Friendly face behind the figures

accountancy: Janet Mclean opened Tax Assist Accountants in home town Dunfermline last year

Starting her own accountancy firm had always been a dream for Janet Mclean, 34, but it was not until she spotted the right opportunity that she took the plunge.

Q What does your business do?

A We provide all the services you would expect of an accountancy practice from business accounts for sole traders, partnerships and limited companies to self-assessment tax returns for individual tax payers, payroll, bookkeeping, VAT returns etc. Plus that key element which is often missing – readily understandable personal tax advice.

Q How and why did you start in business?

A It was a long process. We took our time to make sure we had the right location and that the costs were all manageable and realistic. We had a business plan and were determined to stick to it. Accountancy is what I’m qualified in and I enjoy breaking the mould of your stereotypical accountant. My real ambition has always been to work with individuals or owners of SMEs, get to know them and their business and not be a faceless individual in the corporate world.

Q How did you get to where you are today?

A I would say persistence and an inner belief that it is the right thing for me. At every turn from studying to running a pub, I always knew it was about learning and getting that one step closer to one day having my own accountancy business.

Q Who has helped you along the way?

A I’ve had amazing support from all my friends, colleagues and family. I also realised very quickly that there is a huge range of free support and professional advice out there to be tapped into from Business Gateway Fife. As well as support and advice I was also awarded a grant from the Town Centre Business Support Fund through Business Gateway Fife which has helped tremendously in making this a reality.

Q What was your biggest mistake?

A Not made a biggie yet. But I think it would be if I started to take things for granted. I need to be out there promoting the business not expecting that things will simply fall into my lap.

Q What is your greatest achievement to date?

A Children aside, it has to be the opening of this business. It really is like a dream come true. Like every other one of my fellow students who I went to college with I am sure we all thought “one day I’ll have my own accountancy business”, well now I do and I feel very proud.

Q What do you hope to achieve in the future?

A Growth is the key word for me. I specifically picked my premises in Bruce Street to accommodate that and ideally I would in the future like to increase the number of offices we have covering a larger area.