about us

Professional, accurate, fast, committed and affordable! The complete bookkeeping package for small to medium sized businesses -€“ freeing up precious time to allow total concentration on core business activity to promote growth!

Isobel Reid established Izco Accounting Solutions in 2007.

Originally from Dundee, she obtained a Post-Graduate Diploma in Software Engineering and a Degree in Business Computing at Abertay University - before coming to Wales in 1999 to follow and support her National team in the Rugby World Cup. Such was ‘the welcome in the hillsides,’ she has made Wales her home ever since.

A career path that began with the training and on-going support of Sage and Pegasus accountancy software systems, to the accounts departments of many businesses from sole trader to PLC listed groups of Companies.  Isobel’s skills evolved to also provide computer programming behind the scenes and pretty-soon, she found herself to be ‘in demand!’

Once awarded the prestigious title of (Pegasus) ‘UK Trainer of the Year’ Isobel’s career evolved further, as she began to install processing systems ‘from scratch’ – many of which are still in place today!

‘Izco' was originally set up to provide accounts training and support, but quickly diversified into a hands on bookkeeping-role. Before too long, I was also being tasked to raise sales invoices, reconcile bank statement, produce VAT returns and management accounts, deal with their queries and chase some of the overdue payments, for my clients.’ says Isobel.

In September 2010, she was joined by Mandy Desmond-Jones who had, until then, been the Finance Operations Manager at other large commercial establishments. They had known each other since 2006, but it was only in a casual conversation about the way demand for Isobel’s business services had started to grow exponentially, that the true potential for further growth was realised.

Today, well ahead of forecast, Izco employs a team of seven colleagues, with the ability to call on several other fully-trained professionals, ‘as and when needed’.

Mandy is already a qualified member of the AAT (Association of Accounting Technicians) and Isobel is currently a student member. Izco had their application be become full AAT Members in Practice approved in January 2012.  The AAT is the professional body for Accounting Technicians who oversee the ethics and skills of its members to ensure all work is completed professionally and competently.

With a growing business and continued studying taking up most of her working week, Isobel still finds time to ‘relax’ by playing – very competitive – hockey, every weekend. ‘I’ve played in four European Championships, and currently play for two teams – Newport Gwent Ladies, and Howardian (in Cardiff). It helps keep me sane!’ She laughs.

Mandy is originally from Cwmbran but now resides in Newport with husband, David. So far, all of her working life has been centred on a financial-environment, though other duties were also encompassed.

“In 2000, I went to work for my brother who had a P.R. & Marketing Business based in Chepstow. He was quite clear from the start about what my duties would entail. As he put it: ‘Everything from Bog room to Board room!’ – And he wasn’t kidding!”

Seven-years later, Mandy moved to a larger P.R. company and in 2009, further enhanced her professional skills by taking additional training and obtaining further qualifications under WAG. She obtained a ‘Prince-2’ in Project Management, and an Award (level 5) with the Institute of Leadership and Management.

An avid Manchester United and Cardiff Blues supporter, Mandy is also to be found at the gym several times a week – but her real ‘off-duty’ passion is socializing with family and friends, and taking holidays!

“David and I get away as often as we can.” She says. “So much so, that some of the family refer to us ‘Mr and Mrs Judith Chalmers!”

Izco Accounting Solutions work closely with a number of local accountants – and even sub-contract to former employers. ‘We’re not in competition with Accountants, we fulfil a very different role, and in turn, they rely on the likes of us to train and instil procedures, identify and correct financial errors, miscalculation, and generally smooth the whole process month to month which in turn makes the end-of-year an easier task.