My name is Derek Brooker and I have been a qualified Chartered Accountant (FCA) for over 40 years. I have just retired as a Finance Director at Microsoft, having joined a small Company called Data Connection Ltd in 1983 as the Company Accountant (I was the whole Accounts team back then!). I helped grow the Company from 30 employees to 950 employees, during which time we changed the name to Metaswitch Networks, grew the Finance team to 20 people, completed a private equity investment and then a sale to Microsoft!
I have extensive experience in the financial aspects of growing a business, setting up and running accounting systems, employing and managing finance staff. I also have plenty of experience in advising and helping people on how to complete their personal tax returns online.
I want to help individuals, whether employed or self employed to take the worry out of doing their self-assessment tax returns online. I can also advise small businesses on how to grow and how to make sure they have proper accounting systems in the back office.
In addition, in April 2023, HMRC are introducing the system of MTD (Making Tax Digital), which will affect lots of small businesses, landlords and self-employed people. I can guide you on how to handle this new requirement.