Andrew Heelin retires after 48 years at Shorts

After almost 48 years, Andrew Heelin, Accounts Director at Shorts, has retired. Andrew’s career began on 24th June 1974, and he has seen accountancy profession transform many times over. But one thing has remained consistent throughout his entire career – and that is his place of work.

To celebrate a remarkable career and give Andrew a fitting sign-off – here we take a look at Andrew’s story, from carrier bags filled with hand-written records, to the global, digital accounting that we know today.

Early Career: No calculators or computers

In 1974, Shorts (known then as Saml. Edwd. Short & Co) employed a team of around 25. Today, that number exceeds 125.

Above: The Shorts team outside of Fairfield Road offices, December 1979

One of Andrew’s first jobs at the firm was a bank reconciliation for a hairdresser’s shop in Brimington. Once he’d ‘ticked up the bank’, he was introduced to the concept of double entry bookkeeping and provided with various client records and ledgers to work on.

A familiar sight: Andrew hard at work, Christmas 1979

Career development and embracing change

Below: Andrew as Accounts Director, 2018

Andrew was promoted to the position of Accounts Director in 2012 and has been responsible for managing the accounting process for Owner Managed Businesses. He became the first person to hold the position of Director at Shorts – there are now 8.

Andrew gained a reputation of being one of the first to arrive in the office each morning, and his personal best of 4.30am is something none of the team are looking to beat.

He puts his continued success and longevity down to an uncompromising commitment to doing his absolute upmost in helping his clients and colleagues.

In his own words:

“Being a successful accountant is all about looking beyond the numbers. You just need to understand the rudiments of people and their business and be able to extend your accounting knowledge into offering sound and genuine advice.”

He took on the role of Accounts Director in the same professional, initiative-taking, and dynamic manner he has approached his entire career.

Above: Andrew with Dawn Sharman and David Bowditch, Chesterfield FC, Christmas 2016

What’s more, he has embraced change and adapted every step of the way. Whilst having all the traditional accounting skills at his fingertips, he has also remained abreast of modern developments.

Entering a new digital world of accounting

When we asked Andrew if he had seen many changes over the years, his response was emphatic:

“The profession has transformed over the past 50 years. The principles of accounting are the same whether you’re sat in front of an abacus or a computer. However, what has changed dramatically is the technology we use.

Above: Andrew repping the Shorts brand at Celebrate Chesterfield, 2020

“The digital age has given the accounting industry new avenues to explore, created new products and services, and enabled its professionals to gain new skills and take on new responsibilities. 

“What’s more, the advent of cloud-based accounting has allowed advisers to be mobile and reactive to the needs of their client – importantly, it has also put us in touch with clients that are not around the corner, but across the globe.”

Evolving accountancy skill sets

Above: Andrew and Paul Beeson working with client John Short, JAB SHORT Ltd, 2015

“You need an entirely different set of skills to become an accountant in today’s world compared to those you would have needed a few decades back. Modern accounting jobs involve more financial analysis and managerial operations. Today, accountants are increasingly involved in direct interaction with clients, decision making and strategy creation.

“Not only is the modern accountant accurate, thorough, and meticulous, but they have also become integrated business advisors who are equipped to help businesses grow. They can advise on everything from profit growth to saving money.”

How has Shorts changed over 48 years?

Above: Andrew celebrates 45 years at Shorts, Chesterfield - June 2019

When talking about Shorts, his place of work for nearly 48 years, Andrew says:

“Despite having roots dating back to 1890, Shorts has long embraced the modern era and the Shorts of today is a modern and vibrant firm. The offices are purpose built, both in Chesterfield and in Sheffield and there are now over 125 team members.

“Virtually everything is digital now, so offices full of ledgers, cash books, pending trays and filing cabinets are now a distant memory. All information is available without needing to leave the desk.

“I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my time at Shorts. I don’t know where the last 48 years have gone. It’s been a pleasure to witness the firm’s growth over my time and I take with me great memories of working with some lovely people. I will watch Shorts’ continued development with interest – even if it is from afar.”

Andrew’s thoughts on retirement

“But time moves on and circumstances change, and I (maybe reluctantly) think that now is the right time. My wife Catherine, and I are looking forward to spending more time on hobbies, with our family and out in the fresh air.

“Part of me thinks that I will still wake up early and think to myself, ‘I could get up now and get an early start in the office before everyone arrives’ before remembering that I no longer need to.”

What Andrew’s clients say about him

Andrew will be missed by his colleagues!

Here are some messages from Andrew’s colleagues at Shorts – some of many years!

Above: Andrew (middle row, 4th from right) and the Shorts team, Outside Fairfield Road premises, 1990