- "In the last 20 years our business has changed considerably…and as the focus of our business has changed, Bird Luckin have moved with us."
Alex Tanner, George Tanner (Shalford) Ltd - "Bird Luckin has looked after us incredibly well for over 60 years, they are pro-active and innovational - meeting all our needs to help us achieve our aims."
Richard Stubbings, Cliffords Limited - "I can honestly say that Bird Luckin are the best firm of accountants and auditors I have ever dealt with - and I don't say that lightly!"
Colin Webb, Walthamstow Stadium - "It's important for us to know that we will always be able to contact the right people to give us the right advice and support."
Jane Bennett, Bennetts Funeral Directors - "Although we deal mainly with one Partner … we also know that if we need to contact someone else who is a specialist in another area, we can get the advice we need quickly and easily"
Jeremy Ruggles, J.S. Wright & Sons Ltd - "Bird Luckin got us to a stage which would have taken us months - if not years - to reach on our own, and they got us there in a matter of weeks"
Matthew Sullivan, SNC Ltd - "You can be a good accountant, but if you don't have an understanding of the industry it can be very difficult. "There are two or three people we have regular contact with at Bird Luckin who know our business well, and it makes a difference.""
Robert Church, W A Church (Bures) Ltd - "The work which Bird Luckin has done for Boddingtons over the past few months has helped shape our future direction for the better."
John Warner, Chief Executive, Boddingtons Ltd - "Bird Luckin has acted for us since our inception 10 years ago. They have a very 'can do' yet highly professional attitude - we are very appreciative of their support and advice over the years."
Marlon Fox, Outlook Property Ltd
Prevent theft in the workplace
Theft in the workplace can be a real problem for small businesses and can seriously affect your profitability. As an employer you need to protect yourself against this unpleasant fact of life.
Below is a list of precautions you can take:
- Make sure all monies coming in and going out are dealt with by different employees
- Randomly check deliveries, both to your business and to your customers
- Monitor the petty cash fund
- Question excessive amounts of voids, credits, or damage claims
- Never accept photocopies of invoices, delivery notes, etc.
- Investigate unusual occurrences such as missing documents or unexplained absences during the working day
- Tell your staff to pay only for goods received, and remind them not to pay for goods that have not been ordered, even if an invoice is provided
- Change locks and computer passwords periodically
- As a last resort, if you do discover theft in your business, consider prosecution - experts believe it works as a strong deterrent to others
Failure to implement controls indicates the potential for a serious problem. Overly rigid controls, on the other hand, can create an oppressive atmosphere and hinder both productivity and creativity.
Be sensitive with your employees, and try to nurture a climate of co-operation against crime - your profitability could depend on it!