About Eddie
As a person
I am friendly and accessible, an experienced business trainer who likes to relate to people on an individual level. I love working with people on their pet projects, finding ways to make step improvements without losing work-life balance.
I have a strong creative and intellectual life, and am interested in philosophy, literature and psychology, as well as music and photography.
I love sport, swim almost every day, and do the occasional triathlon.
As well as being a Chartered Accountant, and helping people to grow their businesses, I also work as a psychologist and psychotherapist, helping people to develop themselves in whatever way they wish.
As an accountant
Bookkeeping and financial systems
I qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 1995, and in the ensuing 30 years have gained experience with accountancy practices, charities, the public sector and commercial organisations. I have also trained finance and business skills all around the world. In more recent years, I have shifted my attention towards helping business owners to develop their businesses. I have accumulated considerable experience in helping to set up accounting systems, business plans, and budgets and forecasts. I have also helped with statutory returns and all aspects of tax and administration.
A personal approach
I believe strongly that business systems should suit the people involved, particularly the business owner. I take great care to personalise my approach, listening carefully to where you and your business want to go.
My qualifications in psychology and counselling help me to tailor business processes to suit the nature and style of your business and team.
An enabling and training approach
I have noticed that most accountants are quite functional, doing what is necessary to complete their admin, and then moving away from the business, charging quite a lot in the process. In contrast, I tend to engage quite strongly with the interests of the business owner, supporting the business’s ability to help itself, to do its own accounts and returns, and not depend too much on expensive third-party help. I regard myself as a trainer and enabler, supporting you in getting your systems and records just where you want them to be, and in making the right business decisions with you.
Working with your business
Developing both you and your business
Facing business problems together
You can expect me to work alongside you, so that you can regard me as a companion in thinking about the business problems you face. Many clients meet with me on Zoom regularly, and we check progress on business projects and priorities. This can be on the micro level – for instance, helping you decide how to analyse your transactions on your accounting software – or on the macro level, thinking with you about how to raise funds or develop areas of your business.
Help with day-to-day tasks
Most of the time, I am helping clients to keep their accounts nice and clean, so that they can review good management accounts and easily see their current financial performance and position.
No one was born knowing everything about VAT and other taxes, so I also commonly help business owners to navigate VAT registration, company registration, and the submission of required returns.
Business recovery and growth
Many business, when we are first in contact, are having difficulties either with admin or finance. Through discussion, we end up identifying key actions to turn the business around and get it first on an even keel, and then making significant profits. I have considerable experience in business improvement, and have worked with several clients to get them back into profit and flourishing.
