LJM Bookkeeping Ltd

How I got into bookkeeping. As a teenager I was diagnosed with ME. I knew I would be unable to work full time and employment would be difficult. I got myself a part time job as a practice manager in a health clinic and as part of that I did some bookkeeping. I've always been a numbers person and was very academic, studying advanced maths and bio-chesmistry at A-level. As part of my employment I got friendly with the accountant who told me I should look into becoming a qualified bookkeeper. I was in the process of relocating to be with my now husband. I was moving to a new area, where I didn't know anyone and I didn't drive then. Becoming a virtual bookkeeper suited me down to the ground. I set up my practice working from home and I've never looked back!

Last year I was the first UK bookkeeper to win small firm of the year. This was a massive accomplishment for me to win such a sort after award, especially as a Sole Practitioner, bookkeeper. It was that point in time when I realised that Bookkeepers' are no longer looked at as role which isn't as superior to that of an accountant. It's through my achievements over the past 3 years that has given me the confidence to help those who are looking for more support than just bookkeeping. ACE-XL is about supporting growing businesses to implement the right software so that their businesses run seamlessly along side their growth. You can find out more about our ACE-XL advisory services here: https://lnkd.in/e9Tiquxe

Is your business turning over £250k+? Is it your ambition to become a multi-million pound business? Understanding your finances is key to business growth and success. At ACE-XL we support clients with their journey of scalability, ensuring that they have the right software and processes in place. We go further than just looking at your accounting software as we believe that your processes should be streamlined across the board. We leverage automations and integrations so your business becomes much more productive and efficient, allowing room to for sustainable growth. Are you ready to take your business to another level?

I’m proud to be known in my industry as the go to bookkeeper when it comes to having a tech savvy approach. I truly believe that leveraging software to suit the requirements of your business is crucial in this landscape where technology is progressing rapidly. We shouldn’t be afraid of automation, nor should we rely on it for everything we do. It’s about creating a balance where you don’t lose the human centric approach to business but you use software and automation to your advantage in order to become more efficient in order to grow and scale. In today's fast-paced digital world, technology isn't just a tool—it's a game-changer. For businesses looking to scale, adopting a tech-savvy approach is no longer optional; it's essential. Here's why embracing technology can be the key to unlocking your business's full potential. https://lnkd.in/ezR-fCTN

It takes true confidence in your business to say no to tasks that don't align with your expertise. By focusing on what you excel at, you not only enhance your own capabilities but also ensure your clients receive the highest quality services. That’s why at LJM Bookkeeping we focus on the Bookkeeping and avoid payroll and tax. We have contacts that we know who specialise in these areas and we’d much prefer to put you in touch with them so you’re getting access to the best knowledge and experience. Don’t be afraid to say no to the tasks you don’t enjoy in your business. If Bookkeeping is one of them, be sure to have a chat to find out how we can take away the stress of your finances.

It’s funny, I get more nervous speaking in front of 20 ladies at golf than a room full at a conference. Have you ever done any public speaking? Any tips?

We’re not big reality TV people but enjoy guessing at the Masked Singer. We got Snail in Week 2 - but we did have a head start as we saw her live in November, with Panda (the winner from a few years ago) as her supporting act. I’m really struggling with the others - any ideas?

After a busy January we are a bit late in posting this but better late than never. Here is our monthly round-up for January. I was invited along to dinner with ApprovalMax in London, which was really nice. Although everyone was surprised to see that I wasn't head to toe in purple! I joined Philippa Hayes and Mark Lee on their podcast: Accountants Success Secrets. We had a really interesting conversation about how putting the right systems in place is about looking at the business as a whole & joining the dots. The house renovations still continue but we're getting their slowly but surely. It's been quite stressful with organising workmen and choosing kitchens, bathrooms and paint but it will be worth it in the end! It was also my golf club's AGM with a change of chairman & having to deliver my treasurer reports with the ladies.

Every business owner gets to that point in time where it’s time to take the next steps to grow but you don’t know where to begin and you feel stuck. Whilst it’s really important to understand your financial position and know your business numbers, what’s imperative is that you are open minded and have a growth mindset. Without this you will hold yourself back. That’s why at ACE-XL we support clients who are ready to take those next steps. Business owners who know they need to make changes in their businesses for the better. You can’t scale your business by continuing to do what you’ve always done. It may work for a while but you’ll soon hit a brick wall and have no way of getting past it without making changes. Read our latest blog to find out more. https://lnkd.in/en-NB-Br #newblog #growth #businessgrowth #businessmindset #businesssuccess

I come across many business owners who are so passionate to take their businesses to the next level but they're so overworked and overwhelmed with doing the work that they just don't know where to begin when it comes to scaling. They don't believe they can take on more clients in order to get their business where it needs to be as they feel like they're at capacity already. They are stuck in a rut! But listen to this, with the right support behind you, things can change in your business. Scaling your business can't happen over night but with the right strategy and plan you can become so much more productive, giving you that vital time back to invest in your business. If you're ready to make those changes in your business for the better then let's have a 15min chat. You can book in with me here: https://lnkd.in/eSc6Th6W