This has been a marvellous appointment for me. As I am based in Erbil, life is peaceful amongst the Kurds. Even though there is a lot of posturing between PKK and the Turks, that is in the mountains and quite a way from here.

The work is pretty straightforward and, financially, it has made a huge difference to us – my wife is delighted! Monies are all tax free and everything is paid for – accommodation, food, laundry, driver and even booze. This a small office. I have no staff, which suits me, and I run the finances for 4 high earning, high charging lawyers. The other part of my job is work as a management consultant, charging myself out to the American and British companies out here. There is a great deal of oil exploration going on so you can imagine the client list. Local accounting expertise is pretty dire so often these companies are grateful for my knowledge and “mature” experience.

The only downside (apart from missing my wife and daughters) is that I get paid in dollars. Every time I look at the rate it gets worse (for me anyway). I can’t believe it can dip much further so the positive is that if it moves to, say, $1.88 to the £ I get a 10% increase. Sorry to be selfish but a UK slump would suit me perfectly.

Thank you once again for the introduction. My wife thanks you, my bank manager thanks you.

All the best

Alan Crawford

Martin,

A note to say how much I appreciate the help given by matureaccountants.com.

Since I started looking about 3 months ago, I have applied for loads of jobs via other web-sites and not even had a reply to most of them. In a situation like that you start to wonder whether because of your age you are wasting your time. You know you're capable of doing a job but recruiters appear to have written you off.

Anyway I saw your advert for a very interesting job in Malaysia, applied, was interviewed and I start next month. Very exciting times!
I definitely recommend your organisation and it's a concept that will work. There must be loads of mature accountants like myself (not on £80,000 a year!) who want a fresh challenge and are more than capable of making a significant contribution to whichever organisation hires them.

Best wishes in your endeavours.

Kind regards,

Duncan MacLeod

Following weeks of preparation by companies from across the East Midlands, 26 of the region’s Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) have been chosen as finalists for the 2007 eBusiness Awards, with winners being announced on Thursday 22nd February at the East Midlands Conference Centre, Nottingham.

Over 100 entries from across the East Midlands were received from a host of new and exciting companies who have the realised the benefits of using Information and Communication Technology (ICT) to run their business.

The eBusiness Awards, previously known as the eCommerce Awards, recognise companies across the East Midlands who have demonstrated the best use of ICT. SMEs account for over 95% of the region's businesses and investment in ICT has a crucial role to play in the Regional Economic Strategy (RES) published by emda in July last year.

In the Category - Best eBusiness start up:

Adoptahen
Cruise Ahead Ltd
fillmybelly.com
Mature Accountants Ltd
Q Car Ltd
The Plate Market

We are interested in hearing from anyone that would like to work with us to develop the "mature" brand. We are building our reputation in the marketplace with over 1300 candidates on the books and we are currently recruiting for 244 positions.

We have recently opened our London office which is headed up by Sara Longmuir and the pace of change over the last 12 months has been dramatic.
Are you interested in any of the following:

1. Earning 20% of the fees that we charge for making a successful introduction to an employer that recruit a mature candidate.

2. Becoming a Regional director where you develop your own network and share up to 30% of the fees generated. There is no initial franchise fee or cost (we even provide you with business cards) and we give you the know-how and tools to become a successful recruiter.

If you are interested or have any good ideas, please contact us.

developments@matureaccountants.com

Sara is a Chartered Accountant with extensive corporate experience, including working as an FD. She now runs Coaching Talent providing executive coaching and training. She's also a certified trainer of NLP.

As our London and South East Regional Director Sara will handle enquiries and placements in the area. After one day in her role Sara secured an assignment in West London and on day two she was asked to recruit an FD for a National Charity.

Sara is developing a number of resources, including profiling tools, how to write great CVs and interview techniques. She is offering coaching to our members at special rates. Even a few sessions can have real impact.

"Being an MD often involves putting out fires. The coaching time lets me focus on what's really important for the business and for me. I've seen the benefit across the board in everything I do, not just work. I've been singing your praises to lots of people.Phenomenally valuable!"

Managing Director, London

Sara is offering the first hour of coaching at a 50% discount, and all subsequent coaching is discounted by 10% to our members. See www.coachingtalent.com for how this could be of use both in your business and personal life.