Why commercial photographer Sophie Skipper recommends using Oscar Fairchild
Sophie Skipper founded her photographic business – Sophie Skipper Photography – back in February 2016 and was soon making her mark. Named Colbea Young Business of the Year 2017, selected from thousands of UK businesses to be a 2018 Small Business 100, and with glowing reviews from an ever-expanding client base of brands across the UK.
But she didn’t want to stop there – she wanted to continue to grow. Sophie needed an accountant capable of helping her create a strong foundation for this growth.
“Back at the start I began working with a local accountant, but service was slow and unresponsive. As the pace of my business growth accelerated, I knew I needed to switch and began looking for an accountancy & bookkeeping firm that would be more available to me, more engaged with my business and my need for reliable, responsive communication.”
Sophie switched to Oscar Fairchild in October 2018. As a confident Xero client, her business now benefits from our specialist Creative Industry accountancy support, including Annual (Statutory) Accounts service, VAT Return filing, and outsourced payroll management.
“The biggest difference I noticed immediately was the regular and jargon-free communication. I like to be able to ask a multitude of questions, and Oscar Fairchild make this possible. Not only that, I no longer worry about sounding silly or inexperienced as they are always reassuringly non-judgemental and happy to help me become more informed and knowledgeable.”
The Colchester studio that is home to Sophie Skipper Photography now boasts a team of three, with a fourth employee set to start any day now. All part of Sophie’s ambition to energise and modernise the commercial photographic industry; providing medium sized firms across the UK with graphics, photography and video to meet their ever-growing content marketing requirements.
“Like most freelancers who go into business I initially operated as a sole trader for the sake of simplicity. Then, in February 2016, Oscar Fairchild suggested that the time may be right to consider progressing to limited company status, and becoming VAT registered. Over the course of two helpful face to face meetings at Oscar Fairchild’s Billericay office we discussed the pros and cons of incorporating. Kim and Imtiaz explained that there is no demarcation line at which a limited company becomes a necessity and enabled me to make my decision based on the future plans I have for my business. I felt informed about changes to the structure of my accounts, tax liabilities, employability and the room incorporation gave me for growth.
Once I’d made my decision Oscar Fairchild incorporated Sophie Skipper Photography, and VAT registered the business, in one smooth process.
With one annual return now under my belt I’m impressed with the systemized process Oscar Fairchild follows. Not only can I be confident that my firm’s financial records are accurate at the end of the financial year, but I’m also able to hand over annual return submission free of deadline-dread.
The transition has been seamless, with Kim, Imtiaz, Anne and the team always on hand providing continuous, professional support.
Before it was such a headache. Now I have complete confidence. It’s the continuous, professional support and sound advice I need to grow my business”
Sophie Skipper
Managing Director
Sophie Skipper Photography Ltd.
Discover more about the support we provide to creative, media and marketing agencies – and uncover how you can better monitor project performance and increase agency profitability here >>
