From redundancy to TaxAssist Accountants
Nick Brook
Just five months after being made redundant from his well-paid finance job, Nick Brook joined TaxAssist Accountants moving straight to shop front premises in Huddersfield.
When I was told that I was going to be made redundant from my job as a Finance Manager it came as a big shock. I knew my redundancy package would not last for very long so I was keen to be earning money again. Within three months of losing my job I was running my own TaxAssist Accountants business.
I really wanted to look for another job in a similar field to the role I held previously. I found out I was going to be made redundant the week before the Spring Bank Holiday in 2006 and I spent that Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday ringing finance companies to se if there were any jobs available. There was nothing at my level. On the Wednesday I bought a copy of The Franchise Magazine read it from cover to cover whilst making a list of all of the white-collar franchises available. TaxAssist Accountants was one of three franchises that appealed to me and I phoned each one, requesting information. The next day I received an information pack from TaxAssist Accountants through the post. I was impressed with the company’s track record and professionalism so that Friday I booked to go on a discovery day. I am a very decisive person, so while I had time to think on a one-week holiday in May, I decided to go for it and buy a TaxAssist Accountants franchise. By July 06 I was on the five week training course provided by TaxAssist Accountants and at the beginning of August I was ready to launch my franchise. TaxAssist Accountants was very supportive throughout the process. As well as paying for the franchise through my redundancy package I also borrowed some money from the bank.
Just two months after joining I opened my shop front in Huddersfield and my business has thrived ever since. At my year end in August 09 I am expecting to reach a turnover of £150,000. Despite the recession my business is going from strength to strength and I have currently got one full time and two part time members of staff working for me. Within three years I want to grow to a turnover of £300,000 and I may look into opening a second shop front. I am so impressed with the way my business is growing that I have recently extended my franchise agreement to 2016.
One of the main attractions to me joining TaxAssist Accountants was the strength of the brand, which has been growing over the last 13 years. When I launched my business it was great to know that it was based on a tried and tested model which if followed correctly would not fail. It was good knowing that in the years since TaxAssist Accountants was established it had achieved consistent growth. Furthermore, the support that I have continuously received from the TaxAssist Accountants Support Centre in addition to the leads that have been generated for me, have underlined the fact that my franchise fee is money well spent and is being re-invested to assist in the success of my business. As I did not come from an accountancy background I have found the technical helpline, which is manned by very skilled people, invaluable in assisting me in the running of my business. I also receive ongoing visits from members of the Support Centre to help my business progress and the annual conference also provides good support.
