× Professional bio
Jo has run the Whitesides practice for 30 years, having previously worked in audit on complex clients for one of the ‘Big 4’ and specialised in SME accounts and tax work with larger independent practices. Jo completed a 3 year training programme based at Durham University Business School a few years ago to supplement her degree in Economics from Leeds University and FCA qualification.
What you do at Whitesides
Jo specialises in helping owner managed businesses with all aspects of their business and likes nothing better than to help them improve their businesses, systems and profits. She is registered as a Mentor with the Institute of Enterprise and Entrepreneurs and also supported some of the Business Link programmes in recent years. She loves working with all different shapes and sizes of business and advising on all areas of tax.
Personal bio
Away from the office, Jo loves the countryside, walking, gardening and the Leeds Rhinos, and this year is hoping to eventually achieve a long held ambition to opening her garden to public view in an open gardens event – watch this space!
Fact about Joanne
Joanne has won a number of first prizes at her village show for the ‘Best Alcoholic Drink’.
Meet Whitesides Chartered Accountants Team
Meet the Whitesides Chartered Accountants Team
Joanne Whiteside - Director View Profile
Professional bio
Jo has run the Whitesides practice for 30 years, having previously worked in audit on complex clients for one of the ‘Big 4’ and specialised in SME accounts and tax work with larger independent practices. Jo completed a 3 year training programme based at Durham University Business School a few years ago to supplement her degree in Economics from Leeds University and FCA qualification. Read more
jo@whitesidesca.com Jo has run the Whitesides practice for 30 years, having previously worked in audit on complex clients for one of the ‘Big 4’ and specialised in SME accounts and tax work with larger independent practices. Jo completed a 3 year training programme based at Durham University Business School a few years ago to supplement her degree in Economics from Leeds University and FCA qualification. Read more
Adam Fox – Office Manager View Profile
Professional bio
Adam has worked at Whitesides for almost 4 years, previously spending 11 years as a Finance & Operations Section Manager in various Marks & Spencer stores around North & West Yorkshire. Read more
adamfox@whitesidesca.com Adam has worked at Whitesides for almost 4 years, previously spending 11 years as a Finance & Operations Section Manager in various Marks & Spencer stores around North & West Yorkshire. Read more
× Professional bio
Adam has worked at Whitesides for almost 4 years, previously spending 11 years as a Finance & Operations Section Manager in various Marks & Spencer stores around North & West Yorkshire.
What you do at Whitesides
As the Office Manager Adam is the first point of contact at Whitesides, and part of his day to day responsibilities, other than running the office, are: billing, customer service and health & safety, not forgetting ensuring there are ample supplies of tea and coffee for everyone in the office!
Personal bio
Family and sport are Adam’s biggest passions, and he loves spending time with his wife and 2 children, watching NFL and can often been found running around Horsforth at lunchtime and is currently taking part in a huge charity challenge with his wife running 10 marathons each in 2020 (www.teamfox20.co.uk)
Fact about Adam
Adam used to be in a band, and performed 2 original songs live on BBC Radio!
Adam has worked at Whitesides for almost 4 years, previously spending 11 years as a Finance & Operations Section Manager in various Marks & Spencer stores around North & West Yorkshire.
What you do at Whitesides
As the Office Manager Adam is the first point of contact at Whitesides, and part of his day to day responsibilities, other than running the office, are: billing, customer service and health & safety, not forgetting ensuring there are ample supplies of tea and coffee for everyone in the office!
Personal bio
Family and sport are Adam’s biggest passions, and he loves spending time with his wife and 2 children, watching NFL and can often been found running around Horsforth at lunchtime and is currently taking part in a huge charity challenge with his wife running 10 marathons each in 2020 (www.teamfox20.co.uk)
Fact about Adam
Adam used to be in a band, and performed 2 original songs live on BBC Radio!
Tanis Speir – Payroll Manager View Profile
Professional bio
Tanis holds a degree in Accounting and Finance from Aberystwyth University and is a member of the Chartered Institute of Payroll Professionals. Before joining Whitesides Tanis spent 15 years working in the hospitality industry.
Read more
tanis@whitesidesca.com Tanis holds a degree in Accounting and Finance from Aberystwyth University and is a member of the Chartered Institute of Payroll Professionals. Before joining Whitesides Tanis spent 15 years working in the hospitality industry.
Read more
× Professional bio
Tanis holds a degree in Accounting and Finance from Aberystwyth University and is a member of the Chartered Institute of Payroll Professionals. Before joining Whitesides Tanis spent 15 years working in the hospitality industry.
What you do at Whitesides
As the Payroll Manager at Whitesides she completes all the payroll, Auto Enrolment pension duties in the office and is currently training towards her ATT. And has been a member of the Whitesides team for almost 4 years.
Personal bio
Tanis is originally from Canada, and now lives in Leeds with her husband and two children. Tanis is a bit of a jack of all trades and enjoys learning new skills. Yoga, baking and embarrassing her teenager are currently her favourite past times.
Fact about Tanis
She can lick her elbow.
Tanis holds a degree in Accounting and Finance from Aberystwyth University and is a member of the Chartered Institute of Payroll Professionals. Before joining Whitesides Tanis spent 15 years working in the hospitality industry.
What you do at Whitesides
As the Payroll Manager at Whitesides she completes all the payroll, Auto Enrolment pension duties in the office and is currently training towards her ATT. And has been a member of the Whitesides team for almost 4 years.
Personal bio
Tanis is originally from Canada, and now lives in Leeds with her husband and two children. Tanis is a bit of a jack of all trades and enjoys learning new skills. Yoga, baking and embarrassing her teenager are currently her favourite past times.
Fact about Tanis
She can lick her elbow.
Sarah Greenwood – Accountant & Chartered Tax Adviser View Profile
Professional bio
Sarah is a Chartered Tax Advisor and ACA qualified accountant, she joined the team in 2015. Before joining Whitesides, Sarah spent 7 years working for mid-tier and big four firms where she worked in the Insolvency, Audit and Forensic teams.
Read more
sarah@whitesidesca.com Sarah is a Chartered Tax Advisor and ACA qualified accountant, she joined the team in 2015. Before joining Whitesides, Sarah spent 7 years working for mid-tier and big four firms where she worked in the Insolvency, Audit and Forensic teams.
Read more
× Professional bio
Sarah is a Chartered Tax Advisor, ACA and CPI qualified accountant, she joined the team in 2015. Before joining Whitesides, Sarah spent 7 years working for mid-tier and big four firms where she worked in the Insolvency, Audit and Forensic teams.
What you do at Whitesides
She is one of our client managers and specialises in providing tax and accounts advice to owner managed businesses and individuals. Sarah is also responsible for the training of our trainee.
Personal bio
Although Sarah grew up in Horsforth, after leaving University Sarah lived in Bristol for 6 years. The main thing she missed about living in Leeds was having chips and gravy from the chippy.
Sarah’s favourite pastime is going on long muddy walks with her dog who also loves to chew things. She also likes going out for afternoon teas (her favourite one is The Grand Hotel in York). She has also signed up to do the office running challenge – which she hasn’t started training for.
Fact about Sarah
Sarah doesn’t have a claim to fame but she does hold an amateur radio licence!
Sarah is a Chartered Tax Advisor, ACA and CPI qualified accountant, she joined the team in 2015. Before joining Whitesides, Sarah spent 7 years working for mid-tier and big four firms where she worked in the Insolvency, Audit and Forensic teams.
What you do at Whitesides
She is one of our client managers and specialises in providing tax and accounts advice to owner managed businesses and individuals. Sarah is also responsible for the training of our trainee.
Personal bio
Although Sarah grew up in Horsforth, after leaving University Sarah lived in Bristol for 6 years. The main thing she missed about living in Leeds was having chips and gravy from the chippy.
Sarah’s favourite pastime is going on long muddy walks with her dog who also loves to chew things. She also likes going out for afternoon teas (her favourite one is The Grand Hotel in York). She has also signed up to do the office running challenge – which she hasn’t started training for.
Fact about Sarah
Sarah doesn’t have a claim to fame but she does hold an amateur radio licence!
Tessa Faulkner - Accountant View Profile
Professional bio
Tessa is a qualified Chartered Accountant, and has been working at Whitesides for 14 years. Read more
tessa@whitesidesca.com Tessa is a qualified Chartered Accountant, and has been working at Whitesides for 14 years. Read more
× Professional bio
Tessa is a qualified Chartered Accountant, and has been working at Whitesides for 14 years.
What you do at Whitesides
Tessa is the Practice Manager for the office and also one of the client managers, completing accounts and tax returns for a variety of clients.
Personal bio
In her spare time Tessa is a volunteer at the Ilkley Literature Festival, she also enjoys cooking, swimming, going to the theatre and watching sport, especially tennis and athletics.
Fact about Tessa
Last year Tessa became a Grandma for the first time!
Tessa is a qualified Chartered Accountant, and has been working at Whitesides for 14 years.
What you do at Whitesides
Tessa is the Practice Manager for the office and also one of the client managers, completing accounts and tax returns for a variety of clients.
Personal bio
In her spare time Tessa is a volunteer at the Ilkley Literature Festival, she also enjoys cooking, swimming, going to the theatre and watching sport, especially tennis and athletics.
Fact about Tessa
Last year Tessa became a Grandma for the first time!
Gita Patel – Accountant View Profile
Professional bio
Gita joined the team in August 2017 as a trainee, working towards becoming a chartered accountant. She previously worked as a doctor in the NHS for almost 6 years. Read more
gita@whitesidesca.com Gita joined the team in August 2017 as a trainee, working towards becoming a chartered accountant. She previously worked as a doctor in the NHS for almost 6 years. Read more
× Professional bio
Gita joined the team in August 2017 as a trainee, working towards becoming a chartered accountant. She previously worked as a doctor in the NHS for almost 6 years.
What you do at Whitesides
Gita completes a wide variety of accounting work such as checking grant applications, preparing financial statements and tax returns.
Personal bio
Gita started running in January 2016 and since then has completed over 50 parkruns (regularly wears the great red technical t-shirt) and 2 marathons. As she lives in Armley, she has become a regular runner/walker and volunteer (patiently waiting to claim her t-shirt) at Bramley parkrun. Gita plays netball in a friendly league in Tingley/Wakefield. Gita loves watching live comedy shows and has been to many shows in Leeds, Bradford, Harrogate and York.
Fact about Gita
Gita doesn’t actually like running! (She does love eating out and if you’ve got any recommendations of must visit eateries in Yorkshire, please let her know.)
Gita joined the team in August 2017 as a trainee, working towards becoming a chartered accountant. She previously worked as a doctor in the NHS for almost 6 years.
What you do at Whitesides
Gita completes a wide variety of accounting work such as checking grant applications, preparing financial statements and tax returns.
Personal bio
Gita started running in January 2016 and since then has completed over 50 parkruns (regularly wears the great red technical t-shirt) and 2 marathons. As she lives in Armley, she has become a regular runner/walker and volunteer (patiently waiting to claim her t-shirt) at Bramley parkrun. Gita plays netball in a friendly league in Tingley/Wakefield. Gita loves watching live comedy shows and has been to many shows in Leeds, Bradford, Harrogate and York.
Fact about Gita
Gita doesn’t actually like running! (She does love eating out and if you’ve got any recommendations of must visit eateries in Yorkshire, please let her know.)
Leo Zade - Bookkeeping Manager View Profile
Professional bio
Leo has worked at Whitesides Chartered Accountants since 2014. Previously working up and down the country in a sales position, retraining as he wanted to spend more time at home with his family. Read more
leo@whitesidesca.com Leo has worked at Whitesides Chartered Accountants since 2014. Previously working up and down the country in a sales position, retraining as he wanted to spend more time at home with his family. Read more
× Professional bio
Leo has worked at Whitesides Chartered Accountants for over 5 years now. Previously working up and down the country in a sales position, retraining as he wanted to spend more time at home with his family.
What you do at Whitesides
As the Bookkeeping Manager at Whitesides Leo undertakes a full range of bookkeeping duties, including bank reconciliation, VAT return submissions, purchase & sales ledger, raising purchase and sales invoices dealing with any queries arising from them and any other general day to day bookkeeping duties.
Personal bio
It is fair to say Leo is a family man, he spends his spare ferrying children around to various events, parties, classes and any number of extracurricular activities.
Fact about Leo
Earlier in life Leo cycled from Leeds to Paris, without team Sky Support, in just 3 days averaging 145 miles a day. Leo also bakes the tastiest chocolate brownies and Victoria sponge cake in the office!
Leo has worked at Whitesides Chartered Accountants for over 5 years now. Previously working up and down the country in a sales position, retraining as he wanted to spend more time at home with his family.
What you do at Whitesides
As the Bookkeeping Manager at Whitesides Leo undertakes a full range of bookkeeping duties, including bank reconciliation, VAT return submissions, purchase & sales ledger, raising purchase and sales invoices dealing with any queries arising from them and any other general day to day bookkeeping duties.
Personal bio
It is fair to say Leo is a family man, he spends his spare ferrying children around to various events, parties, classes and any number of extracurricular activities.
Fact about Leo
Earlier in life Leo cycled from Leeds to Paris, without team Sky Support, in just 3 days averaging 145 miles a day. Leo also bakes the tastiest chocolate brownies and Victoria sponge cake in the office!
Sean Rushton - Accountant View Profile
Professional bio
An economics and finance graduate from the University of York, Sean has been working in practice since 2010 and his experience lies chiefly with SME businesses and charities. A fan of technology, he is an expert on Excel and is both Xero Certified and FreeAgent friendly. Read more
sean@whitesidesca.com An economics and finance graduate from the University of York, Sean has been working in practice since 2010 and his experience lies chiefly with SME businesses and charities. A fan of technology, he is an expert on Excel and is both Xero Certified and FreeAgent friendly. Read more
× Professional bio
An economics and finance graduate from the University of York, Sean has been working in practice since 2010 and his experience lies chiefly with SME businesses and charities. A fan of technology, he is an expert on Excel and is both Xero Certified and FreeAgent friendly.
What you do at Whitesides
He is one of our client managers and specialises in providing tax and accounts advice to owner managed businesses and individuals. Sean looks after most of our charity clients and likes developing and improving systems- particularly where there are technological solutions.
Personal bio
Sean is a bit of a thespian, making his debut as a Christmas Cracker(!?) in the Nativity and going on to play lead roles in many local musicals and pantomimes such as Pilate in ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’, Valjean in ‘Les Misérables’, and Puss in ‘Puss in Boots’. He broke a tooth performing ‘Bouncy Castle Dracula’ at the stroke of midnight in a spooky converted church at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Once he has completed his move to Horsforth you will be able to see him arriving at the office on his bicycle.
Fact about Sean
He owns over 45 sets of Monopoly.
An economics and finance graduate from the University of York, Sean has been working in practice since 2010 and his experience lies chiefly with SME businesses and charities. A fan of technology, he is an expert on Excel and is both Xero Certified and FreeAgent friendly.
What you do at Whitesides
He is one of our client managers and specialises in providing tax and accounts advice to owner managed businesses and individuals. Sean looks after most of our charity clients and likes developing and improving systems- particularly where there are technological solutions.
Personal bio
Sean is a bit of a thespian, making his debut as a Christmas Cracker(!?) in the Nativity and going on to play lead roles in many local musicals and pantomimes such as Pilate in ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’, Valjean in ‘Les Misérables’, and Puss in ‘Puss in Boots’. He broke a tooth performing ‘Bouncy Castle Dracula’ at the stroke of midnight in a spooky converted church at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Once he has completed his move to Horsforth you will be able to see him arriving at the office on his bicycle.
Fact about Sean
He owns over 45 sets of Monopoly.
Cath Chapman - Bookkeeper & Payroll Administrator View Profile
Professional bio
A product of the nearby Benton Park Grammar School, Cath joined Whitesides in 2019 as Bookkeeper and Payroll Assistant. Cath has over 26 years experience in Financial and IT Service Management within a large global technology company, plus two years in Retail Management. Read more
cath@whitesidesca.com A product of the nearby Benton Park Grammar School, Cath joined Whitesides in 2019 as Bookkeeper and Payroll Assistant. Cath has over 26 years experience in Financial and IT Service Management within a large global technology company, plus two years in Retail Management. Read more
× Professional bio
A product of the nearby Benton Park Grammar School, Cath joined Whitesides in 2019 as Bookkeeper and Payroll Assistant. Cath has over 26 years experience in Financial and IT Service Management within a large global technology company, plus two years in Retail Management.
What you do at Whitesides
Cath assists Leo with client bookkeeping, recording financial transactions, wages journals, bank reconciliations to name but a few.
While also assisting Tanis in the payroll department, running monthly payrolls and general administration.
Personal bio
Cath loves combining her two favourite hobbies, local history and walking, and enjoys cooking and entertaining.
Fact about Cath
Cath enjoys various aspects of craft-work and regularly donates her work to support local charities.
A product of the nearby Benton Park Grammar School, Cath joined Whitesides in 2019 as Bookkeeper and Payroll Assistant. Cath has over 26 years experience in Financial and IT Service Management within a large global technology company, plus two years in Retail Management.
What you do at Whitesides
Cath assists Leo with client bookkeeping, recording financial transactions, wages journals, bank reconciliations to name but a few.
While also assisting Tanis in the payroll department, running monthly payrolls and general administration.
Personal bio
Cath loves combining her two favourite hobbies, local history and walking, and enjoys cooking and entertaining.
Fact about Cath
Cath enjoys various aspects of craft-work and regularly donates her work to support local charities.
Claire Morland - Bookkeeper & Admin Assistant View Profile
Professional bio
Claire is an AAT Qualified Bookkeeper with 20 years and accounts experience both in industry and practice. Read more
claire@whitesidesca.com Claire is an AAT Qualified Bookkeeper with 20 years and accounts experience both in industry and practice. Read more
× Professional bio
AAT Qualified with 20 years Bookkeeping and accounts experience both in industry and practice.
What you do at Whitesides
Assisting Leo with Bookkeeping, maintaining accurate books and records.
General administrative duties, supporting the Office Manager.
Personal bio
When not travelling she enjoys long dog walks.
Fact about you
A qualified masseur
AAT Qualified with 20 years Bookkeeping and accounts experience both in industry and practice.
What you do at Whitesides
Assisting Leo with Bookkeeping, maintaining accurate books and records.
General administrative duties, supporting the Office Manager.
Personal bio
When not travelling she enjoys long dog walks.
Fact about you
A qualified masseur
