The person
behind the order

I'm Deborah Jones, founder of The Back Office. I've spent over 25 years working in and alongside small businesses — as an office manager, bookkeeper, PA, and administrator. I know what it takes to keep the back end of a business running properly, because I've done it myself.

I started out as a co-founder of a landscaping business in 1998, handling everything from bookkeeping and VAT returns to building the website and doing the marketing — with no formal training, just a determination to do it right. Since then I've worked across construction, accountancy, print and design, and the charity sector, taking on roles from PA to Chief Executive through to sole-charge Office Manager.

Alongside The Back Office, I also work as a McKenzie Friend in family court proceedings — something I'm genuinely passionate about. I support litigants in person with the practical side of navigating the process, from organising documents and preparing bundles to helping them understand what the court expects at each stage. It's detailed, demanding work that requires discretion, structure, and the ability to deal with complex situations calmly and properly.

Between both roles, everything comes down to the same thing — being organised, knowing the detail, and making sure things are done properly.

Now I put all of that experience to work for sole traders and small businesses who need someone who genuinely knows their stuff — not just a virtual assistant who can send emails, but someone who understands payroll, CIS, VAT, CRM systems, and how to build a proper online presence.