Save content
Have you found this content useful? Use the button above to save it to your profile.
AIA

My first year in practice: Della Hudson

by
1st Mar 2010
Save content
Have you found this content useful? Use the button above to save it to your profile.

With Self Assessment season safely behind them, AccountingWEB.co.uk caught up with some of our start up practice group members to see how their firms are progressing.

AccountingWEB last spoke to Della Hudson in November, at the tail end of her first year in practice. She had started up her practice working one day a week in January and stepped up her commitment in September when her youngest child started school. Having passed that all important one year mark, Della is back to fill us in on her progress so far.

AccountingWEB:  We last caught up with you in November last year. What progress have you made since then in terms of consolidating your business?
Della: My first self assessment deadline was a bit of an anticlimax. By mid January all the returns were complete although I had to wait a further week to meet with one client to sign off. I didn't pick up any last minute self assessment clients; when the 'phone rang it was limited companies with November/December year ends.

AccountingWEB: Have there been any major challenges over the last few months that you’ve had to overcome?
Della: The usual challenge of balancing work and family life. I often have to pull myself up and remind myself of my priorities. I have a wonderfully supportive husband and it is all too easy to take him for granted.

AccountingWEB: Have you attracted any new clients since we last spoke? If so, how did they come to you?
Della: New clients have come through mailshots or my website (written by previously mentioned "wonderfully supportive husband").

AccountingWEB: Have you experimented with any new marketing techniques over the last few months? How effective have they been?
Della: I am in talks with a telemarketing company and will invest a small amount to see whether this is cost effective. In the meantime I will continue with mailshots and local networking groups.

AccountingWEB: One of the themes we’re covering this month is the paperless office. Do you think it’s practical for a small firm like yourself to have a completely paperless office? What’s your opinion of the drive towards paperless working?
Della: I do not aspire to become completely paperless but a less paper office is definitely essential.
AccountingWEB: Which of your processes are paperless at present?

Della: I currently run two parallel systems for everything. If something comes in on paper it is filed in the paper system; I don't bother scanning to file in a paperless system. Emails and other electronic data are filed electronically and not printed out to file in a paper system. The reasons for keeping as much as possible paperless are:

  1. Off site backup
  2. Saves space
  3. Saves paper/ink/other costs

AccountingWEB: Do you see any obstacles for small accounting firms like yourself to going paperless?
Della: The barrier to going completely paperless is cost of equipment and time to scan all incoming paper. It is important to remember that time spent filing should not outweigh the time saved on retrieval.

AccountingWEB: Have there been any successes you’ve had over the past couple of months, or new things you’ve tried that you’re keen to share with other small practitioners?
Della: I have recently teamed up with an IFA as I noticed that most of my clients have no pensions etc. Many of them try to discuss these matters with me so now I can pass them on to a suitably qualified contact. The idea is to help my clients with all their financial needs but it may also benefit me.
 

 

Replies (1)

Please login or register to join the discussion.

avatar
By nathansurendran
05th Mar 2010 03:01

Paperless Office Alternative
Consider this: http://www.mindtouch.com/blog/tag/scansnap/ - the MindTouch offering is great for organising knowledge generally, and combined with the ability to scan and OCR direct to your knowledge-base, this could work well for your business.

Let me know what your thoughts are!

Nathan

Thanks (0)