Case studies

See how Gordon has helped other businesses succeed.

Helping save a business from insolvency

A business was operating at a level of losses which indicated that at the current rate it could be insolvent within the next couple of years. A review of the business was undertaken which highlighted the following matters:

• Virtually all income was on a fixed contractual basis that bore no relationship to the level of service and costs involved in servicing the referred clients.
• The management accounts did not identify the costs of operating the various sections within the organisation.
• It was not known how much the various services provided to clients were costing.

The following solutions were provided:

• Budgets and management accounts were reformatted to reflect how the business operated
• New accounting software that could capture the needs of the business was identified.
• A method of costing the various services was drawn up, which indicated how income could be obtained on an ad-hoc non-referral basis.

Improving reporting and training branch staff in a multi-site organisation

The branches of a company were not reporting or accounting to its head office for the activities undertaken at the branch. No accounting staff were employed at the branches.

The following solutions were implemented:

• Accounting returns (in both manual and electronic formats) were drawn up in discussion with the branches.
• Training of branch staff was provided, highlighting what records needed to be kept in order to submit timely error-free returns to head office.

Improving financial and business reporting to key stakeholder groups

A business with a number of different, complex business activities required presentations to be made to non-finance staff in the PR/marketing department and also to staff at all levels throughout the company.

• Suitable presentation material was generated for each audience.
• Informative presentations were given in a non-technical manner highlighting the various issues facing the business.

Project managing a cost-saving restructuring

Project managing the closure of over 50 operating locations and transferring the business into 5 new centres, resulting in a saving of over £2 million per annum.

Helping reduce irrecoverable VAT by 75%

Introducing new accounting practices that enabled the business to improve its partial VAT recovery rate, thereby reducing its irrecoverable VAT by 75%.

Review and selection of new auditors for a business

A newly appointed Chief Executive wished to replace their incumbent auditors. The Chief Executive wanted the benefit of an external advisor to attend the presentations made by the bidding auditors.

New auditors were appointed following the drawing up of an audit tender to prospective auditors, rigorous questioning and an analytical review of the presentations.

For your FREE no-obligation discussion of your business needs, contact Gordon on 01491-671710 or e-mail him on info@welsbyassociates.co.uk, or fill in the contact form.