In this section of the website, we introduce you to one of our firms. Up next is Hugh Davies & Co, run by Director Hugh Davies and his team. Read his answers to our questions to get to know him and the firm.
What do you like about working for your firm?
“I like helping and advising small business clients.”
What are in your words the strengths of your firm?
“The personal service that we give to our clients is exceptional. We have a great team and make ourselves available and respond to any queries very promptly. Most of our clients are small businesses and have similar needs and concerns so we are able to give them pretty much what they want.”
“We were early adopters of Xero cloud accounting and a lot of our clients use this, and we are able to provide training in how to make the best of this software. Another key strength is tax planning. We help our clients to structure their affairs to avoid paying more tax than they need to – within the rules of course!”
“If you keep on doing what you have always done you will keep on getting what you have always got.”
Hugh Davies, Director
What is the most valuable lesson you have learned at your firm?
“You always need to talk to your clients. It’s fatal to assume that you know what they want. Clear communication about accounts and figures is absolutely vital. Their circumstances and priorities may change over time, so talking helps to inform us how we can adjust what we do to help them best.”
What is the most rewarding experience you have had at your firm so far?
“During the pandemic we started giving regular updates to clients regarding the availability of grants and how to claim them. I also invited any client to book a fifteen minute phone call to discuss anything they were bothered about. At a time when lots of businesses had ceased communications altogether, we got a lot of appreciation for that.”
What result you achieved for a client, are you most proud of?
“We incorporated an organic farming partnership as a limited company a couple of years ago. The timing was perfect and has saved a lot of tax and prevented clawback of tax credits. The client likes being a limited company and has given his key workers some shares. We also moved them over to Xero which enables them to control and monitor the business more effectively. A happy client!”
“I see our firm developing as an ’employee-led organisation’ that works with other firms in co-operation, rather than in competition.”
Hugh Davies, Director
What is your favourite statement that you regularly use when advising your clients?
“If you keep on doing what you have always done you will keep on getting what you have always got.”
How do you see the future of your firm from your perspective?
“I see our firm developing as an ’employee-led organisation’ that works with other similarly minded firms in co-operation, rather than in competition. The power and leverage of sharing should lead to increases in productivity and a wider service offering which should ultimately benefit our clients.”