Mrs Mactivity Enterprises Ltd, founded by Heather McAvan, is an innovative EdTech business based in Bradford.
With a mission to save teachers time and enhance children’s learning, the company offers a membership platform providing tailored resources for schools and teachers.
Over the past seven years, it has grown to include over 20,000 individual teacher subscribers and is now transitioning to a school-focused model, offering schemes of work for primary education.
In addition, Mrs Mactivity has expanded its reach by providing consulting services to EdTech companies and previously launched a DfE-validated phonics scheme, later sold to an international education company in 2024.
As Mrs Mactivity grew, Heather found that her existing accountants lacked the expertise needed to support her e-commerce and subscription-based business model.
“Our previous accountants didn’t understand deferred income or the complexities of running a subscription platform. It led to a lot of inefficiencies and stress,” Heather recalls.
After seeking recommendations in local Facebook groups, Heather discovered Watson Buckle, whose reputation and positive reviews caught her attention.
How Watson Buckle supported success
Watson Buckle provided a tailored approach to meet the needs of Mrs Mactivity:
E-commerce and automation expertise
Heather was immediately impressed with Watson Buckle’s understanding of her business model. “Katie Crichton, my account manager, stood out straight away,” Heather says.
“She had never worked with the plugin we use, but she did her research and came back with a plan to automate processes. With our old accountants, everything was done manually, which was time-consuming and costly. Katie said, ‘We can automate this, streamline that, and integrate it with Xero.’ I knew instantly that they were the right fit.”
Tax advisory for business sale
When Heather sold her phonics scheme in 2023, Watson Buckle’s tax specialist, Rebecca Hurford, provided critical support.
“Rebecca guided us through every step of the tax implications related to the sale. She helped us get the clearances we needed and ensured we were confident in the process,” Heather explains.
“If I ever sell another business, I won’t hesitate to use them again. They made what could have been a stressful process so much easier.”
Proactive and reassuring support
Heather appreciated Watson Buckle’s proactive approach to problem-solving. “Accounting isn’t my strong point, and it makes me anxious,” Heather admits.
“But with Watson Buckle, it’s different. Katie spotted an issue with our deferred income this year, but instead of panicking me, she said, ‘Don’t worry, here’s the solution.’ That’s what you want – solutions, not more problems.”
Personalised and Professional Service
Despite not meeting the team in person, Heather feels a strong connection with Watson Buckle. “Rebecca and Gillian McLoughlin are so approachable and very helpful. Katie is incredibly professional and efficient, which I value. She answers every question quickly and never makes me feel like I’m being a nuisance,” Heather shares.
The results
Since working with Watson Buckle, Mrs Mactivity has seen significant improvements:
- Time savings: Automated processes have reduced manual tasks, saving hours of work every quarter.
- Reduced stress: Heather feels more confident and less anxious about accounting tasks.
- Increased efficiency: Watson Buckle’s expertise has streamlined operations and improved compliance.
“Our VAT returns used to cost a fortune because of the manual work involved,” Heather explains. “Now, everything is automated, and it’s so much more efficient. Katie just takes the hassle off my plate – it’s been a game-changer.”
Heather is confident that Watson Buckle will continue to support her business as it grows. “They’re always one step ahead,” she says. “If I hear about a tax planning idea and email Katie, she’s already thought of it. They’re proactive, and that makes a huge difference.”
“If you’re a growing business, don’t be afraid to switch accountants,” Heather advises. “Yes, it’s a daunting process, but Watson Buckle made it as smooth as possible. They’re not the lowest-cost service, but they’re worth every penny. Their expertise, especially in e-commerce, will save you time, money, and stress.”
Reflecting on her decision to work with Watson Buckle, Heather says, “Moving to them was the best decision we ever made. They’ve transformed the way we manage our accounts and made our lives so much easier. I couldn’t be happier.”
For more information about Watson Buckle’s services, visit www.watsonbuckle.co.uk.
