Career adds up to a real triumph

FINALIST . . . Yvonne Cookson

WHEN Yvonne Cookson's husband left her just three months after they moved to a new area, she became the breadwinner for her two young daughters.

But that proved the catalyst for a successful accountancy career which saw her go on to open Mossley Tax Shop.

Now Yvonne has been named as a finalist in the Financial Services' category of the annual Enterprise Vision Awards, which recognises women in business from across the North-West.

"It's amazing," said the 45-year-old, originally from Gateshead.

"I have worked really hard to get to this point and I feel that all the dedication has paid off."

Yvonne's husband left shortly after the family moved to Ashton. She said: "I had two very young daughters and I needed to become the breadwinner in the family.

Dream
"I had no family down here and no friends. I went to college and said 'What can I do for a living?' and they said 'accountancy'. I enrolled the same day and I have never looked back."

Yvonne worked for Mossley firm Lewis and Co for 12 years after her course at Tameside College. Following a stint working from home, she opened Mossley Tax Shop in Lees Road in 2011 and said: "I met my business parter on the first day of college. It was our dream to work together and open an accountancy practice with a difference."

That dream was completed when business partner Fiona Heyes ­- her friend from college ­- joined the firmthree years later.

Mossley Tax Shop aims to get away from the stereotypical image of an accountant, simplifying the confusing technical jargon to provide a friendly service which is easy for clients to understand.

"We are very different. It's all about looking after the client ­- that's really why we are so successful. We are very laid-back, very approachable, not stereotypical accountants at all and our marketing is very different," said Yvonne

"We have a 98 per cent client retention rate, which is phenomenal in the accountancy industry, so we must be doing something right."

Until recently, the staff was also all-female and Yvonne added: "We were probably one of only a few all-female practices in the country and it's been a real unique selling point.

"It was a natural thing that happened, we never planned it, and it really appealed to people. I think people trust women more than they do men and accountancy is all about building relationships and trust."

The Enterprise Vision Awards take place at the Empress Ballroom, Blackpool, on September 23.