About Ascent
Experienced financial thinking. Personal business support.
Ascent Business Advisory Ltd was created around a simple belief: ambitious SMEs deserve dependable accounting and proactive financial advice that helps them make better decisions. We aim to offer the expertise and commercial perspective of senior finance leadership with the accessibility of a boutique practice.
Our story
Why Ascent exists.
Many business owners are busy running operations, serving customers and managing people. They need financial information they can rely on, but they also need someone to interpret the numbers, challenge assumptions and help turn opportunities into action.
Ascent brings compliance, insight and strategy together in one connected relationship.
Leadership and experience
Grounded in practical finance leadership.
Ascent is led by founder Amith Premkumar, a finance professional with more than 18 years' experience, including hands-on senior finance leadership in a commercially demanding operating business. Experience spans end-to-end financial management, cashflow and budgets, board reporting, operational cost improvement, financial controls, funding and stakeholder relationships.
This practical perspective shapes how we advise growing SMEs.
Founder & Managing Director
Meet the Founder — Amith Premkumar
Amith Premkumar is the Founder and Managing Director of Ascent Business Advisory Ltd, bringing over 18 years of experience in finance, financial management and business operations across a diverse range of organisations and international markets.
With a bachelor's and master's degree in finance from Oxford, and a career spanning roles across three continents, Amith has developed extensive experience in financial leadership, commercial decision-making, financial controls and business improvement.
His career includes almost two decades of experience within banking (HSBC), high-growth SMEs and senior financial leadership in the UK energy sector, where he has held responsibility for financial management, budgeting, forecasting, cashflow planning, treasury, management reporting, audit coordination, risk management and strategic financial decision-making.
As a Head of Finance, Amith has worked closely with senior management, directors, investors, auditors, lenders and external stakeholders. His experience extends beyond traditional accounting into identifying commercial opportunities, improving financial performance, delivering operational efficiencies, strengthening financial controls and supporting long-term business strategy.
Throughout his career, he has successfully identified and implemented significant cost-saving initiatives, negotiated commercial arrangements, supported funding decisions and helped businesses navigate complex operational and financial challenges.
Amith founded Ascent Business Advisory Ltd with a clear vision: to make experienced financial leadership and proactive business advice accessible to ambitious small and medium-sized businesses.
He believes business owners deserve more than annual accounts and compliance services. They deserve a financial partner who understands their business, proactively identifies opportunities, challenges assumptions, supports important decisions and helps them achieve sustainable growth.
Through Ascent, Amith combines senior-level financial expertise with modern technology, practical commercial insight and a personalised approach to client relationships.
"More than accounting. A partner in your ascent."
Strategic Partner
Meet Our Strategic Partner — David Woods
David Woods — A Trusted Financial Partner for Business Success
For more than two decades, David Woods has stood at the intersection of finance and entrepreneurship, guiding businesses through complex financial landscapes and helping them not just survive, but flourish.
As a seasoned accountant and finance director, David has dedicated his career to working with clients, not just for them, crafting tailored financial strategies that support growth, sustainability and long-term success.
David's approach is grounded in partnership. He brings more to the table than balance sheets and profit and loss statements.
With a deep understanding of the entrepreneurial mindset, honed through years of running his own businesses, David has a unique ability to align financial strategies with business vision.
He sees beyond the numbers, providing commercial insight and strategic guidance that empowers business owners to make informed decisions with confidence.
Our principles
How we choose to work.
Accuracy before speed.
Appropriate review, checks and evidence.
Advice before jargon.
Straightforward commercial explanation.
Actions before paperwork.
Translate insight into next steps.
Partnership before transactions.
Understand the people and ambitions behind the business.
Progress before promises.
Track measured improvements, rather than claim guaranteed outcomes.
Client promise
The Ascent Partnership Promise™
- 1We get to know your business and priorities.
- 2We look ahead, not only at historical results.
- 3We apply proportionate checks and professional judgement.
- 4We turn advice into agreed actions and targets.
- 5We review and communicate progress over time.
Ascent is a member of the Institute of Accountants and Bookkeepers (IAB). Ascent Business Advisory Ltd is supervised for anti-money laundering compliance by the Institute of Accountants and Bookkeepers (IAB).
Your next step
Let's discuss your business.
Start with a conversation about your goals, your current challenges and where better financial insight could make a difference.