About Hornbeam

History

I formed Hornbeam Management Services on 1 July 1992 to provide integrated accountancy services to  East Anglian businesses. From the start we have had particular strength in providing integrated, bureau 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 intense knowledge of the business we are often involved in strategic planning, budgeting, tax planning, sales and acquisitions, and succession planning. It must say something that four of our earliest clients are now four of our largest and most prosperous clients.

For other firms we provide support and training for client’s bookkeeping and accountancy staff, helping them to keep a tight control over their systems, and thus reduced costs of accountancy and audit, and better financial management of their businesses.

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 without the inclination to keep their own records we often find that the reduced annual accountancy charge combined with enhanced confidence that PAYE and VAT are being correctly accounted makes our bureau service good value for money. (Click here to read more about Hornbeam Bureau Services)

I lost the story after the first line, I’m glad you are still with me. Anyway I am not a salesman and I had very little success in developing our core bureau services, although I know there is still a huge market out there.

So, whilst the integrated bureau service failed to attract many new clients, conventional accountancy work grew (by recommendation mainly) quite rapidly. 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 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. (more about Accountancy Services)   (more about Tax Services)

In the meantime we obtained an audit licence in 1996 and have slowly expanded that side of the business (Click here to read more about Hornbeam 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 has overseen the rapid growth in the taxation side of the business.

In July 2003 Hornbeam acquired the tax practice of Michael Blackburn, bringing expertise in various aspects of international taxation, trusts, estates and much else into the firm.  Expansion since that time has been rapid and has been underpinned by the employment of two qualified 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 they are now both 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 our selves 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, Nicky or myself if you have any queries using the details on the Contact Us page.

 

Phil Needham

January 2007