UK: Kam & Sejal Sira

Kam & Sejal Sira launched their TaxAssist Accountants franchise in

"A recession can be a good time to start a business - we haven't looked back! We have no hesitation in recommending the franchise and enjoy talking about our business journey and TaxAssist's central role in our success.”

"Have we had challenges? Of course we have," said Sejal.

"One of our most difficult challenges for the business is achieving a work life balance, particularly with Kam and I working together. Technology has made is even easier to receive client emails and much more difficult to really switch off. During the first few years, it was all about the business, even on family holidays we were logging on to work. Once we took on staff, it became much easier as we learnt the power of delegation. Now we have established boundaries between home and work and are confident in taking quality time away from the business.

"Another challenge was deciding to open another franchise in a whole new area. We were very comfortable with a profitable business and were not sure we wanted to start from scratch again! This was also a big financial commitment. The support centre helped us plan the expansion, secure funding and recruit staff. Furthermore, they listened to our concerns and gave us the confidence that we needed.

"At the onset of Covid-19, being a part of TaxAssist Accountants proved invaluable, and allowed us to quickly and efficiently communicate with and assist our clients. We were able to do this because of the TaxAssist Support Centre updates, webinars and newsletters. As franchisees, we felt supported, in control and confident that we had the tools and the knowledge to advise our clients. We were busier than ever and this kind of goodwill gesture means we’re more likely to keep clients."

In fact, so successful has the franchise been, that in July 2022, Sejal won a Great British Franchisee Award.

"I was extremely honoured and proud to have received this important award," said Sejal. "I feel my success is largely because we have such dedicated and value driven support from our franchisor and my outstanding team, who share my goals and vision and help me build my business daily.

"Having witnessed my parents running several successful businesses – from newsagents to pubs and hotels – I know the value of hard work and the importance of customer experience and having a great team around you to support you. Therefore, I’m extremely proud that our dedication to customer satisfaction, the local community, staff development and incentivisation has been recognised in this way."

Sejal’s response to the pandemic did not go unnoticed by the TaxAssist Support Centre. 

“We bounce off the energy that Sejal brings to our franchise,” said James Mattam, Group Business Development Director at TaxAssist Accountants.

“While most of our network will do well by following our franchise model and applying hard work and dedication in their local area, Sejal has developed ways to engage with clients and her team on a personal level which helps them all join in on the journey with her.

“Her client acquisition skills have delivered strong sales growth within her practices and we’ve always worked closely with Sejal to show our other franchisees how they can follow suit."

Further success has followed in 2023, with Kam and Sejal's practice shortlisted for SME Accountancy Firm of the Year at the British Business Awards. 

The judges who were looking for an accountancy firm that has gone above and beyond to support small and medium-sized business to the highest degree.

Criteria for the award included organisational growth and development over the last two years, examples of a diverse customer portfolio, customer testimonials and evidence of challenges faced and overcome by the company and with clients.  

Sejal said: “We’re thrilled that our practice has made it to the shortlist. It’s a huge honour and validation of the hard work myself and my husband, plus our outstanding team have put in to grow the practice to where it is today, with the strong presence and great reputation we’ve established in the local community as go-to trusted partners. Our primary objective is always to ensure the success and satisfaction of our clients and we strive to go beyond their expectations and deliver exceptional accounting services.

“Alongside this, we strongly believe in fostering a positive work environment for our staff that promotes well-being. We recognise that our team is central to our success too as without them, we cannot possibly hope to grow and scale our business further. The incentives and the human care aspects that we provide to our staff has aided staff retention and we have a happy, and motivated team which also benefits our clients.

“We’re all very excited for the future of the practice and being recognised in this way is great validation of the way we have operated our business.”

Kam and Sejal now have shops in Barnet and Watford and an office in Borehamwood. They look after over 900 clients and have ambitious plans to reach a £1,000,000 turnover within five years.