UK Enterprise Awards 2021

118 | UK Enterprise Awards 2021 do business, there is so much support for small businesses with the FSB championing SMEs and numerous networking opportunities with likeminded small businesses who all support each other. With the right infrastructure in place, there has never been a better time to be a small business owner in the UK. “When I started my bookkeeping business, I spent hours creating the documents, templates, and procedures that I needed to satisfy my practice license. Recently, I was discussing compliance documents with a local bookkeeper who asked if I would be willing to sell her my templates. Margot had a successful bookkeeping practice and needed to have templates in place for her ICB practice license. So naturally, I was happy to help, I created a set of documents for her highlighting what information she needed to put in the spaces provided. Needless to say, Margot was delighted with the documents and the hours she had saved by not having to create them from scratch. Encouraged by the feedback I received, I have recently created Bookkeeping in a Box (a selection of 20 template forms, letters, and documents to get the new bookkeeper started on their business journey). Moving forward, I am very hopeful this will prove popular with others starting out on their bookkeeping career”. Company: Bean Counters Contact: Wendy Tate Email: [email protected] Web: www.bean-counters.co.uk Phone: 01933 71 72 73 Apr21232 Best Cost-Effective Bookkeeping & Accounts Solutions - East of England Established in 2014, Bean Counters offers an outsourced accounts department for the self-employed and SMEs. Following the firm’s well-deserved success in the UK Enterprise Awards 2021, we caught up with Wendy Tate to find out more. Whether your business is new or old, Bean Counters is committed to providing efficient accounting services to support the growth and sustainability of our clients businesses. To start, Wendy gives us a brief overview of the firm and offers more insight into the values it holds. “Based in Northamptonshire, Bean Counters is a forward-thinking digital practice which offers an efficient and cost-effective cloud based bookkeeping and accounts solution, tailored to the individual needs of our clients. Our clients are at the centre of everything we do, so at all times we try to offer sound advice based on our client’s financial data”. Across East England, bookkeeping continues to prove a very competitive industry to operate in, however as Wendy goes on to explain, its commitment to the environment is a factor which has given the firm an advantage over some of its closest rivals in recent times. “With an increasing focus on the environment around us, we are doing everything we can to reduce the impact of our business on the future of our planet. Bean Counters has a paperless office policy, and by contributing each year to a global portfolio of verified carbon reduction projects we are doing our bit to protect the planet for future generations. As a carbon neutral business, we’re very proud to be listed in the Beyond Carbon Neutral Directory of carbon neutral businesses”. Despite the outbreak of COVID-19, the firm was well prepared for the pandemic as it was already equipped to offer clients a seamless solution, as Wendy explains further. “The impact of COVID-19 has certainly accelerated the need for cloud accounting solutions, however as we were already working remotely prior to the outbreak, this put us in good stead to offer support to clients during a difficult time. Additionally, the use of Zoom has proved invaluable in offering online training on Xero and remote support”. Finally, Wendy discusses the main benefits of the firm’s location before outlining some of its plans for the future. “The UK is a great place to