Sydney Company's Business is Small Business

"It's like a freight train. We're growing that fast," says Bill Murphy, president of Ledgers Inc. And for this Sydney-based company, a recent merger means it's right on track.

Mr. Murphy opened Ledgers in 1994 with the plan to develop a one- stop business advice, service and support centre exclusively for small and medium-sized businesses. Now he wants his company to be a leader in providing these services globally. The company recently acquired The Interface Group and Interface Financial Services to help it reach that goal. The expansion allows the company to provide capital financing, thereby increasing the number of services it provides.

Currently, Ledgers provides bookkeeping and life insurance services at 18 franchises across Canada and the United States. With the recent acquisitions, the company proposes to offer many new services, such as legal, marketing and technology services, either through the company website or at one of more than 80 franchises.

"With such a unique idea it is necessary to expand to keep ahead of the competition," said Mr. Murphy. "If Ledgers is too slow in its growth, someone else will expand in our place."

One thing that sets this company apart from the competition is its developing website that will allow small business owners to access not only online business services, but business training. Currently, Ledgers is designing a distance education course for the site. The company is relying on in-house expertise to develop the course.

Ledgers' 38-year-old president said the cutting-edge website will serve as a marketing device for his company and a tool for small businesses. The website offers businesspeople and franchisees access to frequently asked questions, technical manual updates, e-mail, bulletin boards, as well as ordering capabilities for Ledgers' products.

Mr. Murphy created Ledgers after noticing a lack of professional quality service for small businesses at low prices. The company's all-under-one-roof philosophy allows it to combine expertise in a variety of business fields.

"There's no other company like us in the world," said Mr. Murphy. "Why make 15 phone calls if you can make just one?"

It is ideas like these that are increasing Ledgers' popularity in North America and contributing to its rapid expansion.

Six years ago, Terry Bachmann purchased the first Ledgers franchise. From his location in Moncton, N.B., Mr. Bachmann said his small business customers could not be more satisfied. Currently the Moncton office provides only bookkeeping services, but a planned expansion to provide more Ledgers services is underway.

Ledgers' growth has been assisted in part by Nova Scotia Economic Development, which provided $75,000 in loans over the past three years. Economic Development Minister Gordon Balser said the rapid growth of the company has demonstrated that Ledgers is a good investment. He also said that Ledgers is a sound investment in the small business community because its expansion increases the number of services available to business owners.

"Our support of businesses like Ledgers helps small Nova Scotia companies get their feet off the ground," said Mr. Balser. "Helping the growth of small business in the province creates more jobs and, in the case of Ledgers, shows the world that this province is a player in the international business world."

The continued expansion of Ledgers helps the company fulfil its mission of becoming a one-stop destination for small business to receive professional quality bookkeeping, financial training, marketing and support services and related products at affordable prices.

"We refuse to be second player," said Mr. Murphy. "We want to be the number one service provider to small business globally. That's our mission."