Jessica Pillow
Member Since: 11th May 2009
Likes: 0
Thanks: 38
I am Jessica Pillow, Director and owner of Pillow May. I'm passionate about cloud accounting software, process automation technology, and promoting the efficiency benefits of flexible & remote working practices. I am also an author for ICAEW, regular industry speaker, and cloud software innovator & development consultant.
Now is a really exciting time to work in the accountancy industry; technology advances and MTD is finally bolstering everyone into the digital era, so accountants need to really step up to stand out!
I set up Pillow May in 2009 to break free from industry stereotypes and as early adopters of cloud software, cloud bookkeeping and fixed-fee pricing, we were pioneering in offering our clients a dynamic & fresh approach.
Pillow May’s vision is to be “accountants for a better life”. A simple statement, representing a multitude of grand plans and ambitions. We recognise what a huge emotional and financial investment it is to start your own business and see it as our privilege, to help our clients cultivate a healthy financial environment - from which they can forge a better life.
To prove we are still getting it right, we were included as one of the world’s most inspiring accountants in the recent book of that name, the featured client case study demonstrated how offering personalised expert advice made a real difference to our client’s bottom line.
My answers
Price list for compliance work
Hi
We use a price list for our compliance work so that I don`t get talked down on price and my staff can also price & invoice as easily as me. All our prices include unlimited day to day advice which is costly in the first year but then you get the returns in the future years. Clients love the simplicity and transparency.
See our website for the fee and services brochures for each service area - www.pillowmay.co.uk
iZettle
If you`re looking for a cloud sales recorder then I`d recommend iZettle. I know lots of shops using this and they get on really well with it. It integrates with Freeagent at the moment via a workaround.
Get something up and then keep changing it!
HI
I'd say just get something up first thing for your website as it'll be a good start - you probably already have!
Then each time you get a chance, develop another area of the website, or change an existing area.
We've completely rebuilt our website twice and are about to give it a major tweak, especially in the services section as we're now specialising and we never finished this section last year :)
I try and let my website tell people how I want to run my business and what my core values are. That was my starting point and now I`m gradually building in more content.
Client secure area is a must for me as it means that clients have to keep going back to your website. We are looking for a more fancy solution than we have now but it does the job.
The Firm of The Future
I've just read The Firm of the Future by Ron Baker & Paul Dunn. It made this dilemma so much clearer by explaining the new practice equation which is replacing the one that you're referring to. I'd recommend a read of it!
ICAEW
It was fairly vague and written in legal speak but it did clearly say that there was a problem which would give the new accountant the opportunity to enquire further if they wanted to. I was also advised not to send over the information requested until I'd heard back from the new accountant as to whether he was actually going to act or not. The new accountant just requested the information to be sent over and did not ask for any other details.
Ask Institute
Hi
I had a similar situation to this and for once, ICAEW were really helpful. They wrote the professional clearance letter for me (or told me what to write)!
Centipede Suite Ltd
I`ve been hosted with Hosted Desktop UK Ltd since May 2012. However, my husband and I are currently setting up a company (Centipede Suite Ltd) to allow small practitioners (like myself) to share IT & workflow systems (and other services too in the future) to gain economies of scale and greater buying power.
We offer fully integrated accounts & tax software and document management system, all over the cloud via Hosted Desktop UK Ltd. The whole package has been tried and tested by my practice to get it running smoothly over the past 10 months and also includes associated workflows so it is literally ready to log onto and go.
Please direct mail me if you would like more details. As it is hosted, it will definitely work on a mac!
New integrated IT system for small accountants
I use the fully integrated Digita suite combined with Virtual Cabinet document management system on a hosted desktop system which has really made our team and work processes so efficient.
I am shortly about to release shared access to this integrated system to small accountants (up to a maximum of around 5 users per practice), for a low monthly cost, with Digita priced on a per client basis.
I am aiming to get top-end IT solutions available to the very smallest accountancy practices. There'll then be other services we can get more cheaply on top, by bulk-buying training credits, outsourcing arrangements and admin support to name just a few things...
Interested? Get in touch with me. No website yet but will be launching within the next month.
Which is the web friendly one
Which is the web friendly one as when I spoke to the members helpline this week, they said we had to use this one and couldn't use the old one anymore? I have sent them an email showing the two logos so hopefully if I have got it wrong, they will come back and tell me that I was worrying over nothing and that I don't need to change the logos on my publicity!
(No subject)