We sat down with Renu, founder of Profectus and proud holder of a Small Business Sunday (#SBS) award from Theo Paphitis, to talk about how she works, who she helps and what it's really like to hand your finances to someone else. With summer winding down and the busy autumn ahead, it felt like the right moment to ask.
You describe Profectus as the operational layer between admin and accountants. What does that actually mean?
It means I sit in the gap that trips a lot of businesses up. Your accountant handles the year-end and the corporation tax return. The day-to-day admin is on you. The bit in the middle, keeping the books tidy, chasing what's owed, making sure the numbers are right all year round, is where things quietly fall apart. That's my patch. I keep the engine running so your accountant has clean figures to work with and you have a clear view of where you stand.
Profectus came out of the pandemic. What's the story behind it?
I studied Biology and Maths and I've loved numbers for as long as I can remember. My early career was in accounts departments and account management, so I saw plenty of businesses up close and learned how the finances actually work behind the scenes. I also grew up around entrepreneurs, so running my own thing was always in me somewhere.
The pandemic gave everyone a moment to stop and think about what mattered and for me the answer was clear. I wanted to work with the detail behind the numbers and help people build their story from it. Profectus was born from that. The name is Latin for progress and growth, which is exactly what I want for every client I take on.
Who do you typically work with?
Small businesses and sole traders across a real mix of sectors. Specifically, I have extensive experience working with charities, nurseries and IT businesses. A lot of them are brilliant at what they do but never wanted to be bookkeepers. They're growing, they're busy and the finances have started to feel like a second job they didn't sign up for. That's usually when they call me.
What's the most common problem people come to you with?
Messy finances. Not because they've done anything wrong but because life got in the way. Receipts in a shoebox, a spreadsheet three months out of date, that low hum of worry that something has been missed. My Finance Fixer service is built for exactly that. We get everything into order, work out what's actually going on and then keep it that way. The relief on people's faces once it's sorted is the best part of my job.
Handing over your finances feels like a big step. What does it look like to start working with you?
I keep it simple and I keep it clear. There are four steps.
1. A discovery call. We have a proper chat about your business, where things stand and what you need. No jargon and no pressure. It's how we both check we're a good fit.
2. ID and AML checks. You upload your ID documents and I run the anti-money laundering checks. This is standard practice for any regulated finance professional and it protects both of us.
3. Letters of engagement. Once we're happy, we sign the paperwork that sets out exactly what I'll do and what you can expect. Everything in writing, nothing vague.
4. Set-up and go. I get you up and running on your preferred software, all fully HMRC compliant. Once HMRC sends the authorisation code back, we're ready. From there I keep you updated on progress as often as you need.
That's it. Most people are surprised by how painless it is.
You mentioned HMRC-compliant software. Why does that matter so much right now?
Because the rules have moved. Making Tax Digital for Income Tax is live and the days of one big return in January are ending for a lot of sole traders and landlords. Keeping proper digital records all year is no longer optional for those affected. Getting set up on the right software now means you're ready rather than scrambling later. I'm Xero and FreeAgent certified so I put you on a system that fits how you work, all fully HMRC compliant. I take care of the technical side so you don't have to become an expert in it.
How hands-on do clients need to be once they're set up?
As much or as little as they like. Some want a monthly catch-up and a clear summary. Others are happy to leave me to it and know I'll flag anything that needs their attention. The point of working with me is to take the load off, so I shape it around how each person likes to work.
What do you enjoy most about it?
Watching someone go from dreading their finances to barely thinking about them. When a client tells me they slept properly for the first time in months, that's the win. Numbers can feel scary but they don't have to. My job is to make them boring in the best possible way.
Final question. What would you say to someone who knows their finances are a mess but keeps putting off dealing with it?
Don't wait for a perfect moment because it won't come. Autumn is a natural reset and the sooner things are in order the more choices you have.
Running a business is a climb and the financial side shouldn't be the thing that holds you back. It's never as bad as you fear once someone's beside you sorting it. Book a discovery call and let's have a chat. No mess is too big and there's no judgement here.
Ready to get your finances back on track before the autumn rush? Book a discovery call with Renu and see how Profectus can help.
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