About us
AAT qualified accountants who treat your business like their own.
A mother-daughter team with over 40 years of experience between them. SLBS was founded in 2010 by Suzanne Lock. What started as a one-person practice has grown into a mother-daughter team with complementary specialisms - Suzanne working primarily with limited companies, Emma with sole traders and self-employed clients. Between them, they've got every type of small business covered.
25
Years of experience -Suzanne, head accountant - limited company specialist
15
Years of experience - Emma, managing director, sole trader specialist
100%
Family-run - everyone you speak to is a Lock
Suzanne's story
From HSBC to a surf shop to Finance Director - then SLBS.
Early career
Started at HSBC - and found a calling
Straight out of school, Suzanne joined HSBC. That's where she first discovered a genuine passion for numbers and how businesses actually work.
Mid career
Ran her own business - the first surf shop in Colchester
Her entrepreneurial streak led her to open the first surf shop in Colchester town centre. She ran the books herself through the highs and lows. When the surf scene faded, she knew exactly what she'd learned about running a business.
2000's
Became Finance Director - studying in her spare time
Joined a small advertising agency as a part-time bookkeeper. Over ten years, studying for AAT and CIMA qualifications alongside full-time work, she became their head Finance Director.
2010+
Founded SLBS - one laptop, one home office
With 25 years of experience across banking, business ownership, and corporate finance, Suzanne launched SLBS. Emma joined as the practice grew, gaining 15 years of experience and taking on the role of Managing Director.
"I've sat on both sides of the table - as a business owner worrying about tax, and as the accountant making sense of it. That experience shapes everything we do at SLBS."
- Suzanne Lock, Founder
The team
Two accountants and a pug.
When you contact SLBS, you speak to Suzanne or Emma directly. Not a call centre, not a junior. The people who know your numbers are the people who answer.
Suzanne Lock
Founder & head accountant - Ltd company Specialist
25 years in finance - HSBC, her own business, Finance Director, and now SLBS. Suzanne specialises in limited companies, handling everything from year-end accounts and corporation tax to dividend strategy and director pay.
structure.
Emma Lock
15 years of accounting experience and the day-to-day heart of the practice. Emma specialises in sole traders and self-employed clients - self assessment, bookkeeping, expenses, and making sure you're never paying more tax than you need to.
Bailey
Chief snack officer - Crumb Finding Specialist
Has attended every internal meeting since 2018. Has never filed a return, questioned an expense, or missed a biscuit. Indispensable in ways that are difficult to put on a CV.
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How we work
What being an SLBS client actually feels like.
Small enough to know your name. Experienced enough to handle anything.
No jargon
Plain English, always. You'll understand exactly what's happening with your money and why.
We pick up the phone
A real person answers. Not a chatbot, not a portal ticket. Suzanne or Emma, who knows your account.
Proactive, not reactive
We flag things before they become problems. You won't hear from us only when something's wrong.
Always ahead of deadlines
We work ahead of schedule, not against the clock. No late-night panics, no penalty notices.
Fixed monthly fees
No surprise invoices. You know exactly what you pay, every month, with nothing hidden.
Remote-friendly, UK-wide
Based in Ipswich, working with businesses across the whole of the UK. Location is never a barrier.