We use Larking Gowen for the weekly payrolls for two companies and have done so for over a year. Despite a weekly deadline, Keith Davies and his team always deliver and keep us in order regarding any missing information. We could not be happier with the service provided.

Jim Good
Satellite Protection Services Ltd
PLT Anti-Marketing Ltd

We have utilised the Larking Gowen payroll services for 5 years and have never regretted the decision to outsource this area. The efficiency, accuracy and cooperation of Larking Gowen staff is excellent and all at a true value for money rate.

Andrew Kitchen
ERAS Ltd

Dear Jon

Following the recent completion of the Timchris reorganization, I just wanted to place on record our appreciation of the advice and assistance provided by you and your colleagues at Larking Gowen. This was a transaction of very great importance to the family, with substantial amounts involved and difficult legal and taxation issues including a very challenging international dimension.

Your role in guiding the transaction to a successful conclusion was invaluable, and we are very grateful.

Yours sincerely,

Tim Place

I am manager of a large doctors’ practice of seven partners. When I joined the practice nine years ago I encouraged the partners to move to specialist medical accountants and Larking Gowen were the accountants we chose.

The transition proved to be smooth. The ensuing years have seen significant growth in the practice and a number of partnership changes. Throughout this time, Larking Gowen has handled both the practice accounts and the partners’ personal accounts efficiently and professionally.

I know that I can pick up the phone at any time and talk to members of staff who I know and who know me, and who will do their utmost to help in any situation. That personal touch makes all the difference.

Barbara Craddock

Over the past few years, our business has grown and developed quite extensively which has brought various issues with it along the way. Whilst the majority have been positive, it is without a doubt as a result of working with Larking Gowen, that we have been able to grow and develop the business to where it is today.

We feel that Larking Gowen really understand our business and work with us in helping us achieve our goals and, together with their all round knowledge, we now do not have to seek advice from various sources.

All in all, we are delighted with the professionalism and advice we have received.

David Hoy
Mayday

We were attracted to Larking Gowen for their pro-active approach. We were not clients of theirs but we were invited to various workshops, seminars and Business Breakfasts which we were pleased to attend

Whilst we were content with our current accountants, it was clear that we needed a modern, fresh approach. Following very encouraging initial meetings we made the decision to instruct Larking Gowen at the beginning of 2008.

Their advice and approach to our business has been invaluable and we have already seen the effects of their advice and actions taken. We would certainly have no hesitation in recommending them to other proposed clients.

Clive Hedges
FNAEA
Partner of Keys Estate Agents and Auctioneers

Dear Sirs

I’ve worked with Larking and Gowen before; when I was running a much bigger company so I knew of their strengths. But it was only recently that my present business seemed big enough to utilize their services.

What a pleasure it has been - why didn’t I make the change before? Their in-depth knowledge of so many varying subjects has helped me to reduce my tax; stopped me making financial mistakes and given me better tools and support with which to manage my business.

It is not a cost; it is an investment and a good one too!

Kevin Keable
Oilennium

Dear Larking Gowen,

My family and I have engaged Larking Gowen (and, indeed, its predecessor firm) as Chartered Accountants and Tax Advisers for as long as I can remember – possibly not far short of 50 years. In that time they have provided us with accountancy advice and drawing up accounts for our family farming partnership and for family trusts, as well as dealing with the associated tax returns. They have also given us pro-active tax advice. I have always found their partners and staff to be unfailingly efficient, knowledgeable and courteous and have no hesitation in commending the firm for this Award, given both their technical expertise and their client service.

Dear Sirs

About 11 years ago after my father died I was in need of some tax advice. As I knew of Larking Gowen from my days working on a large farm estate I went to them.

During the past 11 years I have used their services to sort out my tax affairs and since my husband became self-employed in 2000, we have had his books audited annually by them as well.

In all this time we have been treated with great courtesy and respect from Mr Tim Angell, who deals with our affairs. His letters/telephone calls are always informative and to the point and his advice most helpful. I have never felt intimidated by him or talked down to. He is a pleasure to deal with on all matters.

I would have no hesitation in recommending him, or indeed Larking Gowen to deal with any tax or accounting matters.

I am Damien O'Conner MD of several small UK and one US Company.

We engaged Larking Gowen as our accountants just over two years ago (Sept. '04) after suffering the agonising long term frustration and cost of incompetent accountancy firms who appear myopically fee obsessed. We had had enough, no more procrastinations, complications, half baked explanations, excuses and tepid table tennis opinions, extending time and of course fees.

No longer bemused by clouds of words, words and more words in hand wringing meetings, interspersed with incessant fee bills.

Our board was now ecstatic to at last find what every business dreams of – an accountancy firm who got to grips with and contributes first hand in making a positive difference.

One of the main issues we were involved in was an Inland Revenue investigation that had inexorably mashed us to pulp over a two year period with a £90,000 assessment. We were haemorrhaging from the accountancy fees we were being charged in defending ourselves and those responsible were salivating on the proceeds. A resolution appeared counterproductive to our accountants' best interest in maintaining their fees climbing toward £100,000 in a year. We were spiralling into the ground.

LG took over with the quiet confidence of true professionals and proceeded to position their expertise and exert influence.

Entirely due to the refreshing intervention of LG, led by partner Ian Fitch and supported by senior tax advisor Roger Jones – this assessment has been whittled down by more than two thirds the original amount, along with implementing an imaginative and creative 'one off accounting charge' that have provided ongoing future benefits stored for the years ahead.

LG also got their crack team to grips with our book keeping, budgeting and business planning, analysis and forecasting with vigour and enthusiasm.

For the first time in fifteen years of being in business, I and my fellow directors are able to concentrate on what we are good at, selling and improving the service we offer, while confidently knowing we are supported by total , caring and professional financial expertise.

Only through deserving companies being proposed for and winning industry awards, will other client businesses see deserved recognition and thereby convey outstanding ability behind the scenes, that could possibly otherwise go unnoticed.

When excellence exists it should be held high as the example. If there are publicly identifiable standards and awards of meaning and value, these serve the business community at large.

Settling for mediocrity at best and total frustration at worst – when instead business leaders could have their accounting expectations exceeded and work with complimentary expertise as real partners, is the distinction of meritorious award.

I wholeheartedly propose Larking Gowen and am happy to do so in writing and or in person

Damian O'Connor

John Drake, YMCA, commented on the subject of tendering: “Because of Housing Corporation good practice, it was with reluctance the YMCA Norfolk had to re-tender for its auditing service.

Our apprehension and misgivings at the prospect of a change were totally unfounded in that the service rendered by Larking Gowen has proved outstanding. The audit was thorough without being invasive, detailed without being irksome and the suggested changes have been evolutionary not revolutionary.

As a Board of Directors we feel relief, and are more than satisfied and equipped for the challenges of the 21st Century.”