Who we are

Meet our dedicated and experienced accounting team:

We like to think of ourselves as more than ‘just accountants’

We are a firm of Xero accountants that will work with you to help you succeed.

Whilst we are serious about keeping clients compliant with HMRC we also work with businesses to maximise their potential.

Carrie Stokes

Director

Carrie is the founder and Director of Spotlight Accounting. With over 20 years experience both in practice and industry. Training with a top 6 accountancy practice, before moving into industry running the finance department of a large group of companies. Carrie started her own private practice and has a 12 year proven record of working with businesses to help them grow. Highlights of this journey have been travelling to Cyprus assisting a client in a sale of shares in an international property business, working on a technical paper for a high profile celebrity court case and working with a domiciliary care company from implementation of reporting through to its eventual sale. Carrie is married to Neil with two children Will & Lucy. In her spare time, she enjoys running (is forever chasing her PB) and loves nothing more than popping open a bottle of Prosecco to enjoy with family and friends.

Emma Oliver

Client Manager

Emma is an ACCA qualified accountant who joined the practice in January 2020. Emma has experience in both working for other accountancy firms and in company accounts departments so has an understanding from both sides. Emma brings to the team a background of wide experience including Solicitors, Charity and Estate Agent Audits. Emma and her partner Russell have three girls, Lily, Freya and Brooke, Emma likes reading and time spent socialising with family and friends.

Kayleigh Doggett

Client Manager

Kayleigh is AAT qualified and began her career as a trainee for another local accountancy firm. She now has over 16 years’ experience of working in practice with a variety of different client types. Outside of work, she loves spending family time with her husband and young son, the theatre and socialising with friends.

Lucy Woodrow

Business Support Manager

Lucy has worked in various admin roles over the last twenty years, starting out from University with a large construction and road contracting company in Health & Safety. The last 9 years she has worked as an Events Coordinator for the University of Wolverhampton dealing with numerous different client types. Outside of work, Lucy loves spending time with her husband Jon and 2 young children, Noah and Jacob… Cheering them on at various sporting events! In her spare time, she enjoys running, hockey, anything crafty and socialising with friends and family.

Miles Mckie

Senior Accountant

Miles is an AAT qualified who began his career as an apprentice in the finance department of a local car dealership. He brings valuable experience from his time in practice, where he specialised in personal tax, with a particular focus on supporting individual landlords. Outside of work, Miles enjoys recreating traditional dishes from the countries he has visited, aiming to master one local recipe from each trip. He also keeps active through regular gym sessions and running, however he is yet to commit to an organised race.

Claire Bailey

Client Accountant

Claire is our Client Accountant, joining Spotlight after working in the finance department for a national retail chain. Claire worked with independent franchisees working with them in managing their finances. Claire has 2 young children, and in her spare time, Claire likes holidays, socialising with friends and eating out.

Gemma Walker

Client Accountant

Gemma began her accountancy journey straight from school when she secured her apprenticeship with another local firm of accountants. She now has nearly 14 years’ experience working in practice, working on a wide range of different client backgrounds.In her spare time, Gemma enjoys going to the gym, baking, going on long walks with her husband Chris and their 2 dogs Peanut and Noodle, and loves finishing to day off relaxing in the hot tub.

Janine Johnson

Business Support

Janine brings a wealth of admin skills to our team, with a career spanning various administrative roles, including 12 years in the banking sector. Janine's background has equipped her with exceptional organisation skills and a keen eye for detail. Outside of work, Janine is full of excitement planning her upcoming wedding to her fiancé, Mark. Together, they embrace the adventure of family life with their two daughters Sienna and Sophie. Weekends are often spent exploring new places, enjoying the great outdoors, and creating memories as a family.

Sally Cassidy

Business Support

Sally is an experienced Virtual Assistant with over 15 years in administration. She previously worked as Carrie's PA from 2021–2023 and is really excited to be back supporting the business again. Away from work, she is a mum of two young children and their cat mini. In her spare time she volunteers to help run a majorettes troupe with over 60 members, ranging from age 3 to 25. It keeps her on her toes, but she wouldn’t have it any other way.

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Rated 5 out of 5

Our Accounting Reviews

I have been a client of Carrie's for several years now and have received excellent service. Advice on both personal and business taxation matters is always proactive, so there is time to implement it. Carrie and her team are also readily available to answer any queries regarding accounting software or dealing with HMRC. Highly recommended as an efficient and responsive accountant.

We have been using Spotlight Accounting Limited and the services they provide since starting my business. We use Carrie in a number of ways. She is an expert in her field and makes my life so much easier and less scary when it comes to everything she does for my business. I treat Carrie as a consultant to my business rather than just an accountant. Her knowledge of the latest Technology and Apps available to help me reduce my time is fantastic. Using Spotlight Accounting Limited enables me to be with my customers more and make my business more successful, more productive and ultimately more profitable. I treat Carrie as a consultant to my business rather than just an accountant. Her knowledge of the latest Technology and Apps available to help me reduce my time is fantastic. Using Spotlight Accounting Limited enables me to be with my customers more and make my business more successful, more productive and ultimately more profitable.

Carrie's help has been really valuable in helping me to navigate the tax and accountancy issues of a sole trader business. She's right at the cutting edge of helping her clients deal with 'making tax digital', and her service is always friendly, helpful and responsive. I treat Carrie as a consultant to my business rather than just an accountant. Her knowledge of the latest Technology and Apps available to help me reduce my time is fantastic. Using Spotlight Accounting Limited enables me to be with my customers more and make my business more successful, more productive and ultimately more profitable.

Carrie & Team go above and beyond; there was something I needed sorting, and they took away the stress and delivered a great service. They were recommended, and I'm so happy I used them. I can't wait to grow my business with an accounts team that go that extra mile that make the service feel really personable.

As a business owner, Carrie has made my life so easy. I often find when you work with accountants or technical people, they talk at you, in their own language and seem shocked when you don't understand! Carrie explains things in plain English, making it easy to understand what needs to be done and why. I cannot recommend her highly enough.

Carrie was invaluable in the process of starting up my business. I will always recommend Carrie to anybody needing assistance with their accounts, and her knowledge and expertise in making a business thrive really are second to none.