wellbalanced

Wellbalanced.  Bookkeeping and beyond. 
Wellbalanced provides a straight talking, no-nonsense bookkeeping service.  And we'll also come and help out in your business on an interim basis if you have bigger problems to sort.  Sometimes the best ideas are the simple ones.

Bookkeeper. Business Owner. All round good egg.

Greggs

Retail Finance Manager for Greggs South East Region
Business Partnering Retail Operations teams to identify opportunities and monitor performance for c.400 shops.
Weekly analysis and reporting in a dynamic and fast flowing environment.
Financial appraisal of capital projects including new shop openings and refurbishment projects. 
CODA Finance and Oracle BI reporting.

Retail Finance Manager - South East Region

Les Mills UK (LMUK)

ETM Level 2 and LesMills BODYPUMP, BODYCOMBAT and SH'BAM instructor.

Group Fitness Instructor

GI Energy

Process and reporting improvements
Project accounting and forecasting

Project Accountant (Interim)

ISS Facility Services UK

Business Partnerting Operational Managers and Directors to ensure Financial control and accurate and timely P&L reporting for ISS' Food Manufacturing Contracts.
Forecasting and Budgeting for these contracts, as well as variance analysis and reporting.  
Contract responsibilities include Heinz, Nestle, Kraft, Rexam and Tulip.
Responsibility for Balance Sheet control and reconciliation, Fixed Assets additions and disposals.
Member of ISS Lean Six Sigma Green Belt project team

Management Accountant - Food Manufacturing Contracts

Business Partnerting Operational Managers and Directors to ensure Financial control and accurate and timely P&L reporting for ISS' Key and Major contracts.
Forecasting and Budgeting for these contracts, as well as variance analysis and reporting.  
Development of reports using Open Accounts Finance System.
Contract responsibilities include BAE Systems, Sky, NIA, LG Arena, Birmingham Airport, Molson Coors, WWRD, Northampton CC.
Responsibility for Balance Sheet control and reconciliation, Bank reconciliation, Fixed Assets additions and disposals,

Management Accountant - Key and Major Contracts

Soleco UK

Weekly production variance reporting using Cognos Reporting system and Microsoft Dynamix.
New product costing.

Group Business Performance Analyst (Interim)

Key national role for Greggs linking Finance, Production and IT to develop and refine reporting systems. Improving quality of financial and control data from Greggs Manufacturing System for interface with CODA Finance.

Supply Systems Finance Analyst

Responsibility for managing the Finance function for Greggs Birmingham Bakery,
Participation in senior management meetings and Business Partnering Supply Team.
Management of eight direct reports, including Payroll, Finance admin and Reception teams.
Budgeting, Forecasting, P&L Reporting, P11Ds, CODA and AS400 finance systems

Bakery Accountant

Management of Finance Admin team (six direct reports) including Cash Control, Purchase Ledger, Production Variance Analysis and Reception teams.
Responsible for weekly P&L reporting, Intercompany billing and reconciliation, Inventory control and variance analysis, product costings.
Implementation, training and maintenance of Greggs Manufacturing System.

Accounts Supervisor

Vopak

Purchase Ledger, Sales Ledger, Credit Control, Fixed Assets, Cash Book.
JD Edwards Finance system

Accounts Assistant

Relationships are all about balance, and if there’s two things I'm awesome at, it’s building relationships and making numbers behave. 

Think about that Blackadder sketch, where he is trying to teach Baldrick how to add up beans...

Blackadder: “2 beans and 2 beans make how many beans?” 🫘

Baldrick: “A small casserole”🍲

Now, casserole is not my thing, but I can balance your books and move those beans around so you can relax.  

Let’s have a little look at the relationship side, shall we?

ME: Bookkeeper, red head, 21 (ahem), WLTM small business owner with no time to do their own bookkeeping, for long term relationship.  Likes singing, playing guitar, Excel spreadsheets, Lego, and long walks as far away from the beach as possible (sand... 🤮).

YOU: passionate about your business but with a hatred/phobia of doing your own numbers and no clue how to balance those pesky books.  You may have a few staff too, and they hate it as well.  No matter how you do it and how many columns you make, you just cannot get those accounts to tally.

It takes you hours, and you resent every second of it, because it takes you away from your business... you know, the thing you do to MAKE money in the first place!

Bring in Jelly Bean Jen! 🫘

Spreadsheets, tallying up, sorting it all out, wading through receipts.... I do ALL of that for you. Just give me the books, and I will sort, tally and balance.

You will love it (and me!), and I will be as happy as a jellybean Queen in a pile of jellybeans!

Ooh look... there's the message button... push it. go on. Say hi!

Look out for your 40-something year old female friends.

Because menopause is a b!tch.

Along with periods, menopause is one of those things we feel we should suffer in silence about.

But it's a wild ride. It makes you feel like you're losing your mind and unless you realise it's your hormones, you can believe it's true. 

So I feel like we need to talk about our experiences, just in case it helps someone else recognise what's going on!

I heard it described recently as like going through puberty again. You remember that? Your moods running high and low. Your skin breaking out all the time. Your energy levels are all over the place.

Kinda makes sense.

The worst symptom for me was the rage. Like an all consuming anger. I almost felt trapped inside. A small part of me knew that nobody has done anything to make me feel so angry. But a larger part of me was in control of what I said and did and it was stronger.

The anger would flip to sorrow so quickly. I'd get mad and then instantly feel sad and regretful for how awful I was, and so the sadness took over.

And repeat.

There were some mild hot flashes (I say mild, they were still horrible), inability to lose weight, no energy (tired but wired).

Oh and the brain fog. That's fun. Mid sentence, one cheeky little word just fvcks off into the distance, never to be seen again. Usually a really ordinary, obvious word. 

"Are you gonna walk or take the... the... you know.... the.... the thing... with wheels... big metal thing we go everywhere in..." *throws something in frustration

So yes, I'm taking hormone supplements. I couldn't live like that any more. But the dose is mild and the decline is rapid so it needs to be reassessed regularly.

I just hope that someone has read this and thought "I'm not losing my mind"! Or has recognised it in their partner and can start to help, support and understand a bit more.

Have you hit puberty #2 yet? What were/are your experiences? 

#Menopause #WomenInBusiness #Accountant



Jennie Holyoake

✅ Are you a little ‘mad?’
✅ Are you seen as the quirky one?
✅ Have you been trading for 5 years or more? 

If you’re nodding your head, then I’d like to talk to you. 

I don’t hide the fact that I love working with the unicorns, the disruptors, the interesting people, the non-norms…

And I’d love to help you use your numbers to take the next steps in your business. 

If you’re looking for a management accountant who loves numbers and loves having random conversations in between the work stuff…then let’s talk! 

Normal is overrated anyway.🤪

#Business #BusinessOwners #wellbalancedUK

Linkedin: What do you want to talk about?

Me: It's Friday. I'm tired. How's that?

Linekdin: Hmm, not very professional. How about you say something corporate and generic so people know you're a serious business person.

Me: But I'm not. I mean, I've got a business and I definitely do that properly (after almost 9 years I must be doing ok) but there ain't nothing serious about it.

Linkedin: Ok. Maybe post a selfie or a motivational quote? 

Me: I refer you to my first comment. Ain't nobody wanna see what I look like right now. I'm not really a motivational quote kinda gal.

Linkedin: Maybe a story of how you've struggled with adversity and overcome it and how the little people can learn from your amazingness now that you're running a six figure business. # Hustle

Me: Srsly? 

Linkedin: Well if you don't want my help, you can just do whatever you like.  Just don't say Fvck or Bvgger. 

Me: Erm... how's this? 😬


#FridayFeeling #LinkedIn #Motivational

It's been a funny week. 

A new client signed off on a proposal 🎉🎉
An existing client told me they were selling the biz 😢
My ex threw me a curve ball 😩
I've made some awesome new connections on here ❤️
I've been approached with two exciting new opportunities 🤩
My son has signed up to my newsletter and was giggling at the last couple of emails #ParentGoals 😂 He wants to be involved with making gifs for me. 😍
My daughter and I got some "mommy time" and we've got a big list of things to do together 💜
We got outside and saw the bluebells in the woods near our house 🪻
The sunshine 🌞

So yeah... it's been up and down, but the best thing is that I've had a lovely week with my kids.

Sometimes it's stressful being a parent. Other times there's such an amazing, deep connection with small humans who look a bit like you that it makes you forget all the crap bits for a while. ❤️❤️

Looking forward to a lie in tomorrow! 

How's your week been?  What was your highlight?

#FridayFeeling #BusinessOwner

Running a business is really f*cking hard.

Even after nine years there are days (weeks!) when I just think I'll give up and get a "real" job.

And then I bring myself back to my reason why, dust myself off, and start making the changes I need to get things back on track again.

If there was any one trait I'd say you need to run a business, it's resilience.

Don't get me wrong, I certainly wouldn't say I'm good at dealing with setbacks or change.

I have tantrums. I sulk. I throw my toys out of the pram. I swear at my computer screen. I call inanimate objects rude names.

But somehow I always keep going. 🤷‍♀️

I don't have any magic to help you do that. You either do it or you don't.

But if you're having one of those days today, just know that it's not you.  The world is a tough place at the moment and you absolutely can smash this. God knows, if I can survive this long, anyone can!

Talking to other biz owners helps. Whether that's networking, peer groups or just ranting on a Linkedin post (ahem!), it helps to know you're not on your own.

What advice would you give to another biz owner who's having one of those days?

#BusinessOwner #Resilience #WorkHard


Nothing to see here... just a couple of mature, serious business owners playing video games.

#Hustle #BankHoliday #Downtime

Matt Lines 

They can put baby clothes on their expenses, but you can’t.

This is why it’s important for a management accountant to understand everything about your business. 

It’s why it’s important to work with someone who wants to know everything about what you do. 

One of those reasons? Is understanding why you are putting that oddly specific item on your expenses. 

For example, I have a client who is a photographer, I know what she does, and the services she offers- which include baby shoots. For her, putting children’s clothes, toys, and beanbags on her expenses makes sense. 

However, if she was a carpenter trying to put that stuff through on expenses…it would flag up.🚩

So, you kind of want to work with someone who understands what your business does.

Which is why it’s important to find the right management accountant. (AKA Me!)😁

Do you have any oddly specific expenses that would probably confuse people?

#Expenses #ManagementAccountant #BusinessOwners #wellbalancedUK

I'm looking for someone new. ❤

Not like that... Matt Lines is everything I need in that department. 😍

I'm looking for new connections.

Can you help? 

I want my network to be full of awesome people.  

The geeks who are forging their own path in their own way.

The biz owners who are shaking up their industry.

The entrepreneurs who know they're going to change the world.

The weird, quirky, disruptive, driven trendsetters who ooze passion from every pore.

So now you have the brief... who should I be following? 

#Connections #Networking #BusinessOwner


Layers and accessories for springtime in Britain: 

Umbrella ☔ 
Winter coat 🧥 
Sunglasses 😎 

WTF is going on today? 🤷‍♀️😂

#Weather #Spring #Accountant





Do you know what a management accountant is?🤔

We’re not your financial accountant or bookkeeper, we’re another layer in your business. 

We’re the premium add-on service. 

You don’t need us when you’re just starting out, but when you’re ready to grow, we’re the ones you want to talk to. 

We are your partner-in-numbers.   
We’re here to help you focus on the future success of your business. 

So how can we do this?

We use the numbers to help you understand what’s happened in the past, and how your decisions will shape your future. And then we make a plan to help you get there.

That's it, in a brief nutshell.🥜

But if you’d like to find out how we can use your numbers to grow your business, then all you need to do is get in touch.🤓

#Business #Growth #Success #wellbalancedUK

This is what happens when an accountant attempts to do their own branding. 😂😂

I was so proud of this when I started out. 🤷‍♀️

Now I cringe to think that this went onto hundreds of business cards. I was networking regularly at the time so lots of people saw it as well. 😬

When you're starting out, you wear all the hats. Even if it means putting out a logo like this one. 

Then as you grow, you start to outsource and let the specialists do their thing. 

What are the things you really should have outsourced earlier in your business? 

Are you brave enough to share your DIY design fails? 

#Branding #LogoDesign #BusinessOwner

It doesn’t work for ostriches, so why would it work for you? 

Can anyone honestly say that burying their head in the sand has ever actually worked?👀

Because sooner or later, you’re going to have to come up for air. 

And all that time spent hiding from the problem, has now developed into a HUGE problem. 

Oh and fun fact:

Ostriches don’t bury their head in the sand when they’re scared or frightened, they dig holes in the sand to serve as nests for their eggs. Using their beak several times a day to turn the eggs.😀

See! Even ostriches know burying their heads out of fear won’t work.

Be more ostrich.😎 

#BeMoreOstrich #BusinessGrowth #wellbalancedUK

I talk about management accountants a lot!

But do you know what we actually do? 

Because I’ve been thinking. 

Should I start writing more LinkedIn posts about what Management Accountants do, along with what we don’t do?

Would you be interested in reading those posts (before I start writing them when no one wants them) 🤣

So, would you like to see more content about what management accountants do and don’t do? 

And if you have any questions, please pop them in the comments!🤓

#ManagementAccountant #LinkedIn #wellbalancedUK

Serious question. 

How much do you know about management accounting?

What do you wish you knew? 

Genuinely interested to hear what you think.

Basically:

Help me with ideas for my LinkedIn content so I can promote my services better.🤣

#LinkedIn #ManagementAccounting #wellbalancedUK

Things People Misunderstand About Management Accounting 

"I’ve been running my business for 5 years, what do I need to do next?”

Woah, calm down.

How about we look at where you are right now and see how you got here. 

Sometimes we need to look back to see where we’re going, or how we even got here in the first place. 

So, before we look forwards, let’s look into the past and present of your business.

🤓 What’s gone well?
🤓 What hasn’t gone so well?
🤓 Are there any changes we could make that could have a massive impact?

And that’s the beauty of working with a management accountant, we help analyse, forecast, budget and measure performance in your business. 

So, do you know where you’re going, or are you walking around blindly and hoping not to bump your head?

#ManagementAccountant #Business #BusinessOwners #wellbalancedUK

It takes trust to let someone into your business.

And after several years of working with my clients and building that trust, I get the more in-depth questions. 

Because we’ve built that trust, now we can dig deeper together. 

“I’m having this problem…” 
“If I do this, how will it affect my numbers?” 

It’s having these close relationships with my clients that’s made me realise that sometimes more is needed. 

And that ‘something more’ is management accounting. 

If you’re looking for more to help in the growth of your business, let’s talk. 

I’m here for the long run. I want to build a close relationship with you, and I want to be by your side as your business grows.

All you need to do is reach out. 🤓 

#ManagementAccounting #BusinessBoost #wellbalancedUK

Sometimes enough, just isn’t enough.

I spoke to a potential new client recently who already had their bookkeeping covered.

Everything was fine.  

Things were up to date.

Deadlines were being hit.

But there was just something missing.

The current team ticked all the boxes but they didn’t do anything else.  And this client needed more.

They needed more control over what their business was actually doing.
They needed more information to help them decide what to do next.
They needed more communication so that they understood what was going on.

Sometimes just doing ok isn’t ok.

They came to me because I can offer them more than just bookkeeping. 

We can keep things neat and tidy and compliant (yawn!) but we can also add that extra level that a lot of people can’t (or don’t!) offer.  

Because of the eight years spent running a bookkeeping practice, plus the twenty something (ahem) years experience of providing useful information to senior management in big businesses, I’m perfectly placed to be that person.

So now they’re going to get regular information about the things that are important to them. 

As well as all the other things being ticked off.

Have you ever changed supplier because ok was no longer good enough?

#GrowingBusiness #MovingOnUp #Accountant


Too many people are paying for a standard service. 

What’s the point in that?🤷‍♀️

When all you’re getting is a standard report, something you could have run yourself. 

Or a service that isn’t even tailored to you and your needs. 

We all know the one size fits all doesn’t work, so if you’re working with a management accountant who isn’t providing you with the help you actually need- maybe it’s time to find someone new to work with. 

...Just saying!🤓

#ManagementAccountant #Business #wellbalancedUK

Do you understand your business numbers? 

Please tell me you aren’t just putting your numbers onto a spreadsheet and then forgetting about them…because your numbers actually matter.

And here's why:

🟣 Every decision in business, big or small, shows up in your numbers. When you understand what that looks like, you can make better decisions backed by actual data, rather than relying on gut feelings or guesswork.

🟡 Numbers tell stories. They reveal trends and patterns that can shape your plans and help drive your business toward growth. 

🟠 Your business's financial health is its lifeline. Understanding your numbers lets you keep control, so you know your plans are on track and you stay focussed 

🟢 One size does not fit all, especially when it comes to management accounts. By understanding how your decisions show up in your numbers, you can tailor your management accounts to focus on the numbers that truly matter. 

🔴 When you really know your numbers, you can maximise opportunities and reduce risks. 

Be honest, are you making the most of your numbers? Or have they become hidden in some random dusty folder?🗃️

#BusinessInsights #FinancialStrategy #wellbalancedUK

Business B0llocks!

That's one way to describe what I do! 😂

That's what happens when you try and explain your business a creative mind like Christian Routley... "so you do all the running the business b0llocks"

The question is... am I brave enough to plaster that on my website? Watch this space... 👀 

#Website #Branding #ManagementAccounts

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