- "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
HMRC record checks defy red tape reduction plans
HMRC has been accused of defying the Government's own attempts to reduce red tape by ramping up its business record checks.
The checks, which will affect 20,000 small and medium-sized businesses in 2012/13, are adding to the red-tape that is already throttling businesses, the Forum of Private Business (FPB) claims.
According to the FPB, HMRC's SME strategy warns of an increase in 'potential rule breakers' between now and 2015, estimating that 28 per cent of SMEs could be found to have poor records. Failure to produce adequate records could result in fines of up to £3,000.
But rather than fines, these businesses, that are already facing difficult trading conditions, should be offered better advice, guidance and support, the FPB claims.
Commenting, the Forum's chief executive Phil Orford said: "Small businesses want to keep proper records but struggle with the significant administrative barriers that exist in the UK. They also want to pay their tax bills on time but the reality is that many firms are struggling with cash flow in extremely tough economic conditions - yet HMRC is being completely inflexible.
"Entrepreneurs are crying out for a better tax regime that supports their ambitions and is conducive to growth, not one that provides constant hurdles to overcome and punishes them disproportionately.
"Operating such a strict, punitive small business records checks regime while effectively allowing large companies to do as they please is completely unfair."
The FPB is not the only organisation to criticise HMRC's actions, particularly following the recent revelations that large corporations have had their tax bills reduced by millions.