Our Bean Counter Opens Up
Allow me to introduce Sue Bangay, Sue is our finance guru and she is most likely to be the person you’ll speak to on the subject of invoicing…. ahhhhh!! (theatrical scream)
Sue doesn’t have to suffer us every day of the week but we love it when she’s here, even if she drinks peppermint tea and doesn’t eat chocolate!
Anyway, I wanted to introduce our lovely Sue to you so that next time you speak to her you feel like you know her a little better.
I managed to grab a few minutes with Sue last week and we had a brief natter….
Me: Can you tell our readers what your job involves at Slightly Different?
Sue: providing the accounting and relevant administrative support to the company – in simple terms issuing invoices, collecting money, paying staff (should that have come first?!), provide management accounts to the directors to assist in the business decision making process and most importantly supply top ups to the biscuit tin together with my share of the washing up and tea/coffee making when I’m in.
Me: As much as I’m loathed to say it, and biscuits aside, what do you enjoy most about your job?
Sue: sad person that I am I like working with money and figures, thinking logically, routine and systems.
Me: Well we think you’re very good at what you do Sue! With the last few years being particularly financially tough for most businesses, what advice would you give to any of our clients and readers when it comes to dealing with prioritising invoices when the cash flow is more like a dribble than a flow?
Sue: I’d definitely encourage good and regular communication – it’s good to talk!
Me: good advice that!, ok, so this year see’ s the first year that businesses are being forced to complete their VAT returns online, what do you think about this change?
Sue: VAT online – for businesses newly registering for VAT irrespective of turnover and those registered businesses with turnover of £100k or more. Over the past 4 years we have seen the phasing in of PAYE online although there was a financial incentive to encourage more businesses to undertake this prior to it being made compulsory. My cynical response HMRC are reducing their worked load in passing these tasks over, practically they are not so onerous the HMRC website supplies the form to fill in (saves on ink!) , avoids delays in the postal system (reduces potential for late filing charges), making the payment electronically gives additional days in which to pay, more eco-friendly though.
Me: Now then.. Rumor has it that you pretty hot stuff on the dance floor, tell me more!!…
Sue: Love my dancing, I took up Salsa 2 years ago and following the latin theme I have now started Argentine Tango very exciting and expressive. An opportunity arose last year to assist a Modern Jive Club in setting up, being a fusion of Salsa and Jive. It was a challenge to adapt as initially I learnt to lead, however this has taught me how to be a better “follower”. Being an avid watcher of Strictly Come Dancing, when I was asked to partner a friend for Ballroom lessons there was no stopping me – I’m now learning Waltz, Cha Cha, Rumba and Quick Step – bring it on!.
Me: And no-one puts Sue in a corner….
Our Hot stuff latin head of finance can be contacted on 01326 372416, the best days to catch her in the office are Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays but you can drop her an email if you prefer, sue@slightlydifferent.co.uk
