When most people hear the word accountant it is often followed by a glazed look and a stifled yawn. But for Caterham residents Lynda Parkes and Lisa Swan, who are accountants themselves, the idea of setting up a new, local, and friendly accountancy business was anything but dull.

Lynda and Lisa met through their children's local school. Lisa said: "We found that between us we were already carrying out a fair amount of accounting work for family and friends and it just got us thinking.... let's go for it and make it into a business!"

Parkes and Swan was set up at the beginning of the year with the aim of offering a straight-talking but professional accounting service to local businesses and tax returns for individuals.

Lynda said: "We are both qualified accountants with heaps of professional experience between us. It's just us doing the work so every client deals directly with Lisa or me. Accounting is not rocket science but it needs an attentive mind. We attend to the records and tax returns while our clients concentrate on their business."

When this duo started out they were confident about their accounting abilities but setting up a business was something new. Lisa added: "We have learned a lot along the way. Writing our own business plan, setting up our website, creating our advertising strategy and learning how to promote the business through Google were just some of the challenges that we have had to overcome. We will never have to say "what if", because we went ahead and did it!"

To find out more about Parkes & Swan Accounting Services call on 01883 340375, or visit www.parkesandswan.co.uk