Thomas Waterworths founded the firm in 1881 and the practice now consists of seven partners and staff of over thirty. From its offices in the centre of Blackburn, Waterworths delivers a high quality service to a wide range of clients through a business- focused departmental structure; Corporate Services, Business Services, Personal Tax and Trusts.

The Corporate Services Department
The Corporate Services Department works with businesses ranging in complexity from the small owner-managed company to the international group. We are regarded by the business and financial community as having a core competence in acting for substantial privately owned businesses, where our largest client has a turnover of £40 million. In regional business surveys we appear amongst the “Big Four” and the “Nationals”, confirming our ability to deliver a service, which is well suited to the needs of major businesses.

Whilst our clients are based predominantly in Lancashire, we do act for a number of Groups with remote subsidiary companies, both in the UK and abroad in Europe and America. Consequently, we have an established network of correspondent firms who carry out for us, locally, such procedures are necessary – for example stock-take attendances or asset verification work. Conversely we act for the UK interests of overseas companies.

The department looks after the total needs of our large corporate clients, including those which are subject to statutory audit. Whilst the department provides audit, accountancy, corporate tax and other compliance services, it also delivers a range of specialist services such as investigations, “due diligence” reviews, forecasting and corporate finance advice.

The department also offers a business development service which involves long term business strategy, the development of systems and the use of commercial and marketing techniques previously considered to be outside the scope of the traditional accountant’s role. In addition the department looks after the financial affairs of unincorporated organisations, which operate in a regulated environment, such as Pension Funds.

For further information on how the Corporate Services Department can help you, contact Graham Wilson or Alan Rowntree.

The Business Services Department
The department looks after the total needs of our smaller corporate and unincorporated clients, where the emphasis is on accounting support and business growth. Whilst the department provides a general accounts and business tax compliance service, it also delivers a range of specialist services including payroll and bookkeeping.

For further information on how the Business Services Department can help you, contact Peter Bridge.

The Personal Tax and Trust Department
The department, headed by our managing partner Alan Rowntree, looks after the personal tax affairs of the directors, shareholders and proprietors of our business clients and also the tax affairs of “high net worth” individuals. Leslie Bury has an acknowledged competence in the use of trusts (both UK and offshore) and other tax planning products. The department is very much involved in the preservation of personal wealth and its tax efficient transfer to successive generations. Using the latest computer systems, the department has bespoke software for the preparation and lodgment of self-assessment tax returns, and the preparation of trust accounts and returns.

For further information on how the Personal Tax and Trust Department can help you, contact Bill Campbell or Alan Rowntree.