I am an account’s assistant and bookkeeper. I have worked in accounts since I was 25. I enjoy the job and have always been interested in numbers which is why I’ve had a successful career in the industry for the past 25 years.
That level of experience means I know exactly how the system works and what I can do for a client. My focus is on being open, honest and transparent with the goal of keeping to HMRC deadlines.
Anyone can put numbers into a spreadsheet but it takes experience to ensure it’s done correctly. My role isn’t to give advice to a client but to undertake all of the background research to allow Paul to provide the best guidance for them.
Bookkeeping involves a lot of work and centres around a variety of areas, from yearly returns through to VAT, bank reconciliations, sales, purchases, invoices, expenses, loans and statements.
In short, I’m here to help to produce a full set of accounts which will show a complete snapshot of what that business is doing at any given time.
It requires a lot of expertise to qualify as a bookkeeper. I spent three years studying with the Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT) to obtain an NVQ Level Four qualification which means I am a part qualified accountant.
Being part of a professional trade body means I conform to their high standards of practice, and, as such, I perform tasks to a tight set of rules and principles.
Working alongside Paul is good as being in a small team means you can provide valued input into the day to day running of the business. It’s the same feeling our clients have when they work with us.
They recognise that they receive a more personal service from us when compared to larger accounting companies where businesses and sole traders can become easily ‘lost in the crowd.’ With us, you’re treated as a valued person – not a number.
Good bookkeeping is fundamental to your accounts. If your mind is wired to technology then having your own accounting package is fine – as long as what you’re inputting into it is done correctly.
If, for instance, you upload a fuel receipt and it goes wrong then you won’t have a true representation of your business. In short, if you get your bookkeeping right then your accounts will be spot on.
Working with us allows you to have that one to one business relationship which ensures complete transparency for your accounts.
Letting us work through your figures, statements and paperwork takes the pressure off of you and allows you to focus on what you want to focus on – your business!
A lot of people don’t necessarily have the time to spend pouring through spreadsheets. Passing the workload to us can provide a real sense of relief for business owners and sole traders.
Feedback from clients tells us that they recognise their books are in good hands and they know that reasonably set deadlines will be met.
Clients ask how they can help us to do our jobs to the best of our ability. I always say that it’s good if you can get your accounts into us in good time so we can analyse them, and, if there are any queries, then we have plenty of time to go through them with you.
In other words, providing us with a reasonably organised set of accounts is important as it really helps us to do our best for you.
We can provide a complete set of accounts for you as long as you can give us the time to do it – with the correct paperwork in place to do so.
If you want your books done correctly then it’s best to come to an expert bookkeeper as they can provide ‘peace of mind.’
In short, working with myself means that if HMRC did ever mount an investigation then you shouldn’t have any issues as you know that your accounts have been properly, and professionally produced.
Away from work, family life often revolves around my husband’s hobby of steam trains. We were even lucky enough to recently win a television competition for VIP tickets to one of the country’s leading steam train museums.
It was a memorable day – especially as we had the chance to experience a ‘foot plate ride’ where we stood where the driver normally stands!
