Online holiday agent Travel World sells holidays and cruises to travel-loving consumers. Key to its operations are licences awarded by I.A.T.A., A.B.T.A. and A.T.O.L./CAA, and so in order to trade, Travel World must meet strict criteria from these organisations.
Prior to Champion Accountants’ appointment, audits were causing wide reaching business disruption. Served by another accounting firm, director Paul Edge felt that Travel World’s audit fell low on their list of priorities: “The challenge of operating as an SME in our industry is that our auditing deadlines are absolutely critical, but we felt like a small client to this firm. Year after year, our audits were completed right up to the wire of our license renewal deadline – leaving us to complete the application in a high stake, high stress situation.”
To operate in this industry, travel agents must appoint an auditor pre-approved by the CAA. Recognising Champion’s group managing partner, Ged Cosgrove, on a list of approved auditors, Paul picked up the phone.
Champion audit partner Mark Turner and audit manager Gary Woodall were quick to meet with Paul and discuss his requirements. Paul expands: “I wanted an auditor that could be quick, professional, and painless. We don’t have the luxury of stopping work, and our in-house team ensures that our accounts are clean, transparent, and robust, and so I hoped to find an auditor who would ask pertinent questions and keep input from our side to the absolute minimum.”
Demonstrating a full understanding of the brief and the importance of the deadline at play, Champion was swiftly appointed, and our team quickly set to work behind the scenes.
Paul continues: “I left them to do what they do best, and by the end of August – a month ahead of our deadline – the audit was complete. They understood our business completely and supported us without inhibiting us. We have never had an audit completed so quickly and with such little disruption.”
With a job well done, Champion has welcomed a new regular client to its books. “I have no intention of moving elsewhere,” concludes Paul. “The Champion team is friendly, proficient, competent, and respectful.”
To find out more about audits with Champion Accountants, visit https://www.championgroup.co.uk/services/compliance/audit/ or call 0161 703 2500.
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