In 1996 Mark diversified into buying distressed companies and turning them around to create fast and steady profits. This is what differentiates him from most accountants, as the experience he gained instilled a valuable understanding of risk, strategy and the emotional demands of success and failure. He is sensitive to the problems his clients may face, as he's been in that boat - sinking business, not another reference to his sunny days in flowery shorts! He knows first-hand the pitfalls that make a business succeed or fail miserably.

Ensuring success for his clients is a key factor underpinning the firm's ideology. "Our main strength is our ability to continue changing and improving to meet our clients' needs. My job involves anything and everything!! I specialise in assisting business owners to achieve their goals." As Hux Huxley once said, "I ain't dying for no three cream crackers and a dog biscuit!!" (Oh yes, and he thinks he's amusing… a perception not always shared by the rest of the team!)

Mark enjoys spending time with clients - some of whom have been with him right from the start, and one of his greatest strengths is his empathy with them. They can confirm that he remains true to his values of honesty and transparency regardless of the situation, and he will extol the virtues of any service he believes represents genuine value to his clients. As a member of the Association of Strategic Business Planners, Mark is proud of what the company has achieved to date, but recognises that there is still a long journey ahead… His number one goal: "To ensure perfection – we are constantly working towards that!"

In his spare time Mark attempts a lot of things which he's never properly mastered: he plays golf (and last played well in 2001), speaks French (fluently after drinking alcohol), and plays the guitar extremely poorly. ("A guitar teacher once told me I had no rhythm, I still don't know what he meant!!") We can only feel sorry for his wife and two young children...

"Professionalism and proactivity make Nordens the best accountancy and strategic planning practice in London," says the man in charge of predicting the football scores. "We respond to clients' queries in a friendly, approachable and timely manner." Tham is proud of his professional achievements, and happy to be an integral member of a company that's given him the opportunity to reach his own potential.

Everyone likes Tham, even the people who call him Sam, and his easy going manner makes him popular with colleagues and clients alike. In his spare time you might catch him relaxing with his family and watching Eastenders or his favourite movie, The Shawshank Redemption, whiling away the hours following his dream of a happy and healthy life.

When he's not dealing with accounts, personal tax returns, company marketing or liaising with clients, Mitch can be found, coffee in hand, winding up Natalie, terrorising Joe about West Ham and sneakily eating Lisa's leftover lunch! And when he manages to avoid listening to Mark go on about how he gets all the football predictions right and actually get on with some work, Mitch is the guy who deals with clients' fees and charges.

Happy to extol his employer's virtues – Krispy Kremes all round – Mitch cites the company's approachability as its main strength: "We're very good listeners and we will always find a way to take problems or negatives and make ten times as many positives. With different people in the office specialising in different areas, whatever your business needs we will always be able to cater in the most efficient way!"

Mitch shares the first floor office with Mark. He says, "That's what a leader's about, sacrifice. The times he's gotta sacrifice because he's gotta lead, by example. Not by fear and not by self-pity." (Actually, that's not Mitch talking about Mark, it was Tony DeMato in 'Any Given Sunday!!')

After work Mitch keeps busy shopping ("when I have the money"), working out at the gym, playing footie for Bishop Stortford and supporting Tottenham. And if you think that's not sporty enough, he lays claim to being a former Silver medallist at the 2009 Maccabiah Games - knocking out USA U21's and Israel U21's in front of a crowd of 80,000 people!! Mitch can also be found hitting the clubs late at night – apparently he's quite a good singer – but he usually manages to make it into work on time. Later this year you might spot him bungee jumping naked for Beyonce in between househunting (or mousehunting?) with his cat Cookie. But never on a Friday – no one misses Pizza Friday at Nordens!!

Joe is CAT Qualified and currently studying for his ACA exams. He considers himself lucky to have landed a job with a young, vibrant company that values its staff and promotes from within - a far cry from the night shifts he used to work at Tescos! He started working on PAYE and VAT and has progressed through accounts preparation to his current role as Client Manager: "I manage my database of clients to ensure we prepare their company accounts in a timely and efficient manner." But he still finds the time to organise the Nordens football dream team, along with a couple of his colleagues. He plays too, for a local team. Luckily for Nordens, he's not yet quite the standard required to play for West Ham ("Come On You Irons!!!") But, multi-talented, he did once win an egg and spoon race...

Joe thinks the company's success lies within the staff, a good mixture of people, each with their own strengths. One of his is playing poker, and while he's making sure the company hits the monthly filing deadlines, he's dreaming of playing the World Series in Las Vegas. It's clear that Joe enjoys supporting his team-mates: "They all trip over my feet when I stretch them out under the desk."

Outside of work, Gangster movie buff Joe shares his home with girlfriend Sarah and Cartman the fish – yes, he's a South Park fan. He enjoys downing pints of beer – what happens after is interesting .......sometimes. But not when he's at work of course! Then he is professional, approachable and always on hand to deal with his clients' queries. Unless it's Pizza Friday!

Having previously worked for a similar sized practice, Panayiota is well placed to recognise the company's strength of being pro-active. She's also proactive in her personal life, going to the gym (sometimes) and salsa dancing – although she claims to be rubbish "as I've been kept with the beginners who can't move two steps without tripping over themselves!" So she's now decided to start belly dancing instead.

Panayiota prefers snuggling up with her cat Foxy Cleopatra and watching Dirty Dancing (again!) to supporting a football match. So the office fantasy football league isn't quite her thing. Still, she loves the great atmosphere at work, especially when they down tools to chat about her favourite reality TV show: My big fat Gypsy wedding!

Darren loves being here in this very friendly and well-structured practice, but when he's not working or studying, you can find him at home with his family and cat Cookie, watching films, football and winning on his PlayStation - or out on the town clubbing and claiming his free Nandos!

Lisa describes the company as approachable and friendly, and thrives in this busy environment. "There's something different every day, I love the variety and like the people." She is the first line of contact for clients who phone in, but her job encompasses much more than general administration. Having worked here for a year, her role has evolved to dealing with Company Secretarial matters, checking internal systems, making sure client details are correct, chasing outstanding accounts and sometimes arranging for Krispy Kremes all round. Lisa views teamwork as the company's main strength: "Hard workers with a good attitude!"

Lisa loves spending time with friends, and her family – husband Leon and teenage children Mitch and Nicole – who claim she could win an award for nagging!! And naturally, she also finds time for shopping and a quick peek at Facebook every now and then. She'd love to be more musical; perhaps Mark could bring his guitar into the office and give her lessons...

Walking her camera-shy shih- tzu Louie, munching on a jaffa cake and humming songs from Joseph, Lisa dreams of a stress free life. By delivering clients a first class service, she certainly contributes to making their lives stress-free.

Lesley has a very varied work background, most recently as a self-employed bookkeeper and training manager for a leisure company. Additionally, she has worked as burger chef, courier and in a gentleman's club (!) during her travels around the world. All of these give her an all-round understanding of the diverse types of clients Nordens represents, and enables her to appreciate why Nordens so highly values "it's close working relationships with clients, and its good financial knowledge and understanding of their businesses."

On her days off, Lesley loves dancing and socialising with friends. You also may have spotted her having a sneaky latte at Costa Coffee between picks ups and drops off at children's clubs – she's the one in the corner reading vampire books! Or you might recognise her from a day's makeover for a leading magazine's fashion shoot – this ex-county netball star has a wide portfolio of skills.

And where does Nordens' bookkeeper stand on the football situation? She's an Arsenal supporter who couldn't believe how much everyone in the office obsessed over their results in the fantasy football league, and how chuffed they were at winning! All that excitement will stand her in good stead when she achieves her two future goals - to go on an African safari and become a tax inspector!!

But despite living such a busy life with husband Dave and children Alex and Olivia, Lesley loves her job with this "innovative, strategic and customer focused firm." She confirms that "the vision, forward thinking approach, leadership and the people that help build the business" make Nordens a step above the rest.

The marketing role suits Gayle perfectly – she previously worked for the BBC and a radio production company ("media darling!"). When she's not in the office she's usually meeting friends for coffee....on her way to the gym!! (Wonder if that's to work off the chocolate éclair that comes with the coffee??!)

Gayle lives with Mark and their two lovely children, Jack and Amélie. She names travelling as her greatest achievement: working on a kibbutz and in Camp America, and travelling around Brazil and South Africa. But now this Charlton Athletic fan is happiest curled up at home watching Brothers and Sisters (even without Rob Lowe – who she dreams will turn up in Coronation Street as Jack and Vera's lost son!!).

So would she quit Nordens and run off into the sunset with Mr Lowe…? Maybe! Well, no one puts Gayle in the corner!!

As Andy's so new to Nordens he currently spends his day preparing accounts, and says, 'there is strong collaboration within the practice so that everyone works closely as part of a small, but efficient team to deliver common results and targets.' But no doubt he'll soon be busy running the lotto syndicate or organising social events – if he can find time, after playing chess, ice skating, learning to play the keyboard (perhaps we'll be seeing a duet with Mark and his guitar...?) and salsa dancing. He thinks he's no good at the dancing and we have to agree – after all, who's gonna argue with a black belt in Aikido!! The spurs fan also enjoys any films with action, romance and gore – or with him in it – he used to be a film and TV extra!

Andy hopes for a successful and fulfilling career in accountancy, so is well placed for that at Nordens. He is happy to be part of a 'young, vibrant practice with clear goals and objectives in terms of the type of service delivered to clients… It offers the right balance of youth and experience mixed with professional values.'

A natural multitasker, Sharon can liaise with clients on the phone whilst engaging in general chit-chat and keeping track of the ever-important football results that obsess her colleagues (while knowing absolutely nothing at all about football) – this is essential when you work at Nordens!!

Outside of work Sharon is busy raising Aaron and Nathan, her gorgeous twin boys and greatest achievement! She's a great cook who enjoys playing with her cat, Miss Molly, walking her springer spaniel Sam and reading (but not all at the same time). A little bit sporty - you might occasionally spot her cycling around the area (she keeps saying she should get out on her bike more…). Sharon won a tap dancing award as a child, so if you see someone dancing on the desk you'll know who it is!

Hardworking and committed, Sharon rarely has time to daydream at her desk; but when she does, it's likely to be about travelling to see as much of the world as she can, ideally with Dr Greene from ER. (But we won't mention that to her husband David...) Although her real hopes are for her boys to do well in their lives and grow up happy. You never know, maybe they'll join the team at Nordens in a few years...!

While she's busy carrying out bookkeeping duties and completing clients' VAT returns, she's dreaming of the day she becomes a millionaire!! And maybe she will – after all, she's been dancing since she was five and loves going to her street dancing school! Also, her favourite TV show is Britain's got Talent, so watch this space...

Kirsty lives with her parents and three siblings, a dog and a part-time horse (long story!!) When she's not bookkeeping or dancing she loves to go shopping, watch the soaps, eat chicken at Nandos and spend time with her family and friends. And as if that doesn't keep her busy enough, she goes to watch West Ham as much as she can (although she doesn't follow the results very well). Wonder how she's getting on in the Nordens fantasy football league...?!

When asked why she likes working at Nordens Kirsty's answer was firm and clear: "It's enjoyable and everyone here is so pleasant!" Alternative answer: "P.A.R.T.Y? Because I gotta!!

Although the whole team describes Nordens as a friendly and welcoming place to work, Sam has accurately identified a laid back atmosphere, "but not so much that there are any signs of inefficiency!" And clearly he thinks Nordens is the best accountancy and strategic planning practice in London: Well... "It's so good that it doesn't even need a reason!"

Outside of work, Sam plays football for local team Redbridge Utd, as well as enjoying golf, tennis and table tennis – in which he's an ex-pro and won a Jack Petchey award when he was 16. So, what with spending much of his evenings and weekends socialising with friends, you would think his diary is pretty full – however, you can find fitness freak Sam in the gym six times a week!! (Strangely, he's never eaten sweets....)

Sam lives with his dad, brother, and little Bijon Frise, Buster. He dreams of qualifying as a chartered accountant at a relatively young age – being rich, healthy, successful and - hopefully - married to a supermodel! While he's working on that plan he might travel the world... but not during work time of course!

When she's not enjoying a very long tea break and chatting about the latest episodes of made in Chelsea and TOWIE (don't tell Mark!), Laura can be found filing, photocopying, and doing everything she can to make the office run smoothly.

Thrilled to land her first job in a friendly, young but very professional environment with a "strong team community," Laura is quick to point out that Nordens "pushes itself further to please the clients." She was welcomed into the team straight from completing her A Levels at Sixth Form College and, although this is her first experience in employment, she says it's clear that they are all "devoted to the needs of the clients."

In the evenings Laura likes to go clubbing, chill with her friends and eat fast food. (Does she know about pizza Fridays yet?!) She also works out and has won an award for cross-country. She loves Lee Nelson's Well Good Show and, apparently, also plays bingo. A West Ham supporter who loves to watch Barcelona vs. Arsenal matches, she will no doubt soon be initiated into the Nordens' footie obsession.

Laura lives with her mum, a dog, two brothers and four cats. She dreams of sky diving, and plans to complete a list of "50 things to do before you die..." Philosophically she quotes from The Business: "Better to be somebody for a day than nobody for a lifetime!"