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| Jon Jenkins set up Smart Accountancy Systems to bring the benefits of cloud computing to his clients |
Jon was frustrated by what he felt were the old-fashioned attitudes in many traditional accountancy practices. They lacked a commercial edge, a willingness to change and a commitment to client care. He felt he could do better and in March 2011, he started his own firm, Smart Accountancy Systems, based in Bournemouth, Dorset.
Founded on a desire to deliver outstanding service to clients and offering value for money by using the latest software and technology, it took about a year for Jon’s venture to find its feet.
As with so many small businesses, discovering what the service offering would look like in detail required time. But by early 2012, Jon was confident he had discovered the appropriate approach for his firm.
Results prove the value of the Smart Accountancy Concept
That he’s chosen the right direction has been vindicated by a recent tripling in client numbers. Clarity of vision has also allowed him to focus his marketing on the sectors where he’s already enjoying success, such as start-ups and growing firms.
Jon’s decided to invest heavily in cloud computing, spending a lot of time researching the best solutions available, and not just in accounting packages. He’s won a reputation as something of an expert in cloud solutions across a range of business services.
Having taken the risk of becoming his own boss, Jon’s also decided to restrict his services only to clients willing to embrace cloud accounting systems, such as Xero, KashFlow and FreeAgent. “Calculated risks are good for business,” he said, confident that a highly focused approach will set his firm apart from slower-moving, traditional firms.
“Online accountancy does not mean you never speak to a human,” said Jon, “but completely the opposite, as the technology allows you time to deal with clients’ needs. Our clients have up to date information on which to make business decisions and now spend money on planning, budgeting and forecasting rather than data entry.”
Jon has also put together a business package for start-ups, which has attracted the involvement of many established firms. He intends to begin marketing the package to local start-ups in the near future, helping them to take some of the risk out of their venture by getting support from a variety of organisations, many of whom have helped Smart Accountancy Systems achieve what it has to date.
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