One of my sincerest held beliefs is always to be counter-cyclical. Easier to do when you are free and single – i.e. going on holiday when the kids are at school, Christmas shopping on Boxing Day, and so on.

One of the tragedies of life as an accountant is that often, nearly always in fact, things only get really interesting when they’re going really wrong.

The managing director of Blaminio’s construction business was throwing an early fancy dress Christmas bash at his impressive pad last week.

Although I would never admit it publicly, it’s the slightly messy tasks that spreadsheet jockeying throws up that I enjoy the most; almost like a guilty pleasure.

I’ve always been a bit of a cynic when it comes to those motivational speakers who come in and tell us what can be achieved with a bit of drive and ambition.

Hardly a day goes by when the mighty Blaminio plc isn’t linked to yet another high-profile corporate raid.

FD’s given to creeping up on me recently and asking questions with a meaningful catch in his voice. He usually has an unnerving sense of timing, too, like when I’ve just logged on to MSN Messenger.

Spreadsheets are software. Geeks know software. So geeks understand spreadsheets. Apparently.

Those who can't get stuck with work experience. How hard is it to teach someone to use spreadsheets? Of course, I wouldn’t know, I’m entirely self-taught.