Welcome back to Accounting Steps! I’m Gareth Salomon, accountant and founder of Xenon Connect (software that automatically detects bookkeeping errors – faster). In this episode I took a walk through the picturesque Royal Botanic Garden in Edinburgh with Stu McEwan, Staff Product Manager at FreeAgent.

In true Scottish style, there was a bit of wind and rain along the way, but that didn’t stop us from having a great conversation. Stu shared his journey from studying business management and psychology, to joining FreeAgent back in 2016. We talked about his early days working in the Support team, through product management, and into what his current role looks like today.

We also discussed the challenges and opportunities ahead with Making Tax Digital for Income Tax, how FreeAgent approaches product development, and what is next for the software.

FreeAgent: https://www.freeagent.com/

Stu McEwan LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stuartmcewan/

Xenon Connect: https://www.xenonconnect.com/

Gareth Salomon LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/garethsalomon/

Welcome back to Accounting Steps! I’m Gareth Salomon, accountant and founder of Xenon Connect (software that automatically detects bookkeeping errors – faster). In this episode, I had the pleasure of walking a bit closer to home, through Grosvenor Park in Chester with Beth Ruscoe, founder of Nara Accountancy.

Beth’s journey into accountancy is anything but traditional - starting in fashion marketing and retail buying before retraining via AAT and ACCA. We talked about what inspired her career change, the transferable skills she’s brought with her, and the early experiences that shaped her path. Now running her own firm, Beth shared insights on serving clients ahead of Making Tax Digital for Income Tax, how she’s building her brand, and the real challenges—and rewards—of going it alone.

Nara Accountancy: https://www.naraaccountancy.com/

Beth Ruscoe LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bethruscoe

Xenon Connect Website: https://www.xenonconnect.com/

Gareth Salomon LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/garethsalomon/

Welcome back to Accounting Steps! I’m Gareth Salomon, accountant and founder of Xenon Connect (software that automatically detects bookkeeping errors - faster). In this episode, I took a walk through Regent’s Park in London with Katie Collin, Partner at Ramsay Brown - an accountancy firm specialising in the medical profession.

Katie’s path into accountancy was interesting, including time spent in the music industry before training as an auditor and eventually joining Ramsay Brown in 2017. We chatted about the unique financial challenges faced by GPs, what it means to specialise in the healthcare sector, and Katie’s role with the ICAEW, as vice chair of the Healthcare Advisory Group.

It’s a prime example of the deeper role that accountants can play in supporting clients.

Ramsay Brown: https://ramsaybrown.com/

Katie Collin LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katie-collin/

Xenon Connect Website: https://www.xenonconnect.com/

Gareth Salomon LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/garethsalomon/