Welcome back to Accounting Steps! I’m Gareth Salomon, accountant and founder of Xenon Connect (software that automatically detects bookkeeping errors – faster) and in this episode, I walked through Waterloo, Lambeth and Westminster in London with Lara Manton, a forward-thinking bookkeeper and early adopter of accounting technology.

Lara shared her insights on running a successful bookkeeping business, from outsourcing tasks and setting profitable pricing to building a tech stack that works. We also explored her passion for testing new software and how bookkeepers can play a bigger role in shaping the tools they use every day.

If you’re interested in crafting a great client experience, this conversation is packed with practical takeaways and fresh perspectives.

More details:
LJM Bookkeeping: https://www.ljmbookkeeping.com/
Lara Manton LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lara-manton-c-micb-ab051032/
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) and in this episode, I had the pleasure of walking along part of the south coast of Wales to Cardiff Bay with Tim English—after a quick game of snooker at Penarth Snooker Club.

Tim’s journey is fascinating, moving from competing as a professional snooker player to eventually running his own accountancy practice, and beyond. We talk about how his Welsh roots, life as a dad, and lessons learned at the snooker table have all influenced his approach to business. From the challenges of starting his own firm to thoughts on AI in accounting, this conversation is full of insights and personal stories you won’t want to miss.

More details:
The Accountants' Table Website: https://www.inspiringbusinessgrowth.co.uk/the-accountants-table
Tim English LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/timenglish-ibg/
Xenon Connect Website: https://www.xenonconnect.com/
Gareth Salomon LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/garethsalomon/

Welcome to Accounting Steps! I’m Gareth Salomon, accountant and founder of Xenon Connect (software that automatically detects bookkeeping errors – faster) and today I’m excited to share a conversation I had while walking around Manchester on the eve of Accountex Summit with Libby Walklett, also known as 'The Ethical Bookkeeper'.

In this episode, we talk about how Libby got started in bookkeeping. We also discuss the challenges of working in both industry and practice, her passion for amateur dramatics, accounting exhibitions, dealing with stress and work/life balance and even how baking cakes has become part of her unique approach to connecting with others.

More details:
The Ethical Bookkeeper Website: https://www.theethicalbookkeeper.co.uk/
Libby Walklett LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/libby-walklett-ba-hons-fmaat-aatqb-91954a98/
Xenon Connect Website: https://www.xenonconnect.com/
Gareth Salomon LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/garethsalomon/

Hello, and welcome to the very first episode of Accounting Steps! I’m Gareth Salomon, coming to you from Wrexham, North Wales. I’ve been in the accounting world since 2003—working with businesses large and small, helping them navigate the numbers. Nowadays, I’m the founder of Xenon Connect, a software company that helps accountants and bookkeepers automatically detect bookkeeping errors - faster. And in this podcast, I’ll be combining two of my favourite things: walking and having meaningful conversations with people in the industry.

Accounting Steps is all about taking you on a journey—quite literally. In each episode, I’ll be walking with a guest from the accounting or bookkeeping world, getting their thoughts on topics that matter most to us as professionals. Whether you’re just starting out in bookkeeping, an experienced accountant, or someone just curious about what we actually do, this podcast will have something for you.

We’ll cover everything from the daily challenges we face balancing client expectations, tax deadlines, and, of course, making sense of the latest software innovations. It’s not all number-crunching, though. We’ll also dive into personal stories, industry trends, and even some tips for staying sane in the midst of it all.

So, lace up your walking shoes, join me as we hit the pavement, path, field or beach, and together we’ll explore the steps of accounting—from the practical to the personal.

Thanks for listening, and I hope you enjoy taking these steps with me.