Wolf&Grayson EditorialTraditional accounting firms often leave small business owners feeling lost in jargon and disconnected from their financial advisors. When Alessia Falanga recognised this widespread problem during her time at larger corporate firms, she decided to bridge that gap by creating a boutique accounting practice, Falanga & Co. A firm that prioritises education, clarity and genuine client relationships over traditional compliance.
Clarity for Clients
Back in 2010, Alessia and her business partner Samuel, were working at large corporate accounting firms when they spotted a glaring problem. “We identified a clear gap in the level of advice small to medium-sized businesses were receiving compared to their larger counterparts. The advice often lacked personalisation, and fees were premium” she recalls. We wanted to deliver advice in a way that made sense for business owners. The duo wasn’t interested in copying what everyone else was doing. They’d seen enough over the years to know that many industry practices needed a complete overhaul. “We definitely felt that there were certain standards that needed redefining,” she explains. Observations from their corporate days became the foundation for how they’d run their own firm differently.
One of the first things they tackled was the ridiculous amount of confusing language that accounting firms love to throw around. “Some of the standards that we felt needed redefining were the overuse of accounting jargon and the complexity around it,” she notes. “Business owners need clarity. Just speaking to people in a way that is clear for them to understand.” Education became another major focus, even though it went against conventional wisdom in the industry. Some accountants hesitate to teach their clients too much because they worry clients might make mistakes that take longer to fix or attempt to manage everything themselves, potentially reducing the need for accounting services. Alessia sees it completely differently. “We want our business clients to learn and be well informed. They need to understand what they’re looking at. So, it’s not about just delivering a number at the end of the quarter or at the end of the year. It’s about learning, what does that number mean? How did we get there?”
Simplifying Services
Even the way Falanga & Co structure their service offerings reflects a practical, client-focused approach. Instead of presenting the usual industry service lists, they organise solutions based on the stage of the business. “Our packages aren’t structured like a traditional firm’s—they’re designed around where you are in your business journey,” she explains. “If you’re just starting out, we provide the services you need at that stage. If you’re building or growing, we tailor our support accordingly.” This approach helps business owners easily identify what fits their needs, without having to decode confusing service descriptions. It’s all about making the process simpler and more helpful.
Listening to Innovate
When it comes to developing new ideas, Alessia believes many business owners see innovation as just another item on their never-ending to-do list. “I think where most business owners struggle is feeling like they have to come up with everything themselves,” she says. Her approach is refreshingly simple: ask the people you’re trying to help. “We talk to the people we serve—our clients, our team. It’s not unusual for us to reach out and ask for feedback. We’ll ask questions like, ‘What do you need? What would actually help you?’” This direct feedback loop has been instrumental in shaping their service offerings over the years. “Innovation becomes a lot easier when you’re listening,” Alessia adds. “But when you try to innovate in isolation, you’re limited to your own knowledge and perspective.” It’s a straightforward concept, but one that many businesses tend to overlook.
Through Falanga & Co, Alessia is challenging the status quo of traditional accounting—not by reinventing the wheel, but by focusing on what business owners truly need: clarity, meaningful advice, and human connection. By replacing jargon with understanding and compliance-heavy tasks with real conversations, she’s redefining what it means to be an accountant in today’s world. In an industry anxious about technology and AI, Falanga & Co shows that success now comes from listening, simplifying, and showing up where it truly counts.
Stay connected with Alessia Falanga through her website, LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook
