'I agree that we are in much better shape than a year ago - record keeping etc. - thanks to the efforts of you and your team. When I took the decision to outsource the accounting work, I expected to reduce costs and strengthen the control environment, I have not been disappointed'
Neil French
Director
'I am very happy to have had the support of Alliotts accountants since we became an Academy. They are helpful, always do what they say they will do and on the end of the phone if I have a query. They give me all the support I need as school business manager and, having only initially planned to use them for Year 1 of our change to academy status, we have now decided to continue to use them on an ongoing basis as we feel it really is money well spent to have their support and knowledge to guide us’
Cathy Whiting
Ravensbourne School, Kent
'We are very happy with the service we have received from Alliotts accountants. As our annual auditors, their team do a thorough and professional job ensuring that all deadlines are met. If I have issues during the year, I know that I can pick up the phone directly to Steve Meredith, the Partner at Alliotts and ask for advice. I would recommend Alliotts to other Academies looking for quality, professional financial support’
Pallavi Shah
The Alec Reed Academy, London
'As Business Manager for The Bishop Wand School, my role covers a large range of areas including HR and legal as well as finance.I need to be able to deal with an accountancy firm that will provide clear and concise guidance and be available for advice whenever I need it.We appointed Alliotts over and above other larger firms precisely because we felt that they would be able to offer us a more personal service.I know that I can pick up the phone and speak to Steve Meredith directly if I need advice and guidance on a particular issue which is exactly what I need to be able to do’
Lynne Denny
Business Manager
'Rosemary has assisted us throughout 2012 in several areas of HR and most recently by helping us plan and manage change within our organisation. Rosemary is extremely knowledgeable and is always on hand to support us whenever we need her assistance, always offering spot on advice. She is a great communicator, builds rapport easily and we really enjoy working with her. We are already reaping the benefits of the excellent work Rosemary has been doing with us and we will definitely be continuing the relationship into the future.’
Sara Sawdy
Director
Universal Marking Systems Ltd
'We’ve been with Alliotts for many years. They offer a highly professional and practical management accounting service and are also responsible for our audit. Being a Not For Profit organisation, we particularly appreciate their expertise in our sector which marks them out from the rest. They’re very accessible and our relationship is a strong partnership with an excellent two-way dialogue.’
Peter Quantrill
Director General
BIFA
‘Alliotts have been working with Kings Canterbury for more than 10 years now and the partner we deal with is absolutely exceptional in being so accessible and hugely knowledgeable.
He has helped streamline our accounting and advised us on looking at practical things like stock levels, IT systems and operating modes. All this has saved us money.
What I really appreciate too is the clarity of thinking and the fact that we don’t hesitate to pick up the phone and ask for advice.
Top marks!’
Mark Taylor
Bursar
Kings School Canterbury
'Alliotts and Fredericks Foundation worked extremely well together preparing the 2010-11 Annual Report.
We found them to be proactive, supportive and extremely helpful
They have advised us how to be more efficient and hopefully that will not only save time but also save us money in the future.’
George Halford
Finance Director
Fredericks Foundation
'Alliotts have added value.They’ve come up with fresh ideas and are very good at explaining things. They’re also very friendly and work well with us as a team.’
Ros Pitts
Administrator
Pathological Society of Great Britain
‘Alliotts are professional, friendly and proactive in the right quantity.
They give us strategic advice and have carried out a review of our accounting with targets to achieve. This will make our systems more secure and our administration more structured and focused.
They’re easy to approach and always willing to lend support and give advice.
At the end of the day they’re very professional but also have a friendly family feel.’
Arthur Donaldson MBE
Trustee
The Police Dependents Trust
We’ve been using Alliotts for more than 20 years for our accountancy and audit work, and in the past three years they’ve also been doing the payroll.
Overall, the service is professional and very friendly and I value their expertise – which is all the more important as many accountants lack the specialist knowledge and experience of charity accounts, which we require.
Peter Coulson,
General Secretary
Seaman's Hospital Society
We've been using Alliotts as our auditors for over six years now and they're accessible, approachable and very generous with their time.
They work well with us as a team and have a good grasp of our business.
From time to time they have made helpful observations on our systems and processes that have been very positive and most useful.The fact that Alliotts have allocated the same audit partners to us throughout has been enormously helpful in terms of continuity. We are very happy with the service they provide to our organisation'.
Mary Rose
Chief Executive
Independence at Home
Many thanks for all the help, advice and excellent service over the last year.
Ron Munro
Director
Burgundy Project Services Limited.
I have to say that having run my own in house payroll for many years, and used more than one agency/bureau in recent times, the service I have had from Alliotts is second to none. Alliotts would be my first recommendation to a business looking to outsource their payroll function. Please pass on my thanks to all your colleagues.
Director of Finance for a company creating fine furniture
for over 100 years that has 70 employees.
Following a long career in banking, I was invited to join one of my former customers as Managing Director. My banking experience made me aware of the benefits that a really switched on firm of accountants could bring to a SME and I quickly defined the criteria that I wanted from a new firm.
Accessibility – I wanted to be able to talk to the right person in the firm who could then provide solutions and help me to brainstorm new ideas giving me the comfort that there was a friendly ear whenever I needed it.
Auditing – I wanted a prompt, timely and unobtrusive service and one that would help me to improve the running of the business.
Tax and Corporate advice – I wanted a proactive, constructive service and to be confident that the chosen firm could handle the more complex matters.
Fees – I wanted transparency, value for money and no hidden surprises...
Well, what did I get when I appointed Alliotts? Firstly and most important a partner (Richard Hopes) who has become a friend who I can call at any time and who I treat as an extension to our management team. I have where necessary direct access to the Tax Department, HR team, and Corporate Finance team as well as the personal tax staff. I also have their direct lines so getting in touch is easy.
The Audit process is quick and efficient as is production of accounts which gives time for tax planning.
Alliotts, through their International network have contacts with similar calibre firms in many countries throughout the world which facilitates expansion abroad or even just getting some local information on trading or tax. They also have a financial services arm which can provide independent advice on pensions, mortgages, life assurance etc.
Fees – I receive what I asked for and as an additional benefit pay the fees monthly by Standing Order so cash flow can be managed.
You can count their promises, they do deliver!
John Wrigley
Director
New Way International Limited
Ian Gibbon and his team at Alliotts provide MercuryMedia with an exemplary accounting service. Their input into our business has helped Mercury grow, attract new investment and thrive (in an otherwise difficult trading environment). We recommend Alliotts unreservedly.
Tim Sparke
Chief Executive
MercuryMedia International Ltd
Rosemary I would like to say many thanks for yesterday, the presentation and information on recruitment and lawful selection was just what we were looking for. The feedback I have been given by the others was that they found it extremely useful and informative.
Amanda Fries
Office Manager
Hicom Technology
I just wanted to say a big thank you to your team. The payroll service you provide is excellent.
Jon Ward
Managing Director
Severn Consultancy (UK) Ltd
I would like to record how pleased we were with the audit team. Due to other commitments in the office when they were here the position wasn’t easy, but they worked around the situation very well.
On a personal note both were very nice people to have in our building and they are welcome back at any time.
From a professional viewpoint they are both sharp and probed on all the important matters. I would expect nothing less from professional auditors.
Keith Rentall
Financial Director
UNIPOWER Europe Ltd
"We are very pleased with the excellent level of service your firm has provided. You and your team are commended for the quality of the work, professionalism, responsiveness and positive approach adopted.
We believe we made the right choice in selecting Alliotts as our audit firm.
We look forward to building upon our business relationship"
Ian Sandbach, CFO, Kognitio Ltd
Competitive Advantage from Data
It has been very comforting to have your expertise, and that of your colleagues in past years for which Michael and I have been very grateful.
Vanessa Sharman
Again I must commend your payroll staff for excellent service
Chief Executive Officer
A leading international private bank.
I would like to thank you most sincerely for your handling of my mother's financial affairs, and indeed my father's before her. I know that both of my parents valued your contribution highly, not just as a professional advisor but also as a family friend, and I have felt similarly as I have had to take the responsibility for their affairs
C J Sage
Jon came highly recommenced for his professionalism and his expertise. Although we have only known him a short while he has become a very valued person in our lives.
Jon and Colin (Pritchard Englefield) have genuinely and undoubtedly been the best professional support that Mum needed during this case.
Their patience and empathy have been second to none.
Jenny Wan
When a grenade goes off in ones life it is very difficult to know where the pieces will fall but at long last the smoke is beginning to clear and I can see my way forward. In some part this process is down to your assistance, support and help over the last 12 months or so and I much appreciate this. Thank you for your steady and calm attention. I particularly appreciate the fact that your were able to assist me at relatively short notice on many occasions.
D R Bebington
Robert Bebington & Company
On behalf of our whole team at Independence at Home I would like to say how grateful we are to yourself, Jackie and Nick for your willingness to offer advice and help which has always been very much appreciated.
Dhruv Pandya, Chief Financial Officer, Independence at Home
...Thank you and the team for another year of good service...
Director of Finance, A Top 10 international Law firm .
The White Light Group has been audited by Alliotts for 6 years now. We have continued to be impressed at the quality of the staff, the continuity of the audit team and the professionalism of all at Alliotts. This year our audit deadline was tighter than ever before, but this was met with time to spare and with no compromise in standards.
The non-audit and consultancy expertise is also of a high quality.
Paul Millington, Finance Director, White Light Group
As both CEO and CFO of the Gant organisation in the UK, I had a working relationship with Alliotts London Office - Colin Farmer in particular - from the year 2000 until 2007.
During that time I found the firm extremely efficient in all manners of auditing, taxation and general business advice.
The response times to issues were extremely fast and our audited accounts for a company with a gross turnover in excess of £20m were signed within one month of the year end.
I would have no hesitation in recommending Colin Farmer and his team and have in fact done so on a number of occasions.
Joe Keefe, Chartered Accountant
Alliotts is an outstanding organisation and I cannot fault the service. The speed of response and the clarity of information required make life easier.
E Simpson, Dash Leisure
Alliotts is a superb team
John Flanders, JF Planning
Focused, he just doesn't let go, he was as committed to my goals as I was. He understood not just the numbers, but the core business, people, its customers and our aims to achieve. Such focus took us to greater levels than one could have hoped for. I wouldn't be sat here on a Friday, with a great tan, long hair and optimism for the future without Alliotts help in sealing the deal.
Richard Affleck, (Sale of Business - Drinks sector)
I would like to offer you my sincere thanks for all the help and advice that you have provided to my son. Your professional advice has been key to his success in completing his management buyout. I know that he admires your business acumen and that he considers you as both a mentor and a friend.
Anthony J Riddett speaking about Peter Guinn
Alliotts are always responsive to our needs and requests, Sudheer, Quentin and their team are knowledgeable and most professional in their approach and this is important to us as the tax and accounting services we receive from them help us to better manage our property funds.
Carlyle Real Estate
Richard is very user friendly, he delivers relevant and technically accurate advice within the appropriate commercial context, which proves invaluable to his clients.
Having worked with Richard in a professional capacity for several years I have first hand experience of his commitment to his clients and the personal, hands on service that he provides.
The Alliotts team is prompt and responsive and has the experience and expertise to provide realistic solutions to business scenarios.
Trevor Carney, Vertex Law
The best of all worlds - the presence, confidence and expertise of a large firm combined with friendliness and genuine approachability. Your service is excellent, Richard Hopes always make me feel that he is taking a personal interest in my affairs, as does David Snell.
Tricia Tappin, Partner in a Guildford based recruitment consultancy
I would like to say how much we appreciated Alliotts' input into Hydronix. I believe, thanks to you Richard (and of course David), we have an excellent relationship with your company. Your grasp of financial matters coupled with your understanding of the functioning of our company in its broader aspects makes your advice particularly relevant and helpful. We very much appreciate and enjoy the association we have with your company and long may it continue
Rolf Laffan, Chairman, Hydronix Ltd
"My involvement with ESPA/SBA is coming to an end now. I take this opportunity to thank you, Richard, for your effective services and your kind attention you always paid to the association and to me, personally. I truly enjoyed working with you over many years. No problem whatsoever which did not resolve in an effective and nice manner. Please extend my gratitude also to Dolly who did her best to serve SBA."
Volkmar Hierner, Sterile Barrier Association Ltd
"Whilst it must be difficult with any new client, particularly a construction company such as ourselves, with a number of activities which require specialist accounting treatment, the audit went very smoothly and all our deadlines were strictly observed.
It was a credit to you and your staff in the professional way that they conducted themselves while working at the office and the way that they found their way around our systems with a minimum of involvement with our staff.
I am pleased that we decided to move our audit to Alliotts and look forward to working with you again in the future."
JD Harrison, Director, Trilectric, Electrical Engineers and Contractors [Construction]
"We were concerned about the constantly changing Employment Law regulations. Despite our best endeavours, we felt that perhaps there may have been some “slippage” with our employment contacts and procedures.
We already use Alliotts payroll service and are very happy with the service we receive from Gill Marr. The next logical step was to call in the services of the Alliotts HR Manager to perform a health check of our personnel policies and procedures.
Rosemary Mashford spent almost a week with us. She provided a professional, but friendly approach to understanding our business requirements, our staffing hierarchy and our culture. She worked with my PA to provide a Statement of Main Terms and Conditions and Company Handbook tailored to our needs.
Following her visit, Rosemary produced a timely and thorough report, which is proving to be a very useful working document, and we intend to implement the recommendations contained therein as soon as possible. I suspect we may be calling Rosemary back to assist us!"
Nick Dawson, Managing Director, Bilfinger Berger BOT Ltd [Construction]
"Setting up as a small company, whose accountancy needs would vary from Annual and VAT returns to payroll, Alliotts were recommended to us by another larger accountancy firm. Since the beginning, we have been provided with a service that has met our requirements perfectly. We have been consulted on our needs in order to make the appropriate financial decisions, and as our needs have changed, Alliotts have offered suggestions and information to enable us to make the most advantageous choices. In addition, staff have always been amiable and helpful and any minor problems have been dealt with promptly and to our satisfaction.
I would have no hesitation in recommending Alliotts wholeheartedly to any company like us, who do not have the trained personnel in-house to manage their accounts."
Tina Lawlor, Project Manager, 1901 Arts Club Ltd
7 Exton Street, London SE1 8UE
"Our relationship with Alliotts goes back a long way and we are very grateful for the all the professional advice received from all staff concerned, especially from Richard Curtis.
Alliotts have constantly kept us up to date with changes that have occurred which have allowed us to plan and action for our future. Alliotts have helped us achieve our goals and most of all saved us money and helped us to be successful. Thank you to all those concerned"
Michael Tibbatts MIRCS, Tibbatts and Co. Ltd [Chartered Surveyer]
“Job well done! Thank you very much…
We would like to compliment Alliotts for the excellent professional service and guidance that we have received while in the process of the rather complicated share sale transfer (Management buy out).
Peter Guinn was very quick and efficient, an opinion also viewed by our solicitor. Moreover, Peter’s frank and transparent advice was also much respected by the buyers of the shares.
I would like to extend my thanks towards all your staff, but especially to Gill Marr and Helen Mathers who have been very efficient and friendly on the Payroll (and future BACS) side.”
Peter van Cottem, Verstegen Spices [Payroll]
“I normally regard accountants as middlemen who delight in complicating their victims lives unnecessarily. The exception are my very good friends at Alliotts who have carefully smoothed the passage of my complicated family business over the past thirty years. Life becomes understandable and simple when Alliotts are in charge.”
George E Goring OBE, chairman The Goring Hotel - London [Hotels]
“In 1997 as a Swedish citizen at that time in my mid twenties I came to London with a vision to start, from scratch, a global sports betting operation, which I called Unibet.
From my previous business in Sweden I had a contact with a local accounting firm affiliated with the Alliotts worldwide network. This firm introduced me to Alliotts in London. The London people then took me on and advised me very effectively on how to set up Unibet in a proper way; including how to apply for the required licence , setting up the structure, organisation, accounting and controls - as well as in general, on how things are done in the UK.
The people of Alliotts also closely followed the progress of the business and were instrumental in helping Unibet develop into an international group. We are now listed on the Swedish Stock Exchange with a market capitalisation in excess of £500m and annual profits of £35m. We have close to 300 employees and in-house resources for IT as well as odds compilation. On this journey Alliotts have been, and still remain, a highly appreciated and very valuable advisor.
The key benefits, which my company and I have found from our association with Alliotts have been the worldwide network of affiliates, who are able to assist with local legislation and accounting knowledge, and the close interest they have take in the progress and development of the business.”
Anders Strom, founder Unibet Group Plc [Internet Gaming]
"Alliotts were very helpful in setting up our business in the UK, and have been very instrumental in helping make the right financial decisions at the right time. As a company, Alliotts is small enough to offer a very personalised service, and big enough to offer all finance related services, in a comprehensive way."
Bertrand Rame, Tradingcom Europe Group [Telecommunications]
“Having dealt with most leading audit firms over the last 30 years, we found Alliotts and its partners the most approachable, and quite proactive in dealing with all aspects of audit and taxation matters related to our ever changing business of film production and post production facilities since 1913.”
Chief Executive, Twickenham Studios [Media]
“Alliotts provide us with accounting and tax services and, in doing so, have proved to be extremely responsive to our needs, timely and professional - in short, they deliver service at the highest level.”
Charles A. Brogan, InterDigital Communications Corporation [Telecommunications]
“Alliotts have undertaken all our accountancy, payroll and audit work since 1995 and we have found them to be an extremely professional company offering a complete range of services to assist our business growth, with a pool of experienced and helpful staff. We have no hesitation in recommending Alliotts most highly.”
Grosvenor Construction SE Ltd [Construction]
“One common factor throughout my business life has been the outstanding professional and personal advice and friendship that Alliotts and Richard Curtis personally have given me. Alliotts actions and the manner in which they have helped me far exceeds the bounds of their profession.”
Jim Jacobson, longstanding business client, now retired [Biomedical]
“We are a SME manufacturer operating in the UK with joint ventures in various locations around the globe. Our firm has recently undertaken a series of projects as part of its strategic growth.
Alliotts knowledge base and performance in these projects has been invaluable and we have been able to take a leading role in complex transactions involving many parties and tight deadlines.
The information they have provided - on financial assistance, company reorganisation tax clearances and merger & acquisition accounting - has been relied upon not only by our Directors but also by our Capital providers and Lawyers, which can only prove the quality and the accuracy of the work done. Recently we were most impressed by the fast turnaround of a financial due diligence exercise undertaken in respect of a potential acquisition.
Even though we are now part of a $100 million group, we still cherish the hand-written ledgers that Alliotts completed for us in 1970.”
Richard Tubbs, Stretchline Textiles [Manufacturing]
“A brief note to place on record our thanks for the general advice and assistance you have given our company on a regular basis.
Alliotts ability to complete our December year-end audit within such a short space of time, at a very busy period for yourselves, is commendable. The general level of service from your company is both prompt and user-friendly.
We also find that as Gant is part of an international organisation, the Alliott Group consortium has proved useful.”
Joe Keefe, Gant UK Ltd [Retail]
“We would not hesitate from recommending Alliotts. What sets them apart? Three things. Their understanding of the needs of our business. The efficiency and professionalism of their employees and the rapport they have created with us. The speed with which they respond to our specific needs and requests.”
Marc Vayssière, VP Finance and Administration, ViaMichelin [Electronic Travel Publishing]
