A new, free of charge service has just been launched to help local businesses. Business owners can come along to a business clinic where they can ask questions about their finances or about how to move their businesses forward.
The service has been set up by accountant, Anna Goodwin, of Anna Goodwin Accountancy in Walsall. Anna knows that business owners find aspects of accounting daunting and sometimes difficult to understand. She says,
“Business owners often have questions about their finances. I did a quick survey among my contacts and asked them whether they would be interested in a business clinic where they could come and ask me any questions they might have. The response was an overwhelming ‘yes’.”
Anna’s Business Clinic takes the form of 15-minute slots, which can be booked in advance with Anna and is open to both clients of Anna Goodwin Accountancy and non-clients.
Having been an accountant for over 30 years, and with more than 12 years’ experience of being in business herself, Anna knows how small businesses work and understands the highs and lows that come with self-employment. Small business owner, Tiffeny Hildick came to Anna for advice. She says,
“Anna is very approachable and understanding and offers a space of openness and honesty. With very little information she’s able to piece together the options with clarity and simplicity for the non-accountant!”
Anna’s Business Clinic takes place twice a month locally. The first is usually on the first Friday of the month in the coffee bar at the Village Hotel in Walsall (Tempus Drive, Walsall WS2 8TJ), near junction 10 of the M6. And the second is usually on the third Friday of the month at Burlington Hotel in Birmingham (Burlington Arcade, 126 New Street, Birmingham B2 4JQ) until further notice.
Anna also welcomes accountants who wish to explore new ways to develop the broader advisory services required by business owners today. She recognises that the role of accountants is changing due to new technology, increased competition and evolving client expectations.
“There is real concern among accountants that technology will literally take their jobs. I provide a mentoring service, which helps accountants to future-proof their practices. The business clinic is a good opportunity for accountants to find out more about my mentoring service.”
The mentoring service Anna provides covers the key issues that business owners face and how accountants can address them, how to reach out to new and existing clients via channels that are often overlooked, and how to build successful working relationships with clients. Jen Parker of J.P. Accountancy Services recognised the need to start her new accountancy practice on the right footing with some timely advice from Anna. Jen says,
“After meeting with Anna, I was given a fresh boost of confidence in how to make my business work. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed when starting an accountancy practice but Anna’s advice has given me the clarity I was lacking. I would definitely consider using her as a mentor in the future.”
If you have a burning question about your business finances or are an accountant looking to future-proof your practice, book your place at Anna’s business Clinic by contacting Anna on 07711 805183 or by filling out the contact form on her website www.annagoodwinaccountancy.co.uk.
