. It’s an
endorsement that adds the reputation of the Awards to your good name. That’s an excellent suite of marketing
tools for generating new business.
Add the Awards nominee logo now to your email signature, your online presence, your letterhead and physical
branding. We’ve produced a series of digital images you can use. Remember, it’s only nominees and their
businesses that can use the Awards logo, so you’re setting yourself apart immediately. We’ll send you the logo
to use, in a compatible format.
If you progress through the judging stages, you can upgrade those badges to ‘Finalist’ and even ‘Winner’.
Be proactive. Send a message to everyone - especially clients and prospective clients. Show how you strive to
be the best. To help, there’s a draft message appended to this guide, you can cut and paste it to your email or
mailing, and adapt it to suit.
Update on your social media feeds - Facebook, Twitter and the rest. In addition to your own hashtags, you might
like to use this one to join in the conversation #NWFA15
LinkedIN - Update your professional status on LinkedIN and add a link to www.nwfinanceawards.co.uk
A press release - nomination is a great story for your business, and a great way to bring your business to the
attention of local media, and regional and national business editors. We’ve added a few lines of ‘boilerplate’
about the Awards, you can cut and paste them to your release. If you need help with a press release or PR, or just
some guidance on media in the North West, give us a call - we’re happy to help.
Team work. Let all your colleagues know you’ve in to win. The Awards are great for team building, and no need
for any muddy adventures! Get together, even for a celebratory cuppa.
Appendix
Nominee Logo Badge - “North West Finance Awards 2015 Nominee”. We’ll supply you a logo you can use, in a
compatible format.
Send a message to everyone - a draft message for email or letter
Dear <<name>>
We’re delighted to tell you we’ve been nominated to enter the North West Finance Awards, the annual celebration
of excellence in the finance and accounting professions in North West England. We’ve accepted the nomination,
and are entering in the category of <<category>>.
We’d also like to thank you as well. Working with stimulating clients like you helps us stay on top form, and
earned us our nomination. If you’d like to get behind our bid for an Award this year, show your support on social
media, with the hashtag #nwfa15 and follow our progress by visiting www.nwfinanceawards.co.uk
A press release - boilerplate / notes for editors for your press release:
The North West Finance Awards recognise excellence among the unsung heroes - the professionals in the back
office who make business run smoothly throughout the region. The Awards are supported by all the leading
professional associations.
There are categories for everyone across the finance and accounting disciplines, from every level of seniority.
These are the only awards where professionals are judged against their peers, across the whole of business and
industry in the North West of England.
The sixth annual Awards culminate with a glamourous dinner at the Macron Stadium in Bolton on Thursday 1
October in front of around 900 guests.
www.nwfinanceawards.co.uk
Make your first nomination now,
and Good Luck to everyone!
North West Finance Awards is proud to be endorsed,
supported and sponsored by these valued partners
Visit our website to learn more about how
our sponsors work for you and the Awards