Champion Accountants in Manchester is celebrating more than 20 years’ of providing expert accountancy and business advisory support to 75 of its longest standing clients.
The accountancy group, which also has offices in Preston, Blackpool and Chester has impressive client retention rates and is celebrating decades of partnerships with clients, some of which span several generations.
One 20-year relationship is with Hyde-based Lynx IDG. During Champion’s partnership with the UK’s leading interior design and fit out specialist, the Manchester office has assisted the business by suggesting and managing a complete restructure that allowed it to move forward from a period of uncertainty to a strong, market-leading position.
Mark Fantom, managing director at Lynx IDG, said: “Champion has always assisted us with offering up new ideas and different ways of working. In my opinion they are the best around and always have our best interests at heart. Not many accountancy practices can claim that. With great service and a personal touch, Champion Accountants has helped us immensely over the years.”
Another client celebrating a 28-year relationship with the Manchester practice is Francis House. The Manchester-based hospice provides respite and end of life care for children and young adults with life limiting illnesses, and support for their families. Champion Accountants was appointed to represent Francis House Family Trust when it was established in 1990 and has since provided ongoing accounts, payroll and IT services and advice.
Rev. David Ireland, CEO of Francis House Family Trust, said: “Champion’s managing partner, Ged Cosgrove, took a personal interest in the work at Francis House and still does to this day. His passion for the charity coupled with professional advice has helped us to grow and this has been reflected in the excellent attitude of the staff who work on the Francis House accounts.”
Champion Accountants has also worked with the Sharland Charitable Foundation for more than a decade. The organisation, which supports children and adults with autism, came on board through a third-party recommendation. While working together, Champion has provided the charity with access to a range of services and valuable specialist advice, including payroll, tax, accounts and charity audits, legal, loans/mortgages, fundraising and insurance. Most recently, Champion provided specialist HR and wealth management advice on investing charity funds arising from the sale of a property.
Alison Sharland, a trustee at the charity, said: “Champion has continued to play a vital role in supporting any changes and developments that have taken place with the charity and a good working relationship has been established and maintained over many years.
“They have provided the trustees of the charity with crucial advice and support at key points in our development. The services and support they provide are always of the highest quality.”
Belmont Packaging is celebrating 17 years with Champion Accountants. The company make cardboard boxes, specialising in the design and creation of custom printed packaging solutions and currently use Champion Accountants for payroll, R&D and insurance needs.
Managing partner, Kate Hulley, said: “Champion Accountants is always on hand for help and advice. I have been with Champions since buying the business and they were instrumental during that time. Their expert advice certainly made the process smoother.”
Celebrating a relationship of more than 20 years and two generations with Champion Accountants, BIG Interiors is a North-West based company specialising in interior design, project management of office interior fit-out and furniture supply. The relationship with the company began with managing director Simon Baxendale’s mother, who had set up the business with the help of Champion Accountants managing director, Ged Cosgrove.
Managing director, Simon Baxendale, said: “Champion Accountants has given us a very professional accountancy service and other diversified areas like marketing support, which you may not expect from an accountant. They have always supported us with any problems quickly and in an efficient manner.
“They’re are a medium-sized regional business that offers all areas of expertise. As their business has grown and developed, they have not lost the ability to offer a personal service to smaller consultancy businesses.”
Another client celebrating a two decade partnership is Alexander James, a tailored equestrian and countrywear manufacturer. Champion Accountants have now worked with two generations of the family, and helped the company develop new ways of working over the years. Most recently, Champion has assisted and advised with the introduction of Xero, a new accounting software for SMEs.
Alan Little, managing director of Alexander James, said: “There are aspects of running a business that I need help with and Champion provide that service, so that I can concentrate on the other parts of my business.
“We’ve built relationships over the years with members of Champion staff, I know who can help me with a particular query and can phone them up personally.”
Scott-Grant, a specialised productivity consultancy and training company based in Manchester but providing services across 40 countries, has worked with Champion Accountants for 35 years. Forming the partnership when Scott-Grant was an almost new start up, Champion Accountants were then actively involved with the sale to a major plc, continuing the relationship with supporting key directors’ personal affairs, before again being formally involved after an management buyout and through a subsequent corporate restructure which resulted in the current flourishing private limited company working across all business sectors.
Jonathan Hare, finance director at Scott-Grant, commented: “I have always felt that the service Champion provides is tailor-made to us. They are great at understanding our needs and providing an exemplary service with the knowledge that the rest of Champion’s services are always accessible should we need them, there is never a hard-sell.”
Ged Cosgrove, group managing partner at Champion Accountants, concluded: “Our long standing clients are testament to the relationships that our team work so hard to build and maintain. Part of our ongoing vision is to continue evolving, growing and embracing new technology, and this exact ethos is what we instil into all our clients to ensure they’ve the greatest success from start-up to sale.”
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