- "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
Businesses still struggling with late payment culture
Companies struggling with the effects of late payment are failing to take advantage of formal procedures and are putting their business at risk, a new business report has warned.
The report from Graydon UK and the Forum of Private Business (FPB) found that less than half (44 per cent) of businesses questioned used credit control procedures to minimise late payment practices, despite acknowledging there were pro-active steps which could be taken to avoid significant business difficulties.
Over half (51 per cent) of businesses cited that late payment of trade invoices was a problem, with 23 per cent saying it had become a 'serious' problem, and one in six admitting they have almost been put out of business as a result.
The research also highlights the 'domino effect' of late payment through the supply chain, with 56 per cent of respondents who did not receive payment on time saying they were unable to pay their own suppliers on time as a result. Just under half of those surveyed said that late payment had eroded profits and undermined their ability to invest in growth through innovation.
According to the FPB, businesses are failing to utilise credit control procedures, saying that those who do so are much less likely to suffer as a result. This may include offering prompt payment incentives and charging interest to late payers. Those who implemented safe-guards such as reserve funds to offset late payments (43 per cent) and cash flow software (43 per cent) found they were much less likely to suffer.
Phil Orford, chief executive of the FPB, said: "The research shows just how damaging the late payment of invoices is for small firms across every sector. It decimates cash flow, kills growth and innovation and ultimately forces businesses to the wall."
The FPB said that communication and support for business owners on how to minimise late payment was key. It also said that large corporations needed to commit to paying suppliers on time, so that capital could move freely down the supply chain.
The report's findings were discussed this week at a House of Commons summit which was attended by Graydon UK, the FPB, business MPs and the Association of Chartered Accountants (ACCA).
The Government has been criticised over its late payment legislation policy which sceptics believe has failed to work.
Graydon spokesman, Gordon Skaljak, said: "The business community and the Government must join forces to protect companies by stamping out the UK's late payment culture."