The History of Hornbeam
As written by founder and senior director Phil Needham B.A. F.C.A.
I formed Hornbeam Management Services on 1 July 1992 to provide integrated accountancy services to businesses, mainly based in East Anglia. From the start we have had particular strength in providing integrated, bookkeeping services, accountancy, financial control and financial management. For example for some of our biggest clients, we own or operate their computer systems, maintain their sales ledgers, collect their debts, record their bankings, produce management accounts and produce statutory accounts for audit. With our extensive knowledge of the business we are often involved in strategic planning, budgeting, tax planning, sales and acquisitions, and succession planning. It speaks volumes that four of our earliest clients are now four of our largest and most prosperous clients.
For other clients we provided support and training where required, helping them to keep a tight control over their systems and thus, reduce costs of accountancy and audit and produce more accurate, timely and effective financial information on which to base key management decisions.
We carry this philosophy down to our smallest clients, many of whom have attended our courses on keeping their own cashbooks and accountancy records. For those smaller clients with no inclination to keep their own records we often find that the reduced annual accountancy charge combined with greater confidence in the accuracy of their PAYE and VAT affairs makes our bookkeeping service good value for money. (Find out more about Bookkeeping Services)
I lost the story after the first line, I'm glad you're still with me. Anyway I'm not a salesman and I had very little success in developing our core bookkeeping services, although I know there is still a huge market out there.
So, whilst the integrated bookkeeping service failed to attract many new clients, conventional accountancy work grew quite rapidly (by recommendation mainly). We found ourselves with a significant number of accountancy and tax clients. In 1996 the decision was taken to expand the conventional accountancy practice and in June 1997 we took over the practice of a retiring accountant. I count myself very lucky to have been introduced to Cecil Plume at this time and his client base still make up the backbone of our conventional accountancy practice. (Find out more about Accountancy Services)
In the meantime we obtained an audit licence in 1996 and have slowly expanded that side of the business. (Find out more about Audit Services)
2000 saw Jane Court moving from being an employee to joining me as a partner in the practice. Jane brought invaluable tax expertise, and oversaw the rapid growth in the taxation side of the business. (Find out more about Taxation Services)
July 2003 saw Hornbeam acquire the tax practice, and with it the wide range of expertise in various aspects of international taxation, trusts, estates and much more besides, of Michael Blackburn. Expansion since that time has been rapid and has been underpinned by the employment of two highly qualified and experienced managers, Nicky Cooper ATII as Tax Manager and Andrew Bloy ACA as General Practice Manager.
At the end of 2006, Jane decided that she wanted to adjust her work life balance and left the practice. This gave me the opportunity to reward the two managers for their hard work over the preceding years by offering them the opportunity to invest in the business and I am pleased to say that Nicky and Andrew both became directors and shareholders of the company.
Our strategy continues to be steady advancement on all fronts and the introduction of the new directors should help see this realised whilst maintaining the level of service that we provide to our existing clients. We are happy to welcome new and prospective clients who may require any of the services that we supply and pride ourselves on our ability to respond quickly to our clients needs (one of the main failings of our competitors).
Please enjoy the rest of the website and do not hesitate to contact Andy or myself if you would like further information about Hornbeam and the services we offer.
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