About

About Karen Upcraft and The Winchester Bookkeeping Company

The Winchester Bookkeeping Company offers group workshops, one-to-one programmes and an outsourced tax and bookkeeping service throughout Hampshire for people who want to be spending time in their zone of genius rather than figuring out how they can hang on to more of their hard-earned income. I help people setting up, running or growing their small business to get their systems sorted, understand the numbers and make and manage their money proactively, profitably and in a legally compliant way.

My mission

So many small business owners struggle to grow sustainable businesses either because they’re intimidated by numbers, overwhelmed with paperwork or they don’t have a clear picture of how their business is really performing.

I want to live in a world where people who’ve had the courage and vision to set up a business are supported to make it work.

How it all began

After having children myself, it saddened me to watch so many talented solopreneurs struggle to make their kitchen table start-ups work – either because they lacked confidence with the numbers or they simply didn’t have the bandwidth to keep on top of the admin.

The accountancy industry was very supportive in fulfilling clients’ statutory obligations but I began to notice how it distanced these ‘Mumpreneurs’ with jargon and charged rates that these boutique businesses could ill afford.

I wanted to create a safe space for these small business owners where there’s no such thing as a stupid question. Where there’s no shame in keeping receipts in your sock draw. Where mountains of paperwork and form-filling resentment is the norm. And where an accountant is seen as approachable, accessible and fun!

And so, The Winchester Bookkeeping Company was born.

Before that …

I’ve had a colourful journey into self-employment. And if you’re reading this I have a hunch you can relate. The Winchester Bookkeeping Company came about only after a period of enormous frustration and disappointment. Had my intense training been for nothing? Was all my experience of no value post-children?

Before making the leap and deciding to become my own boss, I spent successive years in the voluntary sector preparing tax and accounts for individuals, charities and “not for profit” organisations. Before that I spent 6 years as an Accountant with FST plc. And before that I qualified as a Chartered Accountant with PWC – gaining exposure as an auditor to a wide variety of clients and a range of sectors. I really know my stuff.

But enough about me. I’d love to know more about you. If you’re ready to be in touch, tell me your story. Otherwise, feel free to find out more about how I can help you first.

Cut-and-paste Bio

Running a guest post from me or an interview with me? Feel free to cut and paste this bio:

Karen Upcraft wants to live in a world where people who’ve had the courage and vision to choose self-employment are supported to make it work. As a Chartered Accountant, Karen helps Hampshire’s self-employed to set up, run and grow their small businesses in ways that are manageable, affordable and help them keep more of their hard-earned income.

When she’s not doing the books for other people, or empowering small business owners to do their own, you’ll find Karen on the tennis court or taxiing her 4 children around Winchester.

To discover how to spend more time running your business and less energy worrying about the paperwork and the taxman, visit Karen’s online home over at https://winchesterbookkeeping.co.uk

Professional Standards

The Winchester Bookkeeping Company Limited is authorised and regulated by the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) to provide Bookkeeping and Accountancy services in public practice. Practice Licence number: 7914490