Finance required for accountancy and graphic design firm.....

[tkessex]

First I think I should introduce myself.

I'm 23 years of age and graduated last summer with a first class degree in Accounting and Mathematics. I began working as an accountant at a local public practice in September 2006 and decided to leave my position earlier this month to start my own business. I have excellent, self-taught knowledge of a variety of software packages, a strong work ethic and desire to succeed, and can claim high level literacy, numeracy and communication skills.

I first discussed my business plan with a couple of friends of mine who, when their circumstances allow, will be joining forces with me to aid in the firms expansion. The basic idea is to establish an accountancy and graphic design firm, offering everything from bookkeeping and VAT returns to corporate identity and web design, whilst simultaenously implementing a network of 'interest sites'. The sites will be used to generate contained traffic - in the process increasing their value exponentially - and form a steady and constant revenue stream.

Within eighteen months we aim to start another two businesses to run alongside the aforementioned firm, one aimed at university students and another designed for artists, architects and unsigned musicians (amongst others). Within three to five years we expect to have developed the 'foundation company' into one which offers a full compliment of business services - finance, corporate management, law, marketing, business systems etc.

To fund the purchase of the necessary hardware, software and content for the interest sites, a sum of £10,000 is required. I would welcome interest from anyone who wishes to make a sound, low-risk investment with the condition that I/we have the option of buying you out after a period of twelve months. The repayment amount would be double that invested (so £20,000 in this case) or, should this not be suitable for us, you would retain a 25% share in the company until such time as an agreement was reached.

Please feel free to PM me with any questions etc.

Thank you for your time.

[peterjhale]

Hi and welcome.

That's an interesting business idea. I don't want to appear too negative but the two elements don't seem to fit together - accounting and design.

I wouldn't ask my accountant to design me a logo nor a design agency to provide accounting support. These are 2 completely different disciplines (creativity and number crunching) and are run by folks who are motivated by different things.

Maybe it will catch on but it'd be worth talking with some of your perspective customers first to see what they think...

In the meantime why not email me your business plan to have a look over ? peter [at] this domain name

[tkessex]

Whilst I understand your general point, Peter, it's not really a case of an accountant doing the designing, and a designer doing the accounting, as projects will be allocated according to type and need. I have been creating websites and graphics for a number of years, if only to a small scale and am lucky in that I have been sufficiently educated in accounting practises (I am also currently studying toward ACCA accreditation). For more complex graphics jobs, I have people in place who can be sub-contracted as they have completed degrees in appropriate disciplines.

My research shows that the two fit extremely well together as they form two essential functions for almost all businesses, but are not inherently reliant upon each other (clients are by no means limited to business or individuals that way). The idea is to play to my strengths, and those of the people I will be working with and establish a solid foundation for a company offering an all-round business solution.

The network of 'interest sites', for which I have sourced up-and-coming freelance writers as well as a published author (who is very excited by one of the projects), is a brilliant way to generate a constant revenue stream through advertising and offers the business group a great deal of security in the future. Modest predictions will have the websites valued at £28,000 after the first year, rising to anything up to 6 times that after 2-3 years.

[peterjhale]

Well I guess you must have researched it well - but if my accountant said "hey, my staff can do your corporate branding for you" I wouldn't bite - the 2 just don't fit (but please prove me wrong )

BUT - if you are offering all services that a small business/ business needs - well, that's a different strategy...

[tkessex]

There was a time when Mars bars and batter wouldn't have been contemplated as a combination...and look how that worked out!

Graphic design and corporate branding aren't limited to logos and flyers, including as they do marketing and promotion, advertising and websites. If one company can collate your figures at the end of the year, advise on how best to market your business (more effectively done using recent sales trends and profits as a guide) and produce the required material, it's difficult to see where the problem is.

And it's not merely a case of telling an accounts client that we can re-brand their company, the business offers a wide range of services to a wide range of (potential) clients and so maximises earning potential. Work is completed to a high standard by an 'appropriate person' and should the customer be interested in our other services then all the better - this brings in the option of discounts etc. for retaining and attracting trade.

As things stand I have completed promotional material for the Co-op, designed websites for a horseracing partnership and DJ duo, and collated fund accounts for a number of schools in my area. I'm currently negotiating a contract worth around £10,000 with a newly established consultancy firm, though should discussions prove successful payment will be made at the 6 month project deadline.