Meet ICNZB Master Bookkeeper™, Jo McLeay. 

Jo has been a member since April 2011 and is based in Wellington.

Jo McLeay is the owner of Balance Up which has operated since 2015 in the Wellington region and offers data entry and filing, bank reconciliations, accounts payable and receivable, GST returns, payroll, monthly reports, and end of year data collection

Jo joined ICNZB in 2011 as a Certified Bookkeeper and progressed to Master Bookkeeper in November 2021.  She is actively involved in the membership - regularly attending Wellington Regional Network meetings and an avid annual conference attendee. 

We recently asked Jo some questions about her bookkeeping journey; the best advice she has ever received and a few "icebreaker" questions.  Here is what she had to say:

Why did you become a bookkeeper?

I was working at a Chartered Accountants firm and saw the piles of paperwork coming through each year that got converted into Annual Financial Reports, which then promptly got thrown in a bottom draw as the information was so historical it was irrelevant to the clients. I thought there must be a better way to have this information more current! Hubby and I were trying to have a baby so I started my bookkeeping business with the blessing of my Accountant boss (who referred my first few clients) to start a part-time business so I could be an at home mum and bring in some income.”

What do you enjoy most about bookkeeping?

I love to see the figures balance and having everything tidy and updated. Also, hearing from clients how much help I am for them and their business is so rewarding and a great motivator for doing a good job.”

What is the best piece of advice you have ever been given?

That if you are not enjoying your work, or unhappy with a situation (client) - Make a change."

If you could live anywhere in the world for a year, where would it be?

Scotland. Would love to visit some places I have read about and find some family history.”

If you could only eat one dessert for the rest of your life, what would it be?

How can you choose just one??? I love all desserts.”

If you had to delete all but 3 apps from your smartphone, which ones would you keep?

Whatsap - need to keep family chat groups. Banking - need to be able to keep up to date with the finances! Outlook - emails!!!"

Click here to download a copy of Jo's profile