Case Study: Melius Innovations

“As a first-time employer, I didn’t know what I didn’t know. TC Farnell Clarke set everything up – payroll, HR and the numbers – and were always there to take my calls so I never felt like I was doing this on my own. That support let me focus on winning utility contracts and building the team.”

Dan Richards, CEO, Melius Innovations

 

STARTING UP THE START-UP, MELIUS INNOVATIONS

 

When helping such a new business, it’s hard to know where to start and what support’s needed. For Melius Innovations, they had the right team by their side here at TC Group to get them off the ground and providing services they didn’t think they’d need.

Our Norwich (TC Farnell Clake) office stepped in to help this UK arboriculture contractor who specialise in providing services to the Utilities industry with a variety of services. With over 15 business advisory, accountancy and financial planning services we offer across TC Group, TC Farnell Clarke have helped Melius Innovations with the following services so far: Bookkeeping & Accounting, Tax, Payroll, HR Advisory, Systems setup, and Financial Controller Support.

 

WHAT CHALLENGES WERE THERE TO GET SET UP?

After successfully selling a previous business, Dan (CEO of Melius Innovations) launched a brand-new venture in a completely different industry, the arboriculture services within the highly regulated utilities sector.

Like many founders at this stage, Dan was initially supported by an accountant who helped them get started. However, as the business began to gain momentum, it became clear that basic compliance wasn’t enough. The utilities sector demands tight compliance, accurate records, reliable payroll for field teams, and clear reporting. At the same time, the business was founder-led, with one person juggling operations, finance, people, and growth.

Midway through the financial year, Dan needed a partner who could step in quickly, bring order to the data, and provide real insight and reassurance – not just reports after the fact.

 

“After the sale of a previous business, I ventured into a new industry with a vision and bag load of energy 🙂 The first accountants we used did help us get a footing as the business began from scratch, however it soon became clear that more support and processes (therefore data) we could really rely on, were needed.”

 

SO, HOW EXACTLY DID WE HELP?

• TC Live – real-time bookkeeping and trusted data

We took over partway through the financial year and immediately focused on getting the data into shape and implementing TC Live, giving the client up-to-date financial information they could rely on.

This meant no surprises, no guesswork, and no waiting months to understand performance.

 

“This is where TC Group (TC Farnell Clarke) came in – picking up the business halfway through a financial year and with the support of Emily in particular, they have wrestled the data into great shape. The real-time bookkeeping means you’ve always got up-to-date figures, it quickly shows if something is off and so it’s dealt with in the moment and not a lurking future problem.”

 

• Advisory support that scales with the business

As the business grew quickly, we provided financial controller support alongside bookkeeping – ensuring the systems, processes, and reporting could scale with ambition. Our role wasn’t just to produce numbers. It was to interpret them, challenge thinking, and support confident decision-making.

 

“Melius is a fast-growing business with a big vision, so the financial controller support, alongside the bookkeeping, has been invaluable. Beginning with data you can trust and processes that can scale means when the advice is given (and it’s good advice!), you can focus solely on its merits and the right action to take.”

 

• Payroll and HR – peace of mind for a growing team

With an expanding workforce operating in the field, reliable payroll and clear HR support were critical. We implemented a compliant, streamlined payroll process and provided hands-on HR advisory support. This removed pressure from the founder and ensured people processes kept pace with growth.

 

“For Melius, I think it is the combination of services that has brought the greatest value: real-time bookkeeping, astute financial controller support, and not least the HR services. Knowing Paula is there, always ready to help, and as we recruit more and more people, providing the necessary support, contracts and guidance has been a huge relief.”

 

• A true one-team approach

With TC Live and shared systems, every department could support the client seamlessly, even at short notice.

 

“The whole team are brilliant – including when I called recently needing a piece of information urgently on a Friday afternoon. The people I needed were out, but others in the firm were still able to jump on the system and help there and then – thank you.”

 

WHAT IMPACT HAS THE TEAM HAD ON MELIUS TO DATE?

• Accurate, real-time financial data the client trusts
• Consistent, compliant payroll and HR processes
• Reduced admin and mental load for the founder
• Confidence to make decisions based on clear, jargon-free advice
• A scalable finance and people infrastructure ready for growth

 

AND MOST IMPORTANTLY… WHY DO THEY LOVE WORKING WITH US?

• We’re an integrated advisory model for finance and people
• We’re able to provide real-time data through TC Live – no surprises!
• We provide proactive and joined-up support across all departments
• We provide clear, fixed fees with no hidden extras
• We’re a dedicated team of advisors who understand the pressures of a solo founder

 

“There’s a lot to consider when starting/scaling a business and knowing the accounts, tax, financial processes, and HR support are all singing is a great encouragement. This journey would be a great deal harder without the good folk at TC Farnell Clarke.”

 

 

Are you ready to move away from traditional bookkeeping to unlock better insights and receive more proactive decisions?

We’ve launched TC Live Accounting, built for SME businesses. It’s real-time accounting that gives you a clear view of your financial position, without waiting for month-end.

If moving your business forward is on your New Year’s resolutions list, TC Live Accounting could be a great place to start. Visit the page here to learn more.