We want to highlight the fantastic array of small businesses we have on our doorsteps. In this feature we ask an FSB member some key questions about their business journey and involvement with FSB. In this feature we hear from cloud based accountancy firm, Sllick and the co-founders Robert Davidson (Glasgow) and Nicole Christie (Aberdeenshire).
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Tell us about your business.
We at Sllick are a highly qualified team of chartered accountants, Xero certified specialists and technology experts. We help move businesses to the cloud accounting platform Xero, finding the best industry-specific applications and extensions to automate your financial processes. From moving your old accounting system data to Xero, to training and support with the platform, we want to help businesses truly understand Xero and make the most of it!
We also have a Virtual Finance Team who specialise in outsourcing your finances and managing your accounts month-on-month. The Virtual Finance Team takes care of any accounting needs from bookkeeping and VAT returns, all the way up to year-end accounts and corporation tax.
Our co-founders, Robert Davidson and Nicole Christie launched Sllick at the cusp of the pandemic in November 2019 and have managed to help dozens of businesses cut costs, digitalise and survive the economic turmoil of the last year. We also want to encourage small- and medium-sized businesses to move their financial systems to the cloud in order to completely eliminate the necessity of paperwork in their accounting.
According to Restore, the average office worker uses 10,000 sheets of paper each year, 6,800 of which go to waste.
Nicole and Robert created Sllick not only to further the use of technology in the typically outdated profession of accounting, but to help businesses grow in terms of profit, productivity and sustainability. Any time that is not spent on inputting data into Excel or writing cheques, is time that can be used to develop your business.
Read more about Xero conversion and our Virtual Finance Team here!
What’s the best things about working for yourself?
The best thing about working for ourselves is probably the flexibility to work around our life (rather than life revolving around work) and then being able to give others the same opportunity. We always try our best to understand businesses from the ground up to truly help them save time, money and resources. Whether they want to turn that extra time and money towards their personal lives or reinvest it in the business, it gives them more control over their own journey.
What piece of advice would you give to someone who wants to start their own business?
There are risks involved and it's a lot of work. Maybe do some testing first to ensure there is a demand and that you're able to deliver, but if you are determined and have a 'I'm going to make it work no matter what’ mentality, then it can be really rewarding.
How has your FSB membership helped you?
We have used the Legal Hub a few times and the service has been excellent each time. The person we spoke to has always been knowledgeable and thorough with their advice and support. We also regularly attend networking events right across the UK in Scotland, Wales and England. It’s an incredible service that allows us to meet business owners across the country. It’s one of those positive outcomes of the pandemic that just make life and business easier – no need to worry about driving, preparing marketing materials or wearing trousers.
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