A CAREER setback can often have a silver lining – as Solihull accountant Elaine Walker can testify.
She had worked as a service provider for Government agencies including the Forensic Science Service for 13 years and then switched to accountancy temping after being made redundant.
But with a young daughter to care for, the situation was far from ideal so Elaine decided to take the plunge and launch her own business from her home in Kingshurst, Solihull.
She opened E Walker Accountancy Ltd trading as EW Book-Keeping and Accountancy in October 2013 and has now been nominated as our Solihull Observer and Marriott Forest of Arden Six of the Best Business Person for April
“I started with a single client which was quite daunting at the time but gradually the business grew thanks to client recommendations and some marketing and after two years I was beginning to be swamped by paperwork and realised I needed an office,” said Elaine.
She moved into the Solihull Enterprise Centre, employed an assistant and later started taking on additional help via the local job centre.
That was over three years ago and today her firm provides bookkeeping and accountancy services for around 40 local companies.
“I guess if the Forensic Science Service had not closed, I might still be there now and a golden opportunity would have been missed,” said Elaine.
On the personal front she is an active member of her local church, enjoys singing in the choir and taking part in fund raising events.
Elaine is also a keen supporter of the Race for Life and is now hoping to get involved with a community project.
