| No one likes doing their accounting (except | | | | just me trudging through my accounts - now it is |
| accountants); there are too many variants, too | | | | much clearer (although I still don't really |
| many spreadsheets, too much jargon, too many | | | | understand what I'm doing). |
| numbers. It's just all too much for most of us. | | | | Something that I thought was particularly daunting |
| Also, if you have ever tried to do your own | | | | when I started all of this was finding Payroll |
| accounts (and I have!) you'll know that there are | | | | Services in Newcastle, well not so much finding |
| a lot of technicalities that it is just impossible for | | | | them, more implementing them. I only have three |
| you to know about unless you have accountancy | | | | staff and the temptation is to pay cash in hand, |
| training. Knowledge of these technicalities can | | | | but my accountant wont let me and I must say, I |
| save you a LOT of money, so for most of us, | | | | am very grateful, because it is saving me a lot of |
| whether it is out of convenience or out of need, | | | | money and the Payroll Services are very easy. |
| we have to use an accountant. | | | | So, accountants, we don't really understand them, |
| Living just outside Newcastle in Whitley Bay, it | | | | we don't know what they really do, we don't |
| was obvious to me that I would look for an | | | | understand why they like what they do, but we |
| account near Newcastle. It's important when | | | | couldn't do without them. It is almost a public |
| choosing your accountant that you choose one | | | | service, these guys should have some sort of |
| local to you - there are times (especially in April) | | | | medal or recognition, and I don't just mean on |
| when you have to pop into see your accountant | | | | Countdown. |
| on a whim. There are quite a lot of accountants in | | | | In life I generally have no regrets, one I do have |
| Whitley Bay, I set up meetings with the three | | | | however is that I ever tried to do my own |
| that I felt looked the most professional and then I | | | | accounting in the first place. I am no Carol |
| chose the one who gave me the least jargon, the | | | | Vorderman and I expect I have halved my life |
| guy that made me feel the least stupid! | | | | expectancy, dramatically increased my hair loss |
| So far, I must say, it has been so much better | | | | and grey hairs simultaneously and alienated all of |
| having someone do my accounts for me and I | | | | my friends and family. Having my own accountant |
| have learned a thing or two about how much to | | | | has had a much more positive impact on my life |
| claim back this year, and what to put off until | | | | than having my own therapist. |
| next year. It seemed so confusing when it was | | | | |