Stephen Smith is passionate about helping small businesses.
“I love working with clients, helping them to run their business more efficiently, maximising their profits – and making sure they pay the minimum tax possible,” he says.
Now he’s taking that to the next level.
Stephen has teamed up with YorkMix to help more people and businesses with their money. We’re delighted to welcome him on board as our resident financial expert.
Each month he’ll be here answering your questions and giving advice on everything from sourcing grants, benefits and finance, maximising your profits, to starting a business and to reducing your tax bills.
High pressure times
Stephen runs TaxAssist Accountants York. For years it’s been helping York businesses big and small to do more and make more.
His clients range from sole traders to businesses with a multi-million-pound turnover.
Stephen has worked in accountancy and finance since graduating in 1991, including at global firm BDO Stoy Hayward in London.
Like the rest of us, though, nothing prepared him for the hammer blow that 2020 delivered to so many businesses.
Contact Stephen
TaxAssist Accountants York
63-65 Heworth Road, Heworth, York, YO31 0AA
01904 414411
“It’s been totally flat out since the pandemic,” he says. “We have been putting in long hours to make sure that our clients gained the maximum amount of support that was available from both the council and the government grants.
“Within that you’ve had the self-employment grants, the job retention scheme, plus specific grants from City of York Council.
“We provided a lot of advice to our clients, through emails, phone and video calls, because the criteria has been ever changing.”
TaxAssist York also handled all the payroll changes brought about by putting staff into furlough, and advised clients on how to secure the bounce back loans.
“For quite a lot of businesses it’s been highly pressured in terms of changes to work patterns, and revenue has been reduced. We provide a lot of support to those clients, helping them to minimise costs and access all of the benefits they are entitled to.”
Engaging with people
Stephen and his partner Ann moved to York in 2003, attracted by the city’s beauty and friendly vibe.
As a keen walker and cyclist, its location close to the dales, moors and coast was another advantage. They have both worked in senior professional roles helping clients in the financial and legal fields.
He loves working with businesses, developing long-term relationships in a shared aim to boost their profits and reduce their costs.
And now he is embarking on a new relationship – with YorkMix and our readers.
“I’m looking forward to engaging with more people. Whether it’s helping them with queries over upcoming company or personal tax returns and accounts, expanding a business, or sourcing financing, I want to help them in whatever way I can.”
Got a question for Stephen? Send it in via the comments below, through Facebook or Twitter, or email it to [email protected]