AGP Chartered Accountants

Accountancy and audit have been the daily business of AGP Chartered Accountants for a long time, from three offices in Runcorn, Warrington and Chester. The firm is a chartered practice and registered auditor, and its clients are spread across Cheshire, North Wales and the wider North West, Merseyside included, from new ventures to established firms.

Accounts for every kind of business

The preparation of accounts is a staple. The firm handles them for sole traders, partnerships, limited companies, limited liability partnerships and charities, and it helps clients meet their obligations to HMRC, Companies House and any other regulator they report to. Management accounts are offered too, on the argument that they give owners more control by exposing problems and opportunities soon after they arise. Bookkeeping and administration support is available for owners who would rather spend their time on operations.

What an audit adds

Audit is presented as a high level of independent assurance about the financial position and results of an organisation. It gives shareholders confidence that reported performance is accurate and gives outside users reassurance that the accounts show a true and fair view. The firm describes several ways in which an audit lends credibility to a set of company accounts.

A team for charities

A separate charities and not-for-profit team works with organisations from small local groups to large national networks. Alongside audits and independent examinations it prepares statutory accounts, keeps books, runs payroll, prepares VAT returns and supports trustees and volunteers.

Payroll bureau and tax planning

The payroll bureau is pitched as a part-time payroll manager at a fraction of the cost of an internal one, and its list of tasks includes payslips and P45s, year-end returns, statutory maternity and sick pay, student loan deductions, BACS transfers to staff and pension auto-enrolment. On tax, the firm says corporation tax can be a large cost if it is not planned well, and that it takes a holistic approach whether the client is a medium-sized business, an international organisation or a small owner-operator. For individuals it offers reviews of personal tax, noting that a simple check can reveal savings.

How the firm describes itself

It says it applies the same attention to detail whatever the size of the client, from one-person businesses to larger companies, and calls its people its principal asset. Its slogan speaks of a fresh approach to building a better business.