Who We Are

Our Purpose, Vision and Values

Everything we do is framed by our four values:-

Influence
Integrity
Diligence
Learning

….and delivered through our working-style Methodology of perpetual cycles of Action>Traction>Progress>Action>Traction>Progress, a belief system in taking massive ownership of every assignment, combined with a tenacious drive towards the next milestone in achieving your Vision of Success.

We believe there is a better way, a more successful and enjoyable way to run your business. Our Purpose is to help you find that better way and achieve your personal vision of success.

Our Vision is a future where every business owner is less stressed, has more time, makes more money, has more fun and is personally fulfilled.

How We Can Help You

The challenges business owners face is very often daunting and overwhelming, the feeling of being out of control, and the exhaustion that comes with stalled growth and insufficient profits.

We believe passionately that there is a better way.

With over 25 years of experience, our proven approach help business leaders like you take action, work on the key areas of your business to gain traction, to help you see progress with your business.

Giving Something Back

As Accountants in Leeds, we are passionate about making a positive impact in our community. This year, we are proud to announce that our chosen charity to support is the NSPCC, a leading organisation dedicated to protecting children from cruelty.

We deeply admire the NSPCC’s mission to help reduce and eventually stamp out cruelty to children in all its forms. We believe every child deserves a safe and happy childhood, and we’re committed to contributing to this worthy cause.

Throughout the year, we hold our Ascentis Business Club for clients to help planning for business growth every quarter in Leeds. All of the proceeds from these seminars is directly donated to the NSPCC. We are thrilled to share that so far this year, we have raised over £450 for this incredible cause.

Are We Right For Each Other

We believe a business owner and their accountants should be a perfect match. We are only right for a certain type of business. Let’s see if that’s you.

You will have been established for at least three years.
Your turnover is £500,000 per annum or more.
You are happy to pay for the great advice and invest a minimum of £250pcm in the relationship.
You are prepared to travel to our office for certain meetings.
Your finance software is already Xero, or you are open to moving it.
You feel our values of Diligence, Integrity, Influence and Learning align with yours.
You want to establish a clear Vision of Success for you and your business, and will act upon advice designed to achieve that Success.

If your answer is “YES” to all of the above, let’s schedule a Discovery Call to explore how our dedicated team of Leeds Accountants can help you achieve your ambitions.

Arrange a Discovery Call

Meet the Team

David Clayton Senior Manager

DiSC profile S

As a Senior Manager at Ascentis Accountants, David plays a crucial role in ensuring the timely delivery of our services. With his FCCA qualification and meticulous attention to detail, David handles the heavy lifting involved in preparing and finalising client accounts.

His key responsibilities include project management, quality control, and meeting strict deadlines to provide clients with accurate financial information.

True to his S Style DiSC profile, Dave is Mr Social and first to the bar at every Team event! A keen music fan, his current favourite band is Volbeat, a Danish rock band, but he is also a fan of Bruce Springsteen, Led Zeppelin, The Beatles for many years, Alter Bridge, James, Kyuss and Green Day too.

Meet the Team

John Oddy Consultant

DiSC profile I/D

Created, developed and sold several businesses, mainly at a profit, but with the scars on his back from those at a loss. John founded Ascentis in 2001, with a vision to create a world in which business owners have more time, are less stressed, enjoy greater rewards and have fulfilled their personal vision of success. John is the person to ask about business advice, selling/buying a business, finance, and cloud accounting.

He is a great advocate of reading to empower yourself. Some of his top picks for business leaders include: 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey, Start with Why by Simon Sinek, Leaders Eat Last also by Simon Sinek and Black Box Thinking by Matthew Syed. In his spare time John is an expert wine connoisseur, incredible chef and Joe Strummer in a Clash tribute band!

Meet the Team

Lee Kaznowski Managing Partner

DiSC profile C/D

As our Managing Partner, Lee Kaznowski embodies a commitment to excellence and client satisfaction. With his FCA qualification and expertise in financial reporting, Lee ensures that our clients receive accurate and timely information to drive informed decision-making. Lee oversees the quality of our services, manages client relationships, and ensures the delivery of our promises, all while embodying our key values of Influence, Integrity, Diligence, Learning.

With over 24 years of experience delivering financial excellence, Lee helps businesses improve their financial processes so that business leaders can make better decisions to grow. On the weekends, you can find Lee either running at park run (an avid parkrun tourist takes him around the country) or volunteering at the junior parkrun events.

Meet the Team

Mark Overend Tax Partner

DiSC profile S

Mark brings extensive experience in tax planning and strategy, particularly in the realm of personal and company tax interactions for business owners. He is CTA qualified and a Property Investment Tax specialist. Leading many complicated tax restructures, Mark always finds an angle to help businesses with their tax issues.

As head of the tax department, Mark helps deliver tax advisory and compliance services that contribute to our clients achieving their own personal vision of success.

Not only is Mark an enthusiastic runner, but he's also a keen supporter of Bradford City FC. Recently, however, his passion for cricket has taken a back seat. Opting to swap his pads for a recliner, Mark has retired from the field to become a dedicated spectator of every sport imaginable!

Meet the Team

Anne Anderson Tax Manager

Tax Manager
DiSC Profile C

After training as a tax inspector for the Inland Revenue, Anne is adept at providing strategic tax advice and ensuring compliance with tax regulations. She worked for local accountants of varying sizes including firms in the top 20 and has had a long career working in accountancy gaining a rich amount of experience and knowledge as a result.

As our Tax Manager, Anne helps clients navigate the complexities of the tax landscape while maximising opportunities for tax optimisation.

It's not all tax in Anne's world though, in her spare time she can be found adorned in wellies either with her horses, her dogs or in her garden.

Meet the Team

Laura Gibson Accounts Manager

DiSC profile C

Laura is FCA qualified and has completed her accountancy training at a big 4 firms. She has 18 years plus experience in a variety of roles across the private, public and charity sectors. As such, Laura understands our clients' need for accurate and reliable information along with proficient processes and services.

Laura is part of the Financial Mastery team which helps clients gain more insight into their financial processes to make better financial decisions.

Outside of work, Laura is a keen music fan, avid Swiftie and you can find her attending concerts with her teenage daughter. She dreams of one day retiring to the North Norfolk coast in the future.

Meet the Team

Maria Ballester Virtual Finance Controller

Virtual Finance Controller
DiSC Profile CS

Originally from Spain, Maria has over 20 years of experience in accounting and account management for a variety of industries including transport, construction and wide distribution. As our Virtual Finance Controller, Maria plays a pivotal role in providing real-time insights and strategic guidance to optimise financial performance and reporting.

Her C style profile really comes into play with her hunger for completing accurate records.

As a mother to twins, nothing will fluster Maria and in her limited spare time she enjoys crime thriller films and exploring her amateur photography on long mountain walks.

Meet the Team

Luiza Polec Senior Accountant

Luiza is an FCCA-qualified Senior Accountant with over 16 years of extensive experience in both practice and industry. She has spent 11 years supporting small businesses and individuals in practice, followed by 5 years as a Financial Controller in a fast-growing global business. Now, as a Senior Manager within the Financial Mastery team at Ascentis, Luiza plays a pivotal role in the Accounts Production team, delivering accurate financial insights and helping clients make informed decisions.

Originally from Poland, Luiza moved to the UK 17 years ago and now balances her professional life with raising her two boys, aged 12 and 6. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, hiking scenic trails, jigsaw puzzles, dancing and most importantly zumba!

Meet the Team

Lets achieve your personal vision of success!

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