Today we catch up with one of our certified partners, Stephanie. Let’s see what makes her practice “Equation Accounting” a successful accounting practice.
1. Who are you and what is it you do?
I’m Stephanie Pettitt, Managing Director of Equation Accounting. We specialise in accounting for Freelancers and Digital Designers.
2. How long have you been using Clear Books and how did you come across the software?
I became a Clear Books client in 2011. I loved the simplicity of the programme and my clients adopted it easily. Using Clear Books allowed me to grow my business on the cloud in a way I had never imagined before. It also meant I could relocate to an area I really love; Poole in Dorset on the sunny South Coast.
3. Why did you decided to become an accountant?
I picked a profession which utilises my strengths, incorporates my passion for business and is a rewarding occupation through helping people understand their finances.
4. What makes you different from other accountants?
I’m a financial coach as well as an accountant. I help clients understand their figures through half a dozen short sessions on Skype designed to deepen financial knowledge, awareness and confidence. I think it’s so important for Directors to understand their figures; what they mean, how they are put together, how they can be improved. It’s a liberating experience for anyone who has always struggled or felt fearful of the numbers or who wishes to gain crystal clear clarity in their finances.
5. What kind of clients do you cater for?
We work specifically with Freelancers and Digital Designers. As a cloud based business we identify with other cloud professions who enjoy the freedom, efficiency and simplicity of working on the cloud.
6. What added value do you bring to your clients?
We offer monthly financial reports which show our clients in a short, easy-to-read report how much money they have made, how much they need to put away in tax and how much they can legally draw from their company. This report only takes a couple of minutes to read but keeps the client fully up to date with their finances.
The availability of financial coaching means we offer a service which encourages clients to ask questions, learn and progress.
7. What’s the one top tip you’d give to someone thinking about starting up a business?
Be prepared for a steep, thrilling learning curve, trust your gut and find an accountant who you connect with, who and is happy to spend time helping you set the business up correctly.
8. What’s the one top tip you’d give to someone who’s moving from start-up phase to growth phase?
Find yourself a business mentor to help guide you through the growth phase. Growth can be a tough and exciting time. Build a strong team around you who support your ideas and growth.
9. What’s the best thing about what you do?
Without doubt its helping clients gain clarity and control of their business finances and staying in control of them.
10. Where do you see yourself in 5 years’ time?
Great question. I want to spend three months abroad each year, running my accountancy and coaching business from the cloud and (in my down time) scuba diving in temperate waters and sunnier climes. This is the big dream for me. Luckily with the versatility and accessibility of the cloud it’s also a realistic one. And very exciting.
11. What’s the next client you want to on-board?
Ideally a Sole Director Freelancer who works remotely and is keen to learn more about how their business finances work. A client who is happy to invest an hour or so of time per month to keep on top of their finances.
12. What are you into outside of the accounting world?
I live on the South Coast and absolutely love the sea. I spend my down-time scuba diving, taking digital underwater photographs, swimming and learning about photography. I’m also a Marine Conservation Volunteer (counting and monitoring local sea creatures for population decline data records) and a volunteer Business Mentor for start-ups and growth businesses with Dormen Mentors in Dorset.
13. What will you be doing as soon as you’ve finished answering these questions?
Quick cup of coffee and on with the financial reports for my lovely clients
