Accountancy

Andy, Jo and their team have provided Merlin with first-class audit and Corporation Tax advice for over 20 years. This has allowed the business to develop from an upwardly mobile SME through to its current position as a profitable subsidiary of a US quoted company. Our relationship has always been conducted on a friendly yet thoroughly professional basis with services delivered in a timely and cost-effective way.

Shorts have been with us since 1969 when the business was founded by my step father, Ray Harper. Throughout this period, they have been a valued member of our wider management team, offering well thought through strategic advice, as well as helping us with accounting and taxation matters.

Andy Irvine is the partner that looks after our business and I am continually impressed by the enthusiasm and interest that he shows in our business and its future plans. As we have grown our needs for support and advice have changed and Shorts have grown with us. Andy ensures that we receive an integrated, seamless service whether it be advice on pensions, capital allowances, additional funding needs or inheritance tax.

Over the past couple of years, Shorts have provided a lot of advice. There has been advice on computing, what production software I should use to control the shop floor, and we’ve had a lot of advice on the business strategy moving forward. And, as we have a very small board of directors, there isn’t actually a lot of opportunity for debate. Shorts come in and that provides a sound board for me to discuss various options of strategy, the pros and cons of each one. And that’s a relationship that works very well.

We’ve worked with Shorts for over 20 years and over that time we’ve become very closely involved with one another's businesses. It’s very important that they know our ethos as a business, understand how the company operates and the people in the business so that they can give us good advice. We trust them and part of that trust is knowing the ethos at Shorts which is also being a very prudent company whilst being bang up to date with all their advice they also offer.

Criterion Packaging first engaged the services of Shorts over 20 years ago.

Initially, we were given assistance obtaining finance and banking facilities which was invaluable in the early stages of our development. I have always found the advice and guidance provided to be reliable and objective, providing a trustworthy basis upon which to make decisions. Over the years, Shorts have formed a deep understanding of our business, giving us absolute confidence in the advice we receive.

The audit is always completed promptly and efficiently to match our tight schedule requirements and they continue to offer advice on business and investment matters. Their independent advice has been invaluable to our business and I would not hesitate to recommend their services

Shorts give their customers an excellent personal service. They are always at the end of the phone and willing to help whenever the need arises. We particularly value their professionalism and the personable nature in which they conduct their business. If I had to describe Shorts in three words, I’d say they’re a professional company that’s approachable and engaged.

Throughout the many years’ that our affairs have been looked after by Shorts we have sought their advice on many occasions. The long standing relationship which exists between our firms has created a foundation of trust and we have confidence that whenever we need sound, reliable and timely advice, the solution is always a telephone call away.

Over the years we have maintained regular dialogue, often using Shorts as a ‘sounding board’ to discuss ideas and planning opportunities. The nature of our business means that we have sought their advice in a variety of areas and have always found their staff to be friendly and approachable.

From assisting with the implementation of our very first computerised accounting system many years ago, and implementing management systems we can rely on, to more recently guiding us through the complex VAT issues relating to property transactions, we have no hesitation in approaching Shorts whatever our requirements.