Accountant steps up for sports club

A Telford accountant is putting her professional skills to good use by volunteering as treasurer at a popular sports club.

Helen Columb – owner of Turas Accountants – is looking after the books for Allscott Sports Club near Wellington as it continues to go from strength to strength.

The club, which has thriving football, cricket and bowls teams, is a long-established community hub which also provides room hire for functions such as birthday parties, wakes and weddings, having been set up by British Sugar when the company ran a sugar beet plant in the village.

It has enjoyed a period of continued expansion since new community sports and social facilities were completed in 2023.

Helen, who lives close to the site, said: "When the trustees put out a call for volunteers to support the running of the organisation, one of the roles they needed to fill was treasurer and I thought I could add some real value.

“I knew I wasn’t the right person for social media, event planning or maintenance, but bookkeeping, VAT and financial oversight are what I do every day. It felt like the most useful way I could contribute to something that’s right on my doorstep.”

The club is a charity and Helen also provides the trustees with financial advice when needed, helping them make informed decisions as the club continues to expand its offer to local residents.

She says the role has given her a new appreciation for the work that goes into running a community facility.

“You see how much time volunteers give, how many decisions need to be made behind the scenes, and how important it is for the club to be on a strong financial footing,” she said. “If my skills can help make that easier, then it’s absolutely worth doing.”

The trustees say Helen’s contribution has already made an impact, giving the club clearer financial processes and greater confidence as it plans for the future.

Turas, which is based in Hall Court in Telford Town Centre, started trading in 2013 as Columb & Gosling Accountants.  It changed its name to Turas Accountants six years ago under Helen’s leadership.

It now works with clients across the country covering VAT, company accounts, bookkeeping and payroll. It specialises in e-commerce, helping clients who have online businesses using marketplaces such as Amazon, eBay and Etsy.

Pictured: Helen Columb of Turas Accountants