My JOURNEY

I believe the world of finance should feel less drab and corporate, more approachable and friendly, but... I do come with a wealth of experience...

I'm not just throwing numbers around and hoping for the best 😉, as an ICAEW Chartered Accountant (the Gold Standard), Fractional CFO and Finance Coach, I've got a track record of transforming visions into profitable realities, across a range of industries and from Start Ups (raising the big buck!) to SMEs and International Groups, I've been a trusted advisor, consultant and CFO. I've been in the trenches, helping creative and tech startups blossom, from crafting growth plans to building finance functions that can go the distance, and even securing that golden funding ticket, I've got the hands-on experience to prove it.

I also have an academic background, with a First Class Degree and Distinction in my Masters in Business Strategy and Change Management, along with academic journal publications and speaking engagement accolades. And I have experience leading finance transformation and technical international accounting, having run projects for Fortune 500 companies and private equity-backed groups including integrating acquired businesses into international multinationals. With certifications in Prince 2, Lean Six Sigma, and Agile, I bring both financial and operational knowledge to the small business stage.

After a stint in the corporate world, I've circled back to my roots (and my real passion!) working with mission-led founders to make a lasting impact. I've got a soft spot for helping creative and neurodivergent founders navigate the financial maze and build ventures that are not just profitable but downright fabulous and perfectly aligned to their dreams, lifestyles and impact goals.

That's why I've made it my mission to help business owners grow money-confident and positively thrive with their finances!

On the coaching and mentoring side, I am a Member of the Association of Business Mentors and I have attained my ILM Level 7 in Executive Coaching & Mentoring.

I belief in a holistic approach so I  recently became a Trauma of Money™ Certified Practitioner bringing a more trauma-informed approach into talking about money, a highly emotive topic, and to help heal our collective money trauma.

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For the part about why on Earth I got into accountancy, scroll down a bit...

Also, a surprising insight I suppose is I have never had any interest in maths... In fact it still surprises me, that I am a Chartered Accountant. 

As it was only when I was a student and taking an interest in entrepreneurship that I discovered an interesting link that accounting could be useful. Seriously who knew?

I was so taken with the idea of entrepreneurship at that point, I founded a student enterprise society, took part in a student version of the Apprentice, and got involved in all kinds of grass-roots small business and not for profit networking and initiatives (and started doing consulting and extra internships and research alongside studies). Oh and ask me about the time I spontaneously pitched to the Vice Chancellor for money to build a radical new global student movement,  if we're ever talking about pitching for finance because that was an interesting endeavour!

Anyway it was at this time that I discovered finance wasn't just some boring school necessity with no real point to it. (I actually quite vocally felt most of my prior education was pointless until I found and loved my degree course.)

Until I realised that could use finance skills to help some amazing, creative founders and business owners to innovate, build their dreams and scale ventures that created positive world-changing impact. Suddenly it seemed worth the effort of the Chartered Accountancy route to pursue this and help more! 

I got through the intensity of the exams by immersing myself in really interesting finance work on the more creative, purposeful, forward-looking aspects of accounting and finance, by partnering with some really cool start-ups raising funds and doing epic things. I am sure that if I had been on an accountancy training contract in a big firm doing what I was told in something like audit... I probably wouldn't have lasted a week! So it was a lucky alignment for me (that i am truly grateful for)

And now I existing in a unique intersection, where the logical world of finance meets the boundless creative world of potential. With one foot firmly planted in the realm of numbers, budgets, and strategic financial planning, and the other in the intuitive, ethereal dream world of game changing ideas, and artistic expression, I embody a the blend of pragmatic vision.

My calling is to serve as a bridge, translating the world of money and finances to enable heart-led change makers to realising their purpose-led visions in a financially abundant framework that reimagines capitalism with more fair and equitable outcomes.

I tell this story so you know that my main interest in finance is (not in getting excited about a new tax book or technical accounting terms), it's how I can use my finance skills and expertise to help more purposeful business owners succeed. And that's also what drives me to innovate and get creative in my own business offering.

My Why

My recent personal goals have been about developing my own 15 acre small holding bordering ancient woodland with a meandering stream running across the boundary. Recently taken out of arable farming to transform with tree and orchard planting (over 3,000 native trees), introduction of rare breed poultry, dartmoor ponies and a haven for rehabilitating and training ex-racehorses. There is quite the herd of horses now (don't ask how many 🙈) ... and a very small flock of pet sheep; Bluebell, Violet and Woody.

Despite all the chaos and farm related jobs... this is my WHY! And of course serves as my reminder to be kind to nature, get plenty of fresh air and work in a sustainable way - as I have a cosy little remote office space based here.

A dog walk or ride around the site, listening to bird song and watching the wild deer grazing with Red Kites souring overhead – helps solves many problems… clears the mind and is a favoured way to facilitate thinking and decision making (unless I'm preoccupied with chatty Meg the lakeland terrier or wondering where Oz the border collie has zoomed-off to now) 🐕

And one down side of all the outside time is you might catch me talking often of (read complaining about) the weather and the long winters! ❄️

 Want to work with a truly down to Earth accountant?  Let's chat!

Below The Line Finance, Our Name Explained…

Why ‘Below The Line Finance’?  You may ask!

Harriet explains…

“When I founded this business, I aimed to infuse meaning into its name. ‘Below the Line’ is a term commonly tossed around in finance and business, often linked to cost treatment in P&L reports (so fairly apt in the financial sense!). However, my interpretation is that the real magic happens ‘Below The Line’—it’s where a conscious business owner’s ‘why’ resides.

Your ‘why’ is the driving force behind what you do, the unique purpose your venture serves, the sustaining element of your journey—Profit, People, and Planet. 💰👭 🌎

While the ‘Above The Line’ aspects matter—sales and gross profits that fuel the Below The Line magic—exploring what’s beneath allows you to shape your venture with a crystal-clear purpose.

With practical and strategic financial insights, I’m here to empower you through finance, helping you create and build your vision with profit and purpose. 📈

In a delightful twist of fate, one of my significant ‘whys’ is my nature project ‘Below Line Meadow’ (because it is literally a meadow in a valley below an old railway line) —a smallholding embracing ancient woodland and a meandering stream. 🌳 🌲 🏞

What was once intensive arable farmland is now a sanctuary for a vast tree planting initiative, retired ex-racehorses, Dartmoor ponies, rare breed poultry, and a plethora of wildlife, from red kites and deer to otters. 🐴 🦅 🐓

I am fueled by a passion to help you scale your venture with both profits and purpose. That’s why we kick off with your ‘why’—aligning your business growth with purpose! 🙌”

And here is a little visual representation of the magic that happens ‘Below The Line’….