Barlow Andrews have been our accountants for over ten years. We moved to them as a partnership but in 2010, after receiving advice from Barlow Andrews, we moved into a limited company. Recently we have acquired a business that operates in the same sector as ourselves and, once again, we were advised and assisted by Barlow Andrews in the transaction. On both occasions we found that Barlow Andrews provided quality advice on a timely basis and in a manner which ensured we understood the key issues of the transaction. This service from our accountants provides the confidence we need when making these key business decisions. ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­

I moved my accounting requirements to Barlow Andrews following a friend’s recommendation. My original accountant, an excellent sole practitioner, had retired, and I was unhappy with the firm to which I’d transferred. I considered half a dozen recommendations from all over the country. I chose Barlow Andrews because I was put through straightaway to a partner to discuss my request, and I was very impressed by Mark Pearson. My first impression was of someone who was pleasant, competent, sensible and responsible – and that has been borne out by my experience. I am really happy with the professionalism of Mark Pearson and Barlow Andrews because:

– If I have a query, I always receive a personal response by phone or email which is intelligent, knowledgeable, friendly, calm and measured.

– I don’t have to be passed around half a dozen people, but have a single expert point of contact, with someone I like and respect. If he’s not around when I call, I get a helpful ‘real person’ who will take a message in a friendly and competent way.

– The work is done to sensible timescales – I’m not a ‘last minute’ person and hate to be running up to the wire on deadlines.

– The fees are good value.

– The firm’s competence has been shown in my first set of company accounts, where it was picked up that my previous accountants had made a £6,000 error

– Mark Pearson has been happy to help with wider advice, not just basic tax returns, for example liaising with my solicitor about issues around my uncle’s estate. This is so helpful, and it’s so restful to know that one has a really competent professional on whom to rely.

– I’m not local to Bolton and I hoped this wouldn’t be a problem with electronic and phone communications. In practice it has worked just as well as if I lived in the same town.

– I have also asked Mark Pearson for recommendations for other professionals and have been really pleased with these too – good people know good people!

In summary, I am really pleased with my experience of using Mark Pearson and Barlow Andrews because the service has been friendly, personal, competent and professional. I would recommend them to anyone.

Whittle Pharmacies joined Barlow Andrews when we purchased our first 3 pharmacies in 1998. Alan Smith and the team have looked after this family business ever since. They’ve guided us with our business growth, to where we are today. As with all businesses in the turbulent economic times, we’ve had ups and downs, but Alan can draw upon his own experience, and that of his colleagues. We’ve learned a lot, but importantly, that we can rely on the team to answer our queries in a timely, courteous and accurate manner. When we needed it, they have also provided management accounts services, assisted with the payroll to cover staff maternity and also helped in recruiting our accounts manager. Alan guided us through a significant re-structuring and attended bank meetings with us to support our discussions. The service has always been personal and professional. They are always there whenever we need them. As well as being an efficient machine, they are all really nice people to do business with.

Barlow Andrews have acted as our accountants for just under 10 years. During this period they have provided the normal compliance based services which you would expect from a local firm of accountants and have done so on an efficient and timely basis. They also provide our company with a financial management service to which we attach a great deal of importance. On a quarterly basis, they enquire into, summarise and then present the management accounts to the Board. This gives us the opportunity to discuss and understand financial performance, which greatly assists us in our management of the business. The summary financial reports are also sent to our bankers who also value the input from Barlow Andrews. We greatly value the contribution that Doug Barden makes to the development of James Robertshaw and highly recommend Barlow Andrews. ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­

Many thanks once again David, always a great weight off my shoulders knowing you are in charge of my books – maths was never my strong point! Business is so much more on an even keel now – unlike the early years!! Thanks for taking all the stress off and especially for the sound advice and support you gave me in those early days.

Jo is providing an excellent service. We are a complicated bunch and have demanded a lot from her in recent weeks; she has been fantastic.