Nicholas Cliffe
Born and educated in East Yorkshire and with an economics degree from Cambridge University, Nick trained as a chartered accountant in London, qualifying in 1986.
After a career progression to senior manager with BDO Binder Hamlyn, Nick established the practice in Melbourn in 1991 and after a brief merger with a firm in Saffron Walden, re-established the business as a limited company in Great Shelford in 2002. Nick specialises in tax planning and advice, corporate finance and business development but also has more than 20 years’ experience in general accountancy practice work. He also acts as a consultant field auditor to several prominent investment banks.
Away from work, Nick plays, coaches and umpires cricket and holds board positions with Cambs CB, Cambs County Cricket Club and the Cambs Coaches’ Association. A good footballer until age forced a retirement, he now follows from the touch-line the varying fortunes of Hull City AFC, his hometown club. Latterly, a large amount of time has been taken up with successfully supporting his two children through university and then refurbishing an old town-house in the Greek Islands with his wife, Amanda.
Three things you may not have known about Nicholas:
· He spent part of his gap year singing opera.
· He played cricket for Cambridge University.
· He is distantly related to Adam Duncan, Horatio Nelson’s chief of staff and hero of the Battle of Camperdown in 1797.
Alison Brown
Alison has been with Nicholas Cliffe & Co. since 2013 and is responsible for managing the payrolls for approximately 75 clients, ranging from sole director companies to a small chain of shops with around 50 employees. This also involves making sure that the clients comply with their Automatic Enrolment duties for workplace pensions.
As well as managing the payrolls Alison also helps with running the office and she also assists with some of the accounts work. If you telephone the office it’s usually Alison who will answer your call!
Alison was born in Cambridge and raised in the Royston area. She started her career in a small practice in North Hertfordshire, primarily as an administration assistant. During her time there she gained her AAT qualification and developed an interest in payroll, which led to her taking over the running of two large weekly payrolls for recruitment agencies in London using specialist software. The practice was brought out by a larger practice and Alison went to work there, taking her payrolls with her.
