Like many small business owners, Simon Somerville-Frost of Brew Bar in Harrogate was passionate about his venture but nervous about the numbers. He had been happy to leave the financials to his accountant and was unaware that the data within his online accounting software wasn’t accurate.

He heard about Wild & Co Chartered Accountants and their proactive approach but he was worried it would be hard to switch to someone new.

Simon says: “Moving to Wild & Co was very straightforward because Liz did everything for me. She then carried out a health check which identified that my Xero accounting software wasn’t up to date. Within a week she had updated everything herself, putting in extra hours to set up new processes which were easy to understand and simple to manage.

“I don’t have a financial background so I’ve never been comfortable with the accounting side of the business. Wild & Co have made everything so easy to use and understand that I feel much more confident. Liz introduced me to a bookkeeper too and that’s been a big help.

“Liz is a big part of the business already. Within just a few months we have built up a great rapport and I wholeheartedly trust her. She keeps me informed of things I need to be aware of and I know the numbers I’m looking at in Xero are right up to date.”

Brew Bar launched on St Winifred’s Avenue in the Saints area of Harrogate in 2018 serving speciality coffee and handmade cakes. Its reputation grew quickly through word of mouth and it has become an established part of the local community.

The pandemic has brought all sorts of extra challenges for Simon, including furlough.

Simon explains: “When Liz took over she discovered I’d overpaid several thousands pounds in pension payments. She explained everything in a way that I could understand and now I’m clear about how it works and the processes I need to follow. She also found that my previous years tax return calculation were incorrect which would have resulted in significantly higher tax bill for me this year. This has now been resolved.

“It’s been a weird year and we have got used to a different pace during Covid, with a steady stream of people coming in, using our outdoor seating area or grabbing a coffee for a walk across the Stray.

“I feel confident that whatever challenges lie ahead, Liz will help me work through them and keep my business on track.”

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