The proud founder and leader of the business, Jan spent time working abroad before coming back in search of a career. After training as an accounting technician, she was given the opportunity to become a chartered accountant and the rest as they say, is history.
Q: How did you get into the industry?
A: After a very short time working abroad after my A levels, I decided it was time to get a job. I’d never even thought about being an accountant, it just came early in the alphabetical list of careers!
I started to train as an accounting technician (AAT) on day release with a firm on the Wirral and once qualified was offered the opportunity to train to become a Chartered Accountant – I was delighted.
Q: What does a normal day look like for you?
A: Every day is different. We have hybrid working so some days I’ll be WFH on my own and some days I’ll be in the office with the team.
Typically, I’ll see clients to discuss their accounts or help them with their future plans and I’ll speak to potential new clients to see how we can help them
I’m the back stop in the business so will help any real problems that the Team need help with, although that doesn’t happen often!
Common misconceptions about your job?
1) That we “add up” and that you have to be really good at maths to be an accountant
2) That accountants are boring
3) That we wear grey suits (although I have been known to)
Q: What do you do outside of work?
A: I run! As a late entrant to the sport, I’ve progressed through the distances and ran two marathons in 2022 (Manchester and London). Achieveing a “good for age” place gave me the chance to run the iconic Boston Marathon which I did in April 2023. I’m now hoping to do the remaing four world major marathons.
I also like to cook although I’m no cake-baker.
I’m a Liverpool Season Ticket holder
Q: Tea or Coffee?
A: In the office – tea, no milk or sugar
In a coffee shop – a latte
Q: What would your last meal on earth be?
A: A rare ribeye with fries, salad and a stilton sauce
Q: If you could only watch one movie for the rest of your life, what would it be?
A: An Inspector Calls
Q: Interesting fact about yourself / greatest achievement?
A: I’m proud of lots of things I’ve done – qualifying as a Charted Accountant / being the President of the Liverpool Society of Chartered Accountants / running the Boston marathon in 3:28:07 / being the current ladies captain of my running club, Wallasey AC.
But if I have to pick the greatest, it is running a successful accountancy business since 2005 and working with my fab team.
Q: What do you think will be a big industry trend/ change within the next 5 years?
A: We work in a really fast-changing industry. Technology is key in our profession and there will continue to be a shift from our involvement in compliance services to more hands on business advice. That said, I can’t imagine a time in my lifetime when a set of accounts or a tax return can be done completely correct with no human intervention and the postponement by HMRC of Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income Tax will only make people need us for longer and delay some peoples use of technology
