Who We Are

James joined the firm in 2007 and qualified as a member of AAT (Association of Accounting Technicians and ATT (Association of Taxation Technicians) before also qualifying as a Chartered Accountant with ACCA (Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) in 2017.   

As well as enjoying a close working relationship with his client base and providing a range of services to help them achieve their goals, he oversees the day-to-day running of the practice in his role as Director, obtaining his Practicing Certificate from ACCA in 2021.  

Away from the office, James is a keen sportsman spending weekends on the cricket field or football pitch.

Dawn founded the business in 2004 and subsequently attained a degree in leadership and management at Teesside University.  

From 2010 to 2012 she lectured for the Association of Accounting Technicians, delivering practice management lectures to AAT Accountants, and conducting compliance visits across the UK.   Dawn is also a previous columnist in Accounting Technician magazine and a winner of the AAT Past President’s Award 2019.

Dawn understands what it is like to run a business and that it's not always plain sailing.  She loves working with people, transforming businesses, and helping clients to be successful.  

Rebecca joined Clarksons in February 2023 having qualified as a Chartered Accountant with ICAS (Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland) in 2009. She is involved in all aspects of accounts and tax return preparation and is one of our Xero certified advisors. 

Rebecca has lived and worked in London and Singapore before moving to North Yorkshire in 2017.  Experienced in working in a range of large practices and corporations as well as small, start-up companies, she really enjoys building relationships with clients and adding value to businesses. 

In her spare time, Rebecca enjoys taking the children (and the dog) on long country walks. 

Elaine trained and qualified as a Chartered Accountant (ICAS) in Aberdeen in 1988 and, after a  career break to bring up her family, returned to the accountancy profession.  With over 20 years' experience, 14 of which were running her own practice, Elaine, having joined us in 2023, is looking forward to getting to know Clarksons' clients and their businesses.  

In her spare time, Elaine loves being with her family, especially her grandchildren, and also enjoys pottering about in the garden, knitting and walking.

After completing her A-Levels at Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College, Lucy began her accounting career at Clarksons in 2019.  Roll forward to 2023 and she has completed her AAT Level 4 full qualification.

Lucy has lived in the Dales all her life, and when not at work enjoys eating out and going on holiday regardless of whether it’s in search of sunshine or snow. 

Becky joined the team in September 2020 after completing her A-Levels at The Wensleydale School and Sixth Form.  She is currently studying for her AAT qualifications.

Becky is a farmer’s daughter and outside of work can often be found getting stuck in with various jobs on the family beef and sheep farm. In her spare time, she is also a keen member of the Wensleydale Young Farmers.

Steph joined Clarksons in September 2022 after receiving her AAT Level 3 qualification in 2021. She has a varied work history as a research chemist and teacher, and her current portfolio career encompasses editorial work for knitting and handcraft publications as well as bookkeeping.

A transplant from the US, Steph has lived all over England but feels happily at home in the Yorkshire Dales. When she isn't working, Steph can be found conducting chemistry experiments in the kitchen, backpacking in the Dales, making music, or knitting.

Janet joined the team in September 2022 after working locally for many years as a receptionist and bookkeeper.

She has lived in the Dales all her life, born into a farming family, and then marrying a farmer's son. She has two grown up children. She likes spending time with her family and venturing off to new places on her holidays. In her spare time, she also enjoys walking, baking, knitting and crochet.

After moving to North Yorkshire from the Midlands, Natalie joined Clarksons in 2022 bringing over 20 years’ experience as a Practice, Finance and Operations Manager.  This has seen her help small to medium sized independent businesses within the property and financial services sectors, achieve success with their objectives, financial ambitions, attaining compliance and enhancing both staff and customer experiences.  

Away from the office, Nat can generally be found on a hill or in a field - running, hiking, walking or cycling - and engaging in Dales community life.

Penn joined Dawn in January 2016 as her P.A. She loves using her experience and organisational skills to set up systems, declutter & oversee the smooth running of the firm. 

Penn has lived and worked in Switzerland, France, Holland, Monaco and London & has 40 years’ experience in large & small organisations.

 In her free time, she loves reading, walking her dog & enjoying the beauty of North Yorkshire.

Leanne joined the Clarksons team in June 2024 bringing with her over 16 years' experience in Payroll.  

Having lived in The Dales all her life, Leanne now lives on a farm in Swaledale with her husband and young family.  They run the farm together alongside a newly converted Bunkbarn. 

In her spare time she loves being outside either on the farm, in the garden or on holiday with the family.

Josh joined Clarksons in September 2024 after completing his A-Levels at Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form &College and is currently studying for his AAT qualifications.

Outside of work Josh is a keen footballer and enjoys going on hikes with his friends.