This month we spoke to Diane, self-employed English tutor and self-published author.

Diane Jane Ball | Facebook | Goodreads

Hey Diane! Tell us about your business

I am an English tutor but have self-published a novel of biographical fiction based upon the life of Jane Austen and her family and friends.

What drove you to start your business?

I have always enjoyed writing and before I worked in education I was a freelance writer. I found once I left a full time classroom teaching environment to tutor online, then my work life changed, and I now combine teaching online in the evenings with writing during the daytime.

What particular challenges did you have to overcome in setting up your business, and since then?

I wanted to keep my two roles of tutor and author separate, so I set up everything to do with my writing in my pen name, which is also my maiden name. That meant a new business bank account, phone number, Facebook profile, Stripe account, etc. as a sole trader, independent of where I earned my other income.

Why did you choose The Accountancy Partnership?

I liked the online element to it, so I did not have to go into an office, and the fees were all transparent and up front so I knew exactly what I would be charged.

The website was personable so I could identify who I was talking to, and the responses from my accountant have been professional and helpful and friendly.

I find Pandle easy to use and built it into my working week every Monday morning to keep it up to date with all the transactions from the week before.

Have we helped you overcome any challenges, and if so, how?

I am very appreciative of the completion of my Tax Return at the end of each year.

I am confident to keep my own ongoing logs and receipts methodically throughout the year, but have no idea how this translates for HMRC purposes.

When I first thought about setting up my own business I had an irrational fear that the Tax Office would chase me with demands for something I had no idea that I owed, but with The Accountancy Partnership I have complete trust that my affairs are in order and find it interesting when I sign off the form to see what all the different values mean.

What do you have planned for your business in the future?

I will continue with my online tutoring as usual and write more novels.

 
Learn more about our online accounting services for businesses just like Diane’s. Call 020 3355 4047 or get an instant online quote.