Director’s appointments to bring valued mix of technical knowledge and business acumen benefits

The Mid-Yorkshire Chamber and innovative accounting software company, Coconut, are starting the Autumn on a high with the appointment of a leading Huddersfield accountant to their boards.

Sara Whitton has been client services director at Huddersfield-based My Management Accountant (MMA), since 2017, and has over 25 years’ accountancy experience.

She joins the Mid Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, and the Finance and HR sub-committee to advise, challenge and ensure the Chamber is run in a sustainable way for the long-term benefit of members, and act as ambassadors and representatives for the Mid Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce.

The Mid Yorkshire Chamber’s aim is to support the Halifax, Huddersfield and Wakefield business communities, and drive growth among businesses of all sizes across the districts, by providing relevant and valuable support and benefits.

Tim Welton, co-founder and partner at Williams & Co solicitors, and Chamber Chair, said: “We are delighted to welcome Sara to the board. She is a dedicated and experienced business professional who will bring valuable financial experience to the board. Her appointment will strengthen the Board of Directors and help to steer and guide it as it aims to continue to deliver quality services that connect, support and represent businesses across our region.”

London-based, accounting software specialist, Coconut has brought Sara on to its advisory board as the take-up of its eponymous bookkeeping and tax app for sole trader grows rapidly. The company behind the simple, easy-to-use app that enables sole traders to manage expenses, invoicing and tax all in one, is continually developing enhancements, as the introduction of the April 6 2024 deadline for the Government’s controversial introduction of ‘Making Tax Digital’ gets closer.

Sara Whitton said: “At MMA, I love the speed with which using cloud-based technology allows us to deliver information to our clients. We can help them quickly gain deeper insight into the drivers behind profit and loss and achieve their business goals sooner. Joining the Chamber means I can bring my financial and business experience to a wider audience to also help them. There are some fantastic businesses across Calderdale, Kirklees and Wakefield and I can’t wait to reflect every element of our local business community and to help it continue to thrive.

“Being part of the advisory board at Coconut is exciting as I can combine my specific, hands-on accounting experience with years’ of knowledge of the issues sole traders face and help shape the future of software that will make their lives easier and their businesses more profitable.”

MMA specialises in cloud-based accounting services and is a gold partner of online accountancy software provider Xero. These range from year-end accounts, tax returns and payroll through to management accounts and finance director support.

A qualified ACCA accountant, Sara has continued to update her knowledge and understanding throughout her career and has also achieved fellowship status (FCCA). Sara has worked for a number of large accountancy firms and insolvency practitioners in the past and relishes the challenges of being a director of a small accountancy practice.