Recent research by Totaljobs reveals that nearly two out of five people stay late at work due to a culture of ‘presenteeism’ encouraged by bosses. Accountants, IT workers, human resources staff and teachers were among those most likely to work late, according to a poll of 1,000 staff and 250 employers. The website found one in three employers looked unfavourably on staff who left work on time. Younger staff were most likely to feel pressure to work late, with three out of five workers aged 18 to 34 worrying their boss or colleagues may think they were shirking if they left on time.
If you’re working late every evening, dreaming of a way out of the daily treadmill, then franchising could offer you the opportunity you have been looking for, to be your own boss and manage your own time.
TaxAssist Accountants has grown to become the largest and most successful franchised accountancy network in the UK, with franchisees seeing the potential of establishing a practice servicing small business and the benefits of operating under the TaxAssist brand with the additional support provided all in one place.
Cheryl Hopkins joined TaxAssist Accountants in July 2009, after the birth of her first child made her realise she needed to escape the corporate rat race and work for herself.
After nine years, she has built up her practice to over 300 clients from her two shop front premises, has a team of six staff and has given birth to her second child.
“Before I became a TaxAssist Accountants franchisee, I was a senior accountant in a manufacturing company in Leicester” said Cheryl.
"Returning to work after maternity leave, I realised it was very difficult juggling home and work life with the pressures of working overtime and monthly deadlines, and I just thought no, I need to work for myself to have more flexibility and freedom.
"I now work closer to home, I open the shops 9-5, I very rarely have to work overtime, I don’t work weekends and it’s just so much easier to juggle home, school and work life. I’m having so much more time now with my family. Taking on this franchise has just worked for me.”
While running a TaxAssist franchise is very much a full-time business opportunity in the early days as the business grows, mature franchisees employ accountants and practice managers allowing the franchisee to take a step back and concentrate on working ‘on’ the business rather than ‘in’ it. Many also choose eventually to work part time.
If Cheryl’s story has inspired you, please give us a call on 0800 0188297 to find out more. Our Franchise Recruitment Manager Nikki Haythorne is looking forward to hearing from you.
May 2018
