With a scientific degree from a prestigious French university and more than 20 years spent in the financial industry working for global banks in Paris, New York, Tokyo and Hong Kong, in 2010, Franck Sidon decided to strike out on his own.
Fifteen years later, his TaxAssist Accountants practice in West London has grown from a standing start to a mature, stable business that now supports a diverse portfolio of owner‑managed companies and private clients.
Why did you go down the franchise route, and why did you choose the TaxAssist Accountants franchise?
Starting a new business is a risky endeavour. Using the franchise model reduces that risk significantly and allows you to focus on your core business. Among the limited options available in the tax‑compliance sector, TaxAssist Accountants was – and remains – the most established brand with the most mature support structure.
What did you do before taking up the franchise?
I spent two decades in the financial sector in roles ranging from trading to finance, operations and technology. That breadth of experience prepared me well for running an accounting practice, but I wanted the proven systems and marketing power that a franchise brings.
How has the business evolved over the last 15 years?
In the first decade we consistently achieved double‑digit annual revenue growth. Over the last couple of years that two‑digit growth has naturally tapered as the firm has matured; today the focus is on quality, profitability and deeper advisory relationships rather than sheer volume.
Your son joined the practice in 2019 – what difference has that made?
Michael joined the practice in 2019 after building an early career in investment banking and marketing. He quickly worked through the ATT and, in 2024, completed the Chartered Tax Adviser (CTA) qualification. Bringing a fresh perspective on tech‑enabled workflows and complex tax planning, he has already become the go‑to contact for many of our newer clients. The plan is for him to take over the practice completely once I retire in the next couple of years – although he hasn’t quite fired me yet!
What training and support did you receive, both initially and on an ongoing basis?
My accounting knowledge was solid, but I had little experience with the often‑informal processes found in small businesses. TaxAssist’s initial training course, combined with structured CPD and a dedicated franchise support manager, bridged that gap. The Support Centre tax, practice‑management and marketing teams remain invaluable sounding boards 15 years on.
What does a typical day look like for you now?
These days I split my time between high‑level advisory meetings, mentoring our team, and gradually transferring operational responsibilities to Michael. I still enjoy meeting prospective clients, but I’m increasingly focused on strategic planning and succession.
What marketing tools do you use to grow the practice?
Brand‑level marketing from head office is still invaluable. Locally, our bilingual blog (French and English) continues to generate enquiries, and word‑of‑mouth referrals – driven by consistent service quality – remain our single biggest source of new business.
What differentiates your franchise from the competition?
My French background helped us carve out a niche within London’s French‑speaking community; around half our clients still come from that demographic, and all of our staff are bilingual. Today, our competitive edge is a blend of cultural empathy, deep tax expertise and the scalable systems the franchise provides.
In your opinion, what makes a successful franchisee?
Follow the model. There are many paths to success, but when you buy into a franchise you’re paying for a proven blueprint – use it. Once the fundamentals are in place you can still be creative and develop a niche, but do so within the framework.
What advice would you give to someone thinking of buying their first franchise?
Leverage the franchisor’s experience and don’t reinvent the wheel. If you follow the rules, embrace the support, and focus on service quality, you will succeed. And think early about succession – having Michael in place means our clients and staff can look forward to continuity long after I retire.
