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Ex-PwC accountant goes solo in Northants

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3rd Dec 2012
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Northampton accountant Catherine Booker wanted a career that would allow her to work around her son's school hours, as well as provide a solid income. 

She searched for part-time jobs that fit the bill, but to no avail. It was then she considered setting up her own practice. 

Booker has a 14-year background in accountancy , including five years in PwC, where she qualified as a chartered accountant.

After that, she worked in an office stationary firm and a large legal practice as an accountant. 

Her son began school this year, prompting her to start searching for something that would give her a bit more flexibility. As a result, CJB Accounting was born. 

"It's a new challenge for me," Booker said. 

Despite being new to the practice scene, she has already identified personal benefits of being in practice as opposed to industry.

"What I enjoyed the most about accounting before I came into practice is auditing, visiting different people and different places. But I always felt I was bothering them with compliance issues and so on. In practice, they're now coming to me for advice and help. They want your service and I prefer that," she said. 

Her firm, which she has been busy setting up since September, aims to help businesses monitor their performance efficiently and cost effectively, giving them the tools they need from a smaller, less expensive accountancy firm. 

While Booker says she enjoys what she does, starting up in practice isn't all fun and games. 

"I'm really new to this, so I don't have much of an income yet," Booker laughed.

"Other difficulties include my background in accounting, not marketing. I've been trying to market my firm through direct mail and publications, but I don't have any contacts as I haven't been working with an accounting firm for years," she said.

"I'm not so hot on social media, I'd rather leave it, but I'll do what it takes if it means getting me off the ground," she added.  

For AccountingWEB resources on setting up in practice, see: 

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