Who we are
Gascoynes prides itself on providing a high quality service delivered by a friendly and approachable team that is full of expertise and experience.
We are a Quickbooks Platinum Partner
We pride ourselves on being professional and efficient while at the same time maintaining a friendly and approachable manner.
Chris Reeve (FCA)
Managing Director
Chris has a deep-held belief that a strong and open relationship with clients backed by a high standard of service are the foundations of success. And it’s a formula that has been proven to work again and again as he has led the company through a rapid period of growth over the last four years. Joining the company as a trainee in 1991, Chris qualified as an ACCA in 1996, completed his Practising Certificate in 2002 and became a director of the company in 2006. He took control of the business in 2013 and since then has completed four further acquisitions. The company continually responds to the changing needs of its clients and the opportunities that technology brings to streamline processes. But at the same time Chris values his staff extremely highly and his team ethic has been rewarded - the core of the team have been with the company for ten years or more.
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I never look at a client as just a client, it’s a relationship that requires trust and something that builds over time.
Gwen Dearden
Consultant
Gwen has been in the accounting profession for over 37 years and over that time seen a lot of changes in not only the tax legislation but the industry itself. Gwen has always been a front runner when it comes to providing a personal touch and acting more like an extension to her clients’ business rather than an agent providing a service. This is obvious when seeing the close bond she holds with so many of her clients. Gwen has great experience in working with all sizes of business but her strengths definitely lie in small to medium businesses. Gwen together with her husband were directors and owners of Deardens accountancy practice up until early 2018 when she decided it was time to develop the practice further. Gwen found Gascoynes a perfect match in terms of the way they acted and treated their clients as well as their fundamental culture as a firm. Gwen is still very much involved in the Tharston practice as she helps with the transition of clients over to Gascoynes and will look to slowly reduce her time and make some well-deserved time for herself.
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Every day provides a different challenge, and I enjoy supporting clients to help them succeed.
Thomas Buckley-Smith (FCCA)
Client Manager
Thomas has built close and trusted working relationships with clients since joining the company in 2004, and his portfolio ranges from sole traders to partnerships and large limited companies. He particularly focuses on service charge accounts, tax and capital allowances rules, VAT and personal tax. Thomas enjoys the variety in his day, which could include introducing a client to Gascoynes’ QuickBooks online accounting system, completing a company’s corporation tax return and meeting a client to discuss how to minimise their taxation liability.
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The most rewarding part of my job is knowing I have an impact on so many successful businesses by allowing them more time to do what they love.
Mark Thurston (FCCA)
Client Manager
Mark supports his clients with their accountancy, bookkeeping and taxation needs, whilst keeping on top of new legislation to ensure they are always up to date. He particularly focuses on small limited companies and start-ups, advising on issues such as auto enrolment pensions. Mark enjoys working with people to understand their aims and objectives before making recommendations. He takes pride in supporting them through the challenges of growing a business and helping to identify opportunities to improve.
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The wealth of knowledge that we have allows us to be forward thinking with our tax advice in a way that’s most advantageous to our clients.
Ashley MacDonald (ACCA)
Client Manager
Ashley oversees the accounts and taxation affairs of a broad range of clients, from limited companies to sole traders. Gascoynes’ wide portfolio means he and his colleagues are well equipped to offer advice on tax planning and business finances. Ashley also helps to run Gascoynes’ HR, including recruitment and training, first aid, and health and safety. He says the most rewarding part of his job is when he is able to save people money.
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We are approachable and down to earth, and are happy to tailor our work to meet our clients' particular needs.
Trevor Poole (BA HONS)
Client Manager
Trevor deals with all of the accountancy and taxation requirements of his clients. He prepares Self-Assessment tax returns for the higher net worth clients, as well as being responsible for preparing Trust and Estate Tax Returns. His accountancy and taxation clients also include limited companies, partnerships and sole traders. Trevor particularly enjoys dealing with farm accounts. Trevor joined Gascoynes in 1991 and values the long-standing relationships and loyalty built up with both clients and colleagues since then. One of the most satisfying aspects of his job is unravelling the detail of a complicated set of accounts, making suggestions as to the way forward and putting the client back in charge.
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I enjoy finding the best route to allow people to take their hard-earned money out of their successful business.
David Rayner
Client Manager
David has worked in the accountancy sector since 1979, and has extensive experience of managing the accountancy and taxation affairs of a varied cross section of businesses. He offers continued support and advice to many long-term clients and takes particular satisfaction from introducing people to QuickBooks Online, Gascoynes’ preferred cloud based accountancy service, enabling them to access and update their accounts on the move.
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I enjoy dealing with so many different people, because every business and individual is unique.
Daniel Royal (ACCA)
Client Manager
Daniel’s main role as client manager is assisting clients with their accounting needs, ranging from accounts and corporation tax to VAT returns and self-assessment tax. He has been with Gascoynes since 2010 and has steadily built up his client portfolio since qualifying as a Chartered Certified Accountant in 2014. He says his colleagues make coming to work a pleasure, because they are all supportive and helpful, and share his professional focus on providing the best personal service for each client.
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With my experience of practice and industry I can build a close relationship with clients.
Louise Hollands (FCA)
Client Manager
Louise is based in our Tharston office and qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 2004. Since qualifying she has enjoyed a varied career working in both practice and industry. She acknowledges the importance of any business or investment being correctly structured to provide management with key financial data for decision making, a tax efficient structure for profit extraction and a well thought out exit plan. She has experience dealing with sole-traders, partnership and limited companies and all associated tax matters. Louise has been involved with every aspect of a business’s lifecycle from start-ups to businesses selling up and enjoys working closely with clients.
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We’ve moved on a lot, technology-wise, since the days I used to type the accounts, but we’ve kept our personal approach.
Lynne Cooke
Office Manager
Lynne has been keeping Gascoynes’ administration – and staff! – in order since the company’s inception in 1987. She knows the business inside out and can always be relied upon to draw on her considerable experience to help both clients and colleagues. Lynne shares our pride in Gascoynes’ reputation as a friendly, approachable and dynamic business that helps clients succeed, and provides the essential support to ensure that continues.
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I think the positive working environment within the firm helps us provide a friendly personable approach which is very refreshing.
James Smith (MAAT)
Payroll Manager
James heads up Gascoynes’ payroll department in the Bury office after joining in August 2017. He has been in practice for just over 3 years and gained his AAT (Association of Accounting Technicians) qualification in 2016. From his previous position he brings a mixture of experience, knowledge and enthusiasm. James enjoys running payroll for a range of clients and the different challenges this presents.
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Providing a good service is key and something I pride myself on.
Natalia Whittaker
Payroll Manager
Natalia is in charge of the payroll and company secretarial operations in our Tharston office. Since starting back in October 2011 Natalia has enjoyed building close relationships with our clients something she feels helps Gascoynes’ provide such a good service. When not dealing with these tasks Natalia is busy making sure the office is running smoothly helping out with general office management.
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I’m learning a lot by working with such a wide variety of accounts.
Thomas Steed (MAAT)
Accountant
Thomas joined Gascoynes in 2014, achieving the AAT accounting qualification in 2017 and is now studying to become a Chartered Certified Accountant. He supports client managers by preparing tax and VAT returns, and bookkeeping. Thomas benefits from the fact that colleagues pool their expertise to the advantage of the client, also adding to his own knowledge and experience of finding the best practical and effective solutions. He enjoys working in a role which combines his enjoyment of both maths and working with computers.
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The friendly approach of Gascoynes makes it a great place to work.
Robyn Macrae (MAAT)
Accountant
Robyn supports the client managers in the Tharston office with all accounts preparation and tax workings. Since joining in 2011 Robyn went on to gain her AAT qualification in 2014. Robyn benefits from 7 years of experience and has a great understanding of our clients needs. Her favourite thing about working at Gascoynes are the people she works with and the friendly and personal approach we take with all our clients.
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With their vast experience, Gascoynes is the perfect learning platform for me.
Emma Mason (MAAT)
Service Charge Accountant
Emma joined the company in 2015 and in 2018 became a qualified AAT accountant. She works in our service charge department and is involved in every aspect of these jobs. Emma likes Gascoynes’ personal, tailored approach to clients, and is looking forward to having more direct client contact as her knowledge and experience increases.
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I love the variety in my job – and the constant development of knowledge it allows.
Rebecca Bloomfield (MAAT)
Trainee Accountant
Rebecca supports client managers with the preparation of accounts, carries out bookkeeping for a number of clients, and helps with the training of our newest recruits. She is currently working through her ACCA exams and is delighted to be able to study and learn through work at the same time. Rebecca is also enjoying training with a company that takes a modern approach to accountancy.
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Every day gives an opportunity to learn something new which I really enjoy.
Harmony Hagger
Trainee Accountant
Harmony joined Gascoynes in September 2017 and is working through her modern apprenticeship. She is assisting the client managers with the preparation of accounts and tax returns while she develops her accounting skills and works towards her AAT qualification. Harmony has enjoyed her first year at Gascoynes and is looking forward to continuing to learn.
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Gascoynes has a great reputation for training junior accountants, so I’m delighted to have this opportunity.
Jasmine Tebbit
Trainee Accountant
Jasmine is one of Gascoynes’ latest recruits, taking up a modern apprenticeship position in September 2018. She will be learning a range of skills through helping with the preparation of accounts, bookkeeping and administration work in the Bury office while working towards her AAT qualification. Jasmine looks forward to learning in a friendly and encouraging environment.
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It’s really nice to see companies grow and to be helping them along the way.
Leanne Lambert
Bookkeeper
Leanne is supporting our move to a paperless office system by transferring clients’ accounts onto QuickBooks’ online accounting system, which allows people to keep track of their finances at the touch of a button. She also assists Mark by preparing the quarterly VAT returns, and providing other administrative support. Leanne began her career at Gascoynes, and returned to join us again in 2012. She says her colleagues are “like a big family” and make work a pleasure.
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My work gives me the opportunity to help our clients succeed.
Dawn Knibb
Bookkeeper
Dawn has been with Gascoynes’ since 2016 having made the transition from her own business moving back into practice. Dawn mainly deals with the bookkeeping in our Tharston office and assistance with the preparation of VAT returns. Dawn says the best thing about working at Gascoynes is how they always look to better their services in order to bring benefits not only to themselves but to their lovely clients as well.
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Everyone at Gascoynes is very friendly and helpful, which is why people keep coming back to use our service.
Janice Johnson
Administrator
Janice provides the necessary support to ensure the continued smooth-running of the company. She joined Gascoynes in 1990, and has seen the change from dealing with outgoing post to the largely paperless office it is today. Her internal administration responsibilities range from scanning current and archive documents, to ensuring the all-important coffee machine is in good working order. She enjoys working with “a really nice mix of people, in terms of ages and expertise.”
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We’re here to help ensure clients have the smoothest experience of dealing with us.
Rosemary Widdicks
Administrator
Rosemary helps provide the essential administrative support for our office to run smoothly and efficiently. Along with Janice, she scans current and archive documents as part of our paperless office system, deals with any post, and supports the accounts team to ensure they provide a high level of professional service at all times. Rosemary’s idea of working bliss is “when all the files are scanned and everything’s neat and tidy.”
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