Accountancy venture adds up for new mum

Mar 11 2008 by Karen Dent, The Journal

A MOTHER wants to stop bookkeeping being so taxing for small businesses with her new accountancy enterprise.

Diane Neale, who has spent almost two decades working in accountancy departments, decided to start her own business so she could work around the needs of her 18-month-old son Matthew.

She said: “Although Matthew receives excellent childcare from his grandma and day nursery, having the flexibility of picking him up and collecting him is a real bonus for a new mum.

“Matthew was not only my inspiration to start up, but he was the one that started it all off for me. His first birthday party was in August last year and this is where a friend suggested the idea of starting my own business.”

The setting up of Diane Neale Business Services was also inspired by the concerns she observed among small business owners she met at tax-related training courses. Diane, who is based in Hebburn, South Tyneside, said: “Many people on these courses did not really want to keep their own accounts and a few of them were nervous of getting the figures wrong and genuinely did not want to do them for themselves. This is what first prompted me into saying ‘I could help them’.

“I am both apprehensive and excited at the same time about my new venture, but I know that this is the best time to start out. I shall initially work from home, which gives me great freedom to work for small businesses as they can drop off their books and receipts in their own time.”

She received support from Business Link and Tedco to plan her enterprise and focus on who her key customers were. The business is also a family affair – Diane, who is a member of the Association of Accredited Technicians (MAAT), called on husband Phil to put together her website and sister Linda to print her business stationery.

“This is a great opportunity for me to start my own business as South Tyneside is fast becoming an area of opportunities and I hope to grab mine with both hands,” she said.