A WOMAN from Gargrave who has just set up her own book-keeping business is enjoying her work so much she has got rid of her television set!

Fifty-two-year-old Tracey Crewdson has started her TML Book-keeping Services practice, based in Gargrave, after completing courses at specialist e-learning college Ideal Schools.

The mother-of-two decided she needed to go into business for herself at the beginning of last year, after working as a project manager for various local and national charities for more than 20 years.

She said: "I was trying to work out what I could do, and I thought, ‘well, I can add up!’ So I looked into book-keeping, thinking it would be easy for me, since I had the HND in Business and Finance. But it was a lot harder, and more regulated, than I expected.

"I found the work fantastic, and really enjoyed the puzzle nature of it. When I’d been at college, I struggled with the material, but this time round it was a pleasure.

"I even got rid of my TV after a while. I was having more fun doing the assignments than I was watching the box!"

Among the charities Tracey worked before her career change were Age UK in North Yorkshire, Craven Voluntary Action and Parkinson's UK.

She currently has 12 clients on her books and is hoping to go full-time if the current upward trajectory of the business continues.

Skipton bookkeeping business off to a grand start thanks to Ideal Schools

A Skipton woman has started up her own book-keeping business after completing courses at a specialist UK-wide e-learning college focusing exclusively on bookkeeping and accounting. TML Accounting Services is based in Skipton and is taking on small business clients in the local area.

Tracey Crewdson, 52, from Skipton in North Yorkshire, has more than 27 years experience in business and has supported the marketing and finances of various charities over the past 20 years. Due to the fixed contract nature of charity work, the 2008 recession and its aftermath saw less funding, shorter contracts, and harder times which the sector is still struggling to shake off.

In January 2016, Tracey decided to go into business for herself. Said: “I was trying to work out what I could do, and I thought, ‘well, I can add up!’ So I looked into bookkeeping, thinking it would be easy for me, since I had the HND in Business and Finance, but it was a lot harder, and more regulated, than I expected.

“When I was trying to decide between the Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT) or the Institute of Certified Bookkeepers (ICB), I came across Ideal Schools, and really admired the clarity of its website. I got in contact, and they were quick to get back to me, no pressure selling, and very good value for money.”

Tracey joined with 2000 other students studying with long-established Ideal Schools, and, by October 2016, was fully qualified and licensed, and opened her own practice, TML Accounting Services. She already has 12 clients, despite the practice only being part time.

Tracey said: “I found the work fantastic, and really enjoyed the puzzle nature of it. When I’d been at college, I struggled with the material, but this time round, it was a pleasure. I even got rid of my TV after a while. I was having more fun doing the assignments than I was watching the box.

“The Self Assessment add-on was a great offering from Ideal Schools, and self assessments have been a big part of my business so far. I’m growing slowly, organically, and I want to go full time next year.”