On leaving school, I joined the accountancy firm H W Fisher & Co. At the time it was a four-partner firm, but has since grown into a top-ten practice, with thirty partners and over two hundred staff. I received an excellent grounding in the accountancy profession, which set me up well for the future.

On the expiry of my five years Articles (Training Contract nowadays), I left Fishers and went into industry. I had six extremely happy years working as an accountant for, first, Youngs Seafoods, and then Alltransport, a very successful transport firm.

I grew up in Stanmore, Middlesex, one of two children living in a typical, loving, middle-class family. We moved to Kenton when I was eighteen, where I lived until I got married to Tricia in 1971.
We celebrated our Ruby Wedding two years ago. We have two children who have both carved out excellent careers for themselves. I attended Harrow County Boys School from 1957-1963, obtaining five O levels and two A Levels. This was sufficient in those days for me to take up the profession of my choice.

In 1983, I decided to branch out on my own, and set up my own practice, Stuart Joseph & Co, and have been a sole practitioner ever since. I soon realised that there was a market for accountants who were happy to look after the affairs of smaller businesses and individuals.
At that time there were relatively few “small” accountants, and clients had no option but to sign up with larger firms and pay their appropriate fees.

I am still a sole practitioner, but share offices with a larger firm, having access to all their facilities and expertise where necessary. I specialise (naturally!) in the completion of tax returns for individuals, partnerships and small limited companies. I prepare accounts to a high standard for these same organisations. I offer bookkeeping services, VAT returns completion, payroll services, business start-ups and advice.

I am extremely friendly and approachable, offering a totally personal service. You will always speak to me and only me. I am based in West Hampstead, but am happy to visit clients at any time if required. I believe my fees are extremely competitive. To paraphrase the late Benny Hill, “I charge popular prices, well I like them!” I am sure you will too.

And please bear in mind, being a small firm I am not registered for VAT myself, so any client also not registered will save the additional 20% straight away. An initial consultation is always free when your needs can be discussed fully.

In 2004 I purchased The Income Tax Return Service, and decided to keep that name, which I felt was catchy and left no doubt as to what service I could offer!

I was able to increase my fee base by recommendation and by acquiring other practices. I bought one in 1986 and a number of those clients are still with me today.

I left them in 1976 (a) because they re-located to the other side of London and (b) because I wanted to obtain my qualification and thought it better to return to the profession. I joined a newly formed partnership, Simon, Spenser & Co, and was able to qualify as a Chartered Accountant in 1977.