Welcome to Accounting Steps! I’m Gareth Salomon, accountant and founder of Xenon Connect (software that automatically detects bookkeeping errors – faster) and today I’m excited to share a conversation I had while walking around Manchester on the eve of Accountex Summit with Libby Walklett, also known as 'The Ethical Bookkeeper'.

In this episode, we talk about how Libby got started in bookkeeping. We also discuss the challenges of working in both industry and practice, her passion for amateur dramatics, accounting exhibitions, dealing with stress and work/life balance and even how baking cakes has become part of her unique approach to connecting with others.

More details:
The Ethical Bookkeeper Website: https://www.theethicalbookkeeper.co.uk/
Libby Walklett LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/libby-walklett-ba-hons-fmaat-aatqb-91954a98/
Xenon Connect Website: https://www.xenonconnect.com/
Gareth Salomon LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/garethsalomon/

Hello, and welcome to the very first episode of Accounting Steps! I’m Gareth Salomon, coming to you from Wrexham, North Wales. I’ve been in the accounting world since 2003—working with businesses large and small, helping them navigate the numbers. Nowadays, I’m the founder of Xenon Connect, a software company that helps accountants and bookkeepers automatically detect bookkeeping errors - faster. And in this podcast, I’ll be combining two of my favourite things: walking and having meaningful conversations with people in the industry.

Accounting Steps is all about taking you on a journey—quite literally. In each episode, I’ll be walking with a guest from the accounting or bookkeeping world, getting their thoughts on topics that matter most to us as professionals. Whether you’re just starting out in bookkeeping, an experienced accountant, or someone just curious about what we actually do, this podcast will have something for you.

We’ll cover everything from the daily challenges we face balancing client expectations, tax deadlines, and, of course, making sense of the latest software innovations. It’s not all number-crunching, though. We’ll also dive into personal stories, industry trends, and even some tips for staying sane in the midst of it all.

So, lace up your walking shoes, join me as we hit the pavement, path, field or beach, and together we’ll explore the steps of accounting—from the practical to the personal.

Thanks for listening, and I hope you enjoy taking these steps with me.