Adfin | Monika: why instant payment alerts changed the game for Oppic

Practice Spotlight: Oppic

In this week’s spotlight, we spoke with Monika, the founder of Oppic, a boutique practice specialising in managed service providers and e-commerce jewellers. From navigating solo entrepreneurship to embracing automation and tech, here’s Monika’s story - one cup of tea at a time.

How did you get into accounting?

So, Oppic started in 2011. It was initially founded by me and two business partners, but within a month of each other, they both decided to leave - life just took them in a different direction! That left me at a crossroads - do I continue on my own? It was scary, having had that support before. But then a great business opportunity came along with an interesting client and some exciting software changes. So, I took the plunge and never looked back.

What was one of the biggest challenges of being the sole business owner?

I’m lucky now to have a small team, but in the beginning, I had to wear so many hats. Time was a huge constraint - there are only so many hours in a day, and when you’re alone, it feels overwhelming. Also, from a client perspective, having a team makes a big difference. There’s always someone available to acknowledge concerns, answer questions, and reassure clients, which keeps them happier than if it were just me.

Do you serve particular industries or specialise in anything?

We specialise in two very specific areas. One is managed service providers - outsourced IT support and service desks. It aligns with my background, and we connect well with these businesses because they’re tech-savvy and want their systems to integrate seamlessly. That’s where we add value beyond compliance.

The second niche is e-commerce, with a particular focus on jewellers. I have a background in the industry and built trusted relationships with founders who were looking for more tailored financial support. These are hands-on, owner-led businesses, and that allows us to work closely with them, adapting our approach to fit how they actually operate. We also support a handful of artists and creatives, but our core here is e-commerce jewellers.

Do you have a dream client?

I wouldn’t say I dream about messes, but we thrive when there’s a challenge- like when a business has multiple disconnected systems and no clear visibility into their data. We love stepping in, setting up reporting that works almost on autopilot and getting clients to a place where they can self-serve. Seeing them finally say, "Wow, this was so worth it!" - that’s the most satisfying part.

How do you differentiate yourself from other accountancy firms?‍

We love technology, not for the sake of change, but to stay ahead and give the best advice. We’re fully digital - the only paper we get is letters from HMRC and we can’t avoid those! We also operate fully remotely. While I do meet clients for coffee or in-person meetings, our core philosophy is that technology allows us to support them effectively from anywhere.

Are there any tech trends you're most excited about?

AI, for sure. Some people are scared of it, thinking it’ll replace jobs, but I see it as the next big revolution. Like with automation in factories, AI will change things in ways we don’t even foresee yet. It’s exciting to watch it evolve.

Before using Adfin, what were your biggest challenges with getting paid?

We’ve been lucky that our clients are great and usually pay on time, but I always wanted to automate payments. The problem was that existing solutions felt overwhelming - complicated interfaces that I didn’t have time to implement.

Then I heard about Adfin through our practice management platform, Engager. The integration announcement caught my attention, and when I looked at Adfin, it was refreshing. It was neat, simple, and easy to navigate - exactly what we needed!

Some of our clients use other payment solutions, and they’re so confusing. You try to answer a basic question like “Is this client on direct debit?” and you can’t tell. Simplicity is a huge advantage in a world that’s already complicated enough.

Is there any particular feature you find the most valuable?

It might seem basic, but the instant notifications are a game changer. A client cancelled a direct debit mandate the other day, and I was notified immediately. That level of transparency is really valuable.

And the real-time data - it's so quick. If I send an invoice, it's instantly in Adfin. There’s no delay. It’s simple and easy to use.

Are you a tea or coffee drinker?

Definitely tea. Lots of tea.

What kind?

I love plain black tea but switch it up later in the day - green tea in the afternoon, then decaf or herbal in the evening. It adds up to eight or ten cups a day. (wow!)

If you could automate anything in your life, what would it be?

Hanging up laundry. We have washing machines, which are great, but hanging clothes up is such a tedious task. If robots could handle that, it would be my first automation request.

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Accounting chaos got you stressed? Monika’s team lives for untangling messes. Reach them at info@oppic.uk.

Save more time for tea time like Monika. Book a demo or sign up today.

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