Author Biography

Born and raised in Nottingham, UK, Lisa Newton moved to London to study Accounting with Marketing at Middlesex University. Graduating with a first class honours degree, she went on to do a MSc in Investment Management at City University. In the same month of the Masters graduation ceremony at City, Lisa formed her first company – Boogles with £150. Her mum put in £50, and Lisa used £100 of her overdraft. Boogles primarily began as a bookkeeping service to small, busy individuals, charities and companies. Lisa now sits on the boards for numerous companies in various industries. She helps people to start their own bookkeeping business and to find work as bookkeepers and for businesses to find a bookkeeper. She runs bookkeeping training courses for those who are getting into bookkeeping as a career and for those SMEs and self employed individuals who need to know how to do their own books. and A strong supporter of women in business and entrepreneurial people, Lisa is a former Ambassador for Enterprise UK, the national campaign to give people in the UK confidence, skills and ambition to be enterprising to have ideas and make them happen.

Question & Answers with the Author

Having ran sessions with the readers, here’s a selection of some of the most Frequently Asked Questions:

1. What inspired you to write the book?

I just wanted to share my experience and horror stories with people thinking of taking this up as a career path. So much has happened that I always used to think, ‘thats one for the book’ and then it got to the point, I had the book.

2. Aren’t you adding competition to the market?

Maybe, but there’s plenty of room for everyone.

3. What’s the best thing about starting your own bookkeeping business?

Flexible hours and working with some great people.

4. What’s the worst thing about starting your own bookkeeping business?

Variable pay and working with some terrible people who have no intention of paying you. They just want to take, rob, steal.

5. In the book you talk about contracts. Why is this important?

Cold hard past experience has taught me that the difference between the right contract and the wrong contract can literally be worth thousands.

6. What would you have done differently at start up?

I would have had contracts in place. And I would have made sure I got paid! Preferably asked for more up front cash deposits, and accepted all forms of payment – especially credit cards!

7. Where do most people go wrong?

They get into a situation whereby they’re owed money and they’ve got little / no chance of getting it. This can happen once or twice, but continuously, and a large amount – is enough to go under.

8. How would you describe your writing style?

Chatty, no-nonsense and almost like a voice in your head.

9. What advice would you give start ups?

Go for it. Be ready for hard work and have a plan.

10. Would you call yourself a bookkeeper?

Yes and no. Yes, as a job function, but no, because it’s not really what I do any more. I’m an entrepreneur, author, and I run a bookkeeping business.  You have to separate yourself from the job function if you are going to grow it. What you start off doing, isn’t what you end up doing.

Lisa has written money columns, been on TV and radio. She is a former member of the ICB (Institute of Certified Bookkeepers), and a former Member in Practice of the AAT (Association of Accounting Technicians). She supports the charity The MS Society. And has won various awards including 2007 Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award and 2008 Enterprising Business Award. In 2011 her business Boogles Ltd was shortlisted by the Bookkeeper Network (BKN) for Best Accounting Franchisor award and to the final 5 out of 14500 for the Lucas Award – Best Bookkeeping Practice. In October 2012 and 2013  Boogles won ‘Best Accounting Franchisor’ award.

An avid net-worker, Lisa enjoys helping people to save money and manage money. She enjoys meeting people and working on projects with like-minded individuals. She is a Finance Director for various enterprises across different industries including software, events management, food retail and hair & beauty.