About The Orenda Collective.
At The Orenda Collective, we embrace a human-centred approach focused on trust and a genuine commitment to your success. We thrive on collaborating with individuals who are dedicated to achieving results, no matter their stage of business. Our clients typically operate in the creative, wellness, or service-oriented space, and are ready to invest in growth and financial milestones.
Our Mission:
Our mission is to create an inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystem where both men and women are empowered, supported, and recognised for their leadership and innovation.
We aim to break down barriers, give people the support they need, and shout out loud about their amazing achievements.
We want to see more women leading companies, starting kick-ass businesses, and getting their fair share of funding, and that only happens when we all work as a collective!
We were sad (and honestly a bit outraged!) to learn that:
- Only 19% of SME’s were led by women.
- UK Women’s businesses have a higher churn rate (i.e. more start-ups and closures). But women are less likely to attribute closure to ‘business failure’ and more likely to cite ‘personal reasons’ – which peak at age 25-34 for women.
- Only 39.6% of FTSE 100 directorships and 38.9% of FTSE 250 directorships are held by women.
- According to the Women In Business Study, women have lower capabilities perceptions than men. In every region, women have, on average, a greater level of fear of failure than men.
- Women were 55% more likely than men to cite fear of going it alone as a primary reason for not starting a business.
- Women are less likely to believe they possess entrepreneurial skills: Only 39% of women are confident in their capabilities to start a business compared to 55% of men. This is a perceived gap in ability, rather than an actual gap in skill sets.
- Women-owned businesses win less than 5% of corporate and public sector contracts.
- Only 1% of all venture funding goes to businesses founded by all-female teams, inhibiting scale-up.
Our mission is to play a part in closing the gap, by championing female owned businesses and encouraging a collaborative network of all genders to learn and grow together.
We are a tech-orientated accounting firm that operates virtually for your convenience and efficiency.
We utilise Zoom for our meetings to provide convenience, flexibility, and efficiency to our clients. By leveraging Zoom, we offer the convenience of joining meetings from anywhere with an internet connection. This flexibility saves time and eliminates the need for travel, allowing for more frequent and productive discussions.
Xero is a leading cloud accounting software and excellent financial management tool; you will have access to real time financial data and performance insights right from your pocket. As Xero partners and certified advisors, we are able to offer expert software training, troubleshooting and advice on software’s that integrate with Xero to make your processes automated and efficient.
Dext is the modern, AI focused and simple way to bring all your paperwork together in a standardised, digital format. Whether it’s a receipt, invoice, or a bank statement, upload it conveniently to Dext and avoid manual data entry, piles of paperwork and the dread of locating information for HMRC. Dext also integrates seamlessly with Xero for an integrated cohesive financial process.
We recognise that its often difficult to remember everything, especially in complex areas, and that scrolling through endless emails to find an explanation can be frustrating. That’s why we utilise loom to record on screen videos to talk you through questions, provide guidance and create a library of videos to support you as your business grows.
Our client portal offers secure access to all your financial data, including accounts and tax returns, from anywhere. It’s a convenient hub for sharing information, ensuring transparency and accessibility. With real-time updates and robust security measures, you can collaborate seamlessly with our team, knowing your data is protected.
About Our Team
Abbie
I’m Abbie, the director here at The Orenda Collective and a chartered accountant and qualified business consultant. I’ve been immersed in the world of finance since 2011, starting my career at Grant Thornton London. Whilst there I specialised in working with large and listed companies before shifting my focus to smaller companies in 2019, driven by a desire to make a more direct impact on business owners.
Beyond numbers, I love to travel and have spent lots of time exploring Asia, Australia, New Zealand and Europe. I’m a self-proclaimed geek at heart, constantly seeking to learn new things, specifically about the mind and body.
In my downtime, you’ll likely find me indulging in my favourite combination – cheese and red wine or on long walks in nature (I am aware how old I sound!). I am a firm believer in speaking my mind and advocating for women in business, championing equality and diversity.
Nicola
I’m Nicola, a Senior Accountant and Client Manager at The Orenda Collective. I have always worked in accountancy, my first ever job was an apprenticeship in a small local firm in 2011. I continued to learn both in the classroom and on the job, completing my AAT qualification in 2015. After a hiatus for maternity leave, I began studying for my chartered accountancy qualification which I completed in 2019. I have continued to work in small firms my entire career, favouring the more personal service that can be offered to clients in a smaller setting. I have a passion for helping clients to feel fully in control and to have a good understanding of their finances. There are no silly questions in my opinion!
On the weekends I enjoy cooking and baking at home and spending time with my son and partner. I love a good thriller novel, usually accompanied by some chocolate! And when I get the chance, I enjoy travelling the UK and exploring all the amazing places we have here right on our doorstep. Although, I do hope to go further afield in future, having never left the UK!
Katie
I’m Katie, a Trainee Accountant at The Orenda Collective. I started my career in the travel industry in 2012, where I got to travel to wonderful places in Asia. In 2021, I transitioned into a new phase of my career by joining The Orenda Collective. I undertook and successfully completed bookkeeping qualifications in 2022, and this ignited a passion for business and learning. At present, I am engrossed in the study of AAT Level 3 Accounting, aspiring to deepen my understanding in the finance world.
Outside of work life, I am a mum, a dog mum and a wife. I cherish family time, getting outside in nature and eating great food! Indian cuisine has my heart and coffee is my daily fuel, my lifeline, my answer to pretty much everything!
So, that’s me in a nutshell – a mum, an accountant in the making, nature fan, Indian food enthusiast, and a coffee lover.
Carolyn
Hi, I’m Carolyn, and I’m excited to be the Administrative Coordinator at The Orenda Collective. With a background in customer service spanning both the Retail and Banking Industries, I’ve held managerial roles where I honed my organisational and problem-solving skills. Before joining this amazing team, I dedicated my time to raising my family, which I consider my most significant achievement. Now that my children are grown, I’ve embraced being a dog mom and relish long walks, especially when they involve the sea breeze and sand between my toes…and paws!
As the Administrative Coordinator, I oversee various key tasks to ensure the smooth functioning of our operations. This includes managing schedules, coordinating meetings, handling correspondence, and maintaining records.
Jack
I am Jack, an AAT-qualified accountant with extensive experience in the accountancy industry, specialising in supporting small and medium-sized businesses. My role focuses on managing the outsourced finance function for our larger clients, providing seamless support to help them streamline their operations. I also oversee the preparation of year-end accounts and tax returns, ensuring compliance with the latest regulations and offering tailored advice to optimise their financial performance.
I am particularly passionate about leveraging technology to enhance efficiency and accuracy for our clients. By staying up to date with the latest advancements in accounting software, I help businesses implement tools and processes that save time and provide valuable financial insights, enabling them to focus on growth.
Outside of work, I enjoy spending quality time with my family, whether it’s exploring the great outdoors, discovering new places on weekend outings, or enjoying cosy movie nights at home. I also have a keen interest in tech and gaming, and once even got a world record for competitive gaming!
Orenda is a force present in all people that empowers them to affect the world or to effect changes in their own lives.
Our values are testament to this and are the landscape of our business…
Everything we do is for the benefit of our amazing clients…
I have been really pleased with The Orenda Collective’s help with my tax return, they were very available for all my questions and explained all I needed to know clearly. They are a very personable very professional team, always ready to help. I would highly recommend them (and have done!). Thank you Abbie and team x
Katie Tucker
We are the right fit for you if:
- You are focused and committed to achieve results in your business
- You are ready to invest in your growth and achieve financial milestones
- You understand that money matters and that having the right advice in your corner is integral to success
