A go-ahead bookkeeping firm run by a well-known driving instructor has been shortlisted for a top award.
Drive Ahead Bookkeeping, which has tripled its turnover in a year, is shortlisted by the Institute of Certified Bookkeepers for the “Small Bookkeeping Practice of the Year” accolade.
Director Dave Shannon qualified as a bookkeeper during lockdown, starting up the Stoke-on-Trent business in 2020 to run in tandem with his Drive Ahead School of Motoring.
He took the plunge in May 2022 to deliver his last ever driving lesson and run the bookkeeping enterprise full time.
Cheadle-born Dave continues to lead the successful driving instructor business in an executive role with several instructors in the Stoke-on-Trent and Newcastle-under-Lyme areas.
Such has been the speed of Drive Ahead Bookkeeping’s growth (projected turnover this year is £120,000) that he has been joined by his wife Becky, a former special educational needs practitioner, as a Director in a full-time administration post as well as by two other staff.
Dave, 43, said: “The bookkeeping and accounting knowledge I have built up over 17 years as a driving instructor has made my move into the bookkeeping profession that much easier, and has given me an insight into what’s needed to run a successful business.
“It’s great to be shortlisted for an award by the bookkeeping governing body – I think the reason we have been shortlisted is the approach we take with our clients.
“Rather than just a bookkeeper who reconciles the transactions and ticks the boxes, we actively work with them to help them understand their accounts and look for opportunities for growth.
“Our long-term goal is to continue to grow our team so that we can have multiple staff members that understand each and every business.
“I want us to be the go-to place for SMEs in Stoke-on-Trent and the surrounding areas for their bookkeeping needs.”
In another life, Dave was known in the late 90s on the music circuit as a member of Tin Pan Alley, who had songs such as 70s Night and Alistair Brown. They were even supported by The Coral (later well-known on the indie scene).
