The Campaign Company, a communications consultancy, sought the firm’s advice for the next stage of the company’s growth.

According to chief executive Peter Watt: “We needed to move from a hands-off to a hands-on approach. We needed an expert - someone with an understanding of our business who could provide strategic financial advice and help us to grow bigger and better.

“The Campaign Company was very much ‘our baby’ and at the time the Board was wary about bringing in external help. Within a matter of weeks, our fears were allayed and the firm soon became a trusted adviser.

“Because of the guidance and direction we’ve been given, we’re now better at controlling our costs, developing profit and managing projects more efficiently. We now have solid financial forecasting in place and have introduced a profit-share scheme. Every month the firm takes our financial accounts and turns them into everyday language, which I can present to shareholders. It’s fantastic what they’ve done for our business.”

Media Bounty was founded in 2008 by Jake Dubbins, Emma Tozer and Matt Webster. The company provides competitions, video content, reader offers and ISDN interviews to a range of media, including newspapers, magazines and radio stations.
 
Media Bounty had a frantic two weeks to set up their business, but shared the burden by enlisting our help.
 
Emma Tozer recollects: “From the very outset, the firm was there to help us set up our entire business. As well as helping with our payroll, they secured our domain names and registered us for VAT, as well as looking after the accounts. They went to some trouble to explain everything to us in layman’s terms and so kept things simple.
 
“It seems to me that these aren’t your typical accountants. Offering the complete package of support for an SME, they’re happy to provide advice whenever you need it – even if it happens to be a Saturday night! Thanks, in part to them, our first year has been a successful one. They are very much a part of our business.”

Hudson & Yorke is a specialist telecommunications and network services consultancy. Originally with a small, local accountancy firm, their rapid growth soon called for a more comprehensive range of services.

Director of finance, Mike Newlove explains: “We needed a business partner who shared our ethos: medium sized but highly professional. We met with SSH and not only were they able to offer everything we needed but there was an immediate cultural fit and meeting of minds. Their team now helps us in a range of areas including bookkeeping, management accounts and monthly directors’ meetings.

"Along with guidance on current financial legislation, they also provide advice on how to manage our finances. They are extremely responsive and we never have to wait long for replies to our calls and emails. We trust their opinions and appreciate that they make every effort to understand our complex business.

"So far, not only have they delivered everything we’ve asked for but they also help us to generate new ideas. I would definitely recommend them to other businesses.”

Webwear is a clothing manufacturer born out of a large holding company that suffered financial problems in 2005.

“We’ve never looked back,“ said managing director, Gavin Wise. “The firm has a fantastic understanding of both our business and our market sector.

“They were nothing short of instrumental in setting us up. Using their contacts and expertise we obtained working capital finance within a week. At the time, we had no accountancy infrastructure, just the bare bones of a business, but the firm was able to develop a model to present to the bank. They even sourced our telephone and computer systems leaving us to focus on our customers whilst they handled everything else.

“Using the firm is cheaper than employing an in-house team, and we feel we get great value. The team is always available and they get the job done – it’s almost as if they treat our business as their own. Webwear continues to grow year on year but we couldn’t have achieved all that we have without their help.”

Global Reach Partners are commercial foreign currency brokers. As the company grew more complex, it became clear they needed an accountancy firm who could provide a more sophisticated service.

MD Mark Smith-Halvorsen summarises: “Our company was formed in 2001 but as our services became more complicated, it became clear we needed an accountancy firm that could fully understand our business. Our original accountants, recognising our increasing complexity, referred us on to the firm.

“Since then, they have undoubtedly helped us to grow. They have suggested new business targets and ways of expanding our market position. There are a range of areas such as the preparation of monthly financial accounts and quarterly forecasting where their input is invaluable. Our business is complex but they have gone out of their way to understand it.

"I would recommend them, and I often do. We have worked together for a number of years and I have passed their details to many businesses looking for growth and the right strategic direction.”

Global Transport Forum provides high-quality technical and operational conferences for senior professionals from the rail, metro and airport industries.

Non-Executive Director Piers Bearne comments: “Our firm initially used the services of a local accountant, but as the company grew we needed help on a wider range of services. I took the recommendation of a lawyer I know and appointed Shelley Stock Hutter in 2008. SSH now advises on a range of issues including tax planning, personal tax returns and management accounts. They also handle the payroll and all compliance work. Outsourcing this has meant the senior management are able to focus on core aspects of the business. It also means we do not have to hire a Finance Director.

“What differentiates SSH is they are big enough to be heavyweight with organisations such as HMRC, yet small enough to understand my business. SSH offers quality advice and their understanding of our business has been impressive and quick. The level of advice has been a quantum leap upwards. They go above and beyond what they need to do - I am genuinely delighted with SSH.”

The PRCA has endorsed Shelley Stock Hutter making it the first medium-sized practice approved to offer services to their membership. PRCA Director General Francis Ingham commented: "We have launched a list of suppliers that our members recommend for different services. SSH was recommended time and again for everything from business planning and structuring to formulating appropriate fee arrangements. I'm delighted to endorse them and the work they do for our members".
 
This endorsement reflects SSH’s position as a leading adviser to the PR and marketing sector. Over the years, SSH has advised companies on many issues including cost cutting, project costing, merging and selling. Partner Bobby Lane has a broad knowledge of the sector having advised PR firms for over 12 years and from the late 90’s worked as a Finance Director for an international PR firm. Craig Leviton Director of LLM Communications states: “We appointed the firm to act for us in various ways based on their in depth and detailed knowledge of the sector. They were able to add value at all stages of our relationship and were available 24/7. They really were the extension of our team”.

Specialist financial services PR consultancy, Quill PR needed a new accountancy firm when their existing accountant announced his retirement. Following a recommendation by a business colleague, Shelley Stock Hutter was asked to take part in a beauty parade.
 
According to Quill Managing Director Fiona Harris: “Shelley Stock Hutter stood out from the others we saw. The firm clearly understood the challenges of running a small business and had experience of working with companies like ours in the media sector.
 
“Perhaps more importantly was the chemistry. We felt an immediate sense of trust, which is vital when you think how closely advisors work with a business. What differentiates Shelley Stock Hutter is how entrepreneurial they are with their thinking. They immediately became an additional resource for us. We work together well and see Shelley Stock Hutter as a valuable part of our team.
 
“We can call on them any time and they are always available. I would certainly recommend them.”