JOANNE BELL
DIRECTOR – BELLS ACCOUNTANTS
Joanne, please tell us about what you do, how you ended up doing this and why you are passionate about your work.
Being an entrepreneur, property developer and multiple business owner I understand exactly what it is like to launch and grow your own business.
You will have the typical picture of an accountant in your head – a grey man in a grey suit who baffles you with numbers and balance sheets!! I set up Bells Accountants because I wanted to take a different approach. An approach that is just as professional and is geared towards saving clients’ money on their tax liabilities but one that is also friendly, approachable, jargon free and great value for money.
I am passionate about providing a different kind of accountancy service, one that is reliable and efficient but also innovative in terms of business advisory services. My role as Director is to build close working relationships with our clients to ensure that we are as proactive as we can be, that we are delivering excellent customer service and of course to lead my team and ensure that our values are instilled throughout the business.
Tell us about your greatest achievement.
Crossing the £1million pound of revenue mark in my accountancy business! My aim is to be the first sole female director to get into the top 100 accountancy practices in the country. I would like to achieve this to show my baby daughter (due in November 19!) that she can be anything she wants to be in life.
What would your advice be to someone thinking of entering finance as a profession?
Try to get as much practical experience as possible. Qualifications are great but communication and personal skills are just as important!
What is your experience of the finance industry from a woman's point of view? Would you say it is a good career choice for a woman?
Yes I would definitely say that the finance industry is a good choice for women. Women have very special qualities as they are able to fully master the technical requirements for the job but also they are skilled at multi tasking and organisation which makes them great at customer service. They also tend to have a lot of emotional intelligence which makes them great managers and communicators so they are able to lead teams and communicate the services they offer to potential customers very effectively.
What's your best financial advice for any woman?
I believe all women should be as financially independent as possible. It is important to be educated in finance so that you can feel secure that you can always take care of yourself and your own financial needs whatever twists and turns life takes.
Faye Watts is a Strategic Business Coach and founder of London accountancy firm, FUSE Accountants. Sharing business development skills with business owners like you through planning, coaching and advisory. She is also the co-founder of Audrey an online platform for women who know there’s more to life and sits on the board of various organisations, including as a trustee for the charity Neuroblastoma UK
