James Smithyman

Audit Semi-Senior

Experience

I’m just getting started in my accountancy career having recently joined the business, I have a 2.1 in Business and Finance from university and have previous experience in finance, marketing and sales.

Hobbies and interests

I am massively into football and support Coventry City, I am also into boxing as well and took part in a boxing event in 2022 raising over £400 for MIND charity.

You might also know

View the team

Lucy Hatton

Partner, Audit and International

Harrison Stern

Audit Senior Manager

Emily Ball-Goldfinch

Audit Senior Manager

Emma Leech

Audit Manager

Adrian Buckley

Audit Assistant Manager

Daniel Walsh-Smith

Audit Assistant Manager

Luke Horne

Audit Senior

Samuel Briscoe

Audit Senior

Sunny Sandhu

Audit Senior

Arun Lakhanpal

Audit Semi-Senior

Suzi Kaur

Audit Semi-Senior

Samuel Allison

Audit Assistant

Mia Fletcher

Audit Assistant

Sign up to benefit from our expert written content

Podcast Episode 10 – Reflecting on our first 10

Podcast Episode 10 – Reflecting on our first 10 years in AGN International. From Brexit to AI, cowboy boots to sushi – what a journey it’s been!

As we mark 10 years of Dafferns’ membership with AGN International, Martin Gibbs and Brian Jukes reflect on the transformation this partnership has brought, sharing memories and lessons from the last 10 years. Head over to Dafferns.com to listen to episode 10.

AGN International, an association of 200 member firms across nearly 100 countries has truly broadened our perspectives and transformed how we work. This milestone also coincides with Martin's retirement after 26 years as a partner – a fitting moment to look back.

Highlights to date:
Our first (daunting but rewarding) conference in Copenhagen
Becoming Brexit thought leaders – presenting globally and publishing widely-read insights
Leaning on AGN during the COVID-19 pandemic, providing critical support and knowledge-sharing
Gaining early exposure to AI and ESG trends through international collaboration
Attending 35+ global events and building lasting professional relationships
Helping clients expand internationally via trusted AGN connections
Developing future leaders through AGN’s partner development programmes
Reinforcing our identity as authentic, agile, and connected advisors.

#10yearswithAGN #globalconnections #international #connected

Our office will be closed this afternoon, as we ce

Our office will be closed this afternoon, as we celebrate the upcoming retirements of Martin Gibbs and Brian King.

After many years of dedicated service at Dafferns, Martin and Brian are preparing to begin a well-earned new chapter and adventure. This afternoon is about recognising their contributions and lasting impact they’ve had on colleagues, clients and the firm as a whole.

We thank them both for everything, they will be missed but wish them all the very best for the future!

We are delighted to announce a significant milesto

We are delighted to announce a significant milestone in our firm’s international journey.

Lucy Hatton, our Corporate & International Partner, has been appointed to the AGN International EMEA Board.

Lucy joins an elite group of nine board members from leading firms across Europe and the Middle East, working under regional chair Eric Seyvos of Paris-based BM&A.

#womeninleadership #EMEAboard #international

Mandeep spent a lovely sunny morning attending the

Mandeep spent a lovely sunny morning attending the @cwchampions Connect event at @ansty_hall with insightful presentations from Adam Cooksley, Faye Hampson and Dan Hemming!

We’re making the most of this beautiful weather

We’re making the most of this beautiful weather and had our annual team BBQ.

Sunshine, laughter, good food and great company – just how we like our team socials!

We may even need to do organise another one before the summer holidays begin…

#team #bbqseason #teambonding #summer25

There’s still time to join us Thursday morning f

There’s still time to join us Thursday morning for the @icaew Midlands: Career Journey – Transition to Partner event with @wrighthassall, @dafferns, Handelsbanken, Emily Ball-Goldfinch, Brian Jukes, Freya Summers, Dani Coe and Karen Claydon.

If you're aiming for partnership, wondering if it’s the right next step in your career or supporting others on that path, you won’t want to miss it.

Hear directly from those who’ve made the leap to partner as they share honest insights, lessons learned, and what they wish they’d known along the way...

Our very own Emily and Brian from team Dafferns will be chairing and speaking at the event!
#icaew #careergoals #leadership #networking

We’re just 4 weeks away from our annual charity

We’re just 4 weeks away from our annual charity tennis and table tennis tournaments, with all proceeds going to The Lily Mae Foundation.

A huge thank you to everyone who has already signed up – we appreciate your support and look forward to seeing you soon.

If you haven’t booked your spot yet, there’s still time!
You can sign up at Dafferns.com/events, or just drop Sophie Essex-Masmoudi a message.

#SportsForCharity #TableTennisTournament #LilyMaeFoundation #CommunitySupport #TableTennisFun

Say hello to the Dafferns Chartered Accountants an

Say hello to the Dafferns Chartered Accountants and Business Advisers Skydive Team!

(L-R) Luke Horne, Suzi Kaur, Emily Ball-Goldfinch, James Smithyman, Emily Hall, Sam Allison.

When Matt Whitehouse from The Lily Mae Foundation visited us back in February to share more about the amazing work the charity does and how they raise funds, he mentioned a skydive… and here we are!

These six brave (and perhaps just a little bit crazy!) colleagues are preparing to jump out of a plane, all to raise funds for @lilymae070210

We’re so proud of them and will be cheering them on every step of the way!

If you would like to support them and donate, please head over to our @justgiving page. Every little bit helps!

#Dafferns #Skydive #Fundraising #CharityChallenge

Pictured is our leadership team. Why? Because th

Pictured is our leadership team. Why?

Because they have walked the walk, so now Brian Jukes is going to talk the talk on the tax implications of becoming a partner in a partnership model firm.

He will be joined by Freya Summers for legal guidance, as well as Karen Claydon and Dani Coe to explore the finance options available.

If you’re aiming for partnership or open to the idea, this event is for you. There will also be networking and breakfast at this free event, so why wouldn’t you be there?

Thursday 19 June from 9am to 11.30am
Venue: Wright Hassall, Royal Leamington Spa, CV34 6BF

Register now to join @icaew Midlands, @wrighthassall, @handelsbankenuk, and us!

#careergoals #pathtopartner #partnership