Sarah Crookall
Staff Reporter
Fall is not typically a time when taxes weigh heavy on one’s mind. However, a newly-opened Barry’s Bay accounting and tax firm say business is still booming.
“When it comes to finding business—it has come to us,” says Laura Stevens, office manager, bookkeeper, and payroll professional of Valley Accounting & Tax.
On Aug. 1, Stevens opened Valley Accounting & Tax with her business partner, tax and law professional, Nicholas McLeod.
Stevens is the Jill-of-all-trades and McLeod is the walking encyclopedia joke the pair about their skills. The business partners met at Our Lady Seat of Wisdom College in the finance department where they discovered they shared complimentary skills and values.
“When we were working together we noticed that we were in sync with a lot of ideals,” says Stevenson. “And we had, sort of, some good communication. I’d like to do the stuff that Nich didn’t like to do and Nich liked to do the stuff that I didn’t like to do.”
Since opening two months ago, the business partners say they’ve had more business than they know what to do with. McLeod attributes the boon to a lack of business professionals in the Madawaska Valley, as well as long-standing professionals retiring.
“There’s a severe lack of professionals in the area, so there was definitely a gap to be filled,” says McLeod.
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