Guide to the UK's Top Professionals - Oct 2015

September 27 • 2015 The Mail on Sunday

Sponsored supplement

By VouchedFor

Personal Finance Special Issue

8-Pa Pull ge o ut

The Financial Professionals Need help with tax, writing a will or planning to secure your future? Our comprehensive guide to Britain’s top-rated solicitors, accountants and advisers has all the answers

By Jeff Prestridge Personal Finance Editor EVERYONE remembers 2008 as the year when a financial storm hit the country, bringing some of the biggest banks to their knees and plunging Britain into recession.

But Angela Healy, sitting outside her beach hut in Teignmouth, Devon, looks back on 2008 as the year she finally put to bed the crises crowding in on her life.

While the economy neared meltdown, she took the bold decision

Picture: RUSSELL SACH

Turn to Page 2

LIFE’S A BEACH: Angela Healy has her retirement sorted after an adviser helped with her finances

tHE Financial professionals

The Mail on Sunday September 27 • 2015

From Page 1 to separate from her husband and plan to retire after a career in the Civil Service. She says: ‘It was the year I really got to grips with my personal and financial issues. I’ve not looked back since and I’m happier than I have ever been.’

The 66-year-old, now retired, says she owes her rejuvenation in no small part to financial planner Neil Rossiter, whom she met in 2008 after a recommendation from her son Daniel.

Neil works for Blackdown Financial, based in Taunton, Somerset.

Since that first meeting, he has helped her refinance a loan she has on a buy-to-let flat in Liverpool. He has also taken control of her taxfriendly Isa investments.

But the most important thing he did, Angela reflects, is to give her the confidence to retire. She recalls: ‘I went into that first meeting sobbing, not knowing what the future held. But I came out financially reassured that I could retire – and quite comfortably at that.’

Now financially sound, she spends her days meeting friends and her nights treading the boards for Teignmouth Touring Theatre Company.

Next month sees her starring in comedy Entertaining Angels, written by playwright Richard Everett.

Angela is not the only client of Neil’s to have been grateful for his calm and sensible advice. He has made it on to a list of 550 independent financial advisers and mortgage brokers ‘top rated’ by website VouchedFor, based on positive feedback from clients such as Angela.

Also ‘top rated’ are more than 70 solicitors and 100 accountants.

VouchedFor was set up three years ago to help people get in touch with professionals considered by customers to be on top of their game. Until that point, most people found an adviser, tax expert, solicitor or mortgage broker by word of mouth –

after speaking to friends and family.

But many sought financial advice at their local bank, often being sold inappropriate products.

Competitor website unbiased offers a search facility to track down local experts. Though the service lets users identify advisers operating in specialist areas, such as equity release or pensions, it provides no information on how they are rated by customers.

This is where VouchedFor steps in.

It was set up by Adam Price, a former wealth manager at Barclays, because friends kept asking where to find a good financial adviser.

He didn’t have an answer. So he set about creating the financial services industry’s equivalent of TripAdvisor’s Travellers’ Choice awards.

Price, 36, says: ‘VouchedFor was born out of a belief that everybody deserves the best advice on life’s big decisions. Reading reviews from existing clients is a proven way for individuals to find the best adviser.’

He says more than 35,000 people have shared stories about how a financial professional has helped them achieve their goals – or not.

‘On the whole, they are testimony to the value that good advice can

Picture: RICHARD LAPPAS

I was fearful of the future – now I’m comfortably off ACTING ON A TIP: Amateur actress Angela Healy, left bring – be it monetary gain, resolution of a legal problem or peace of mind that your financial affairs are in good order,’ he says.

Visitors to the website are asked to enter their postcode and the profession they are after – a financial adviser, mortgage adviser, solicitor or accountant. After a few more questions they are presented with

HOME TRUTHS: Adviser Neil Rossiter with wife Lisa and their daughters Libby, 8, and Evie, 6

details of the ‘best’ individuals in the area and can read reviews left by existing clients. If they like a professional they can contact them by completing an enquiry form online or ringing 020 8022 3018 between 9am and 5pm.

Price says all are vetted to ensure they are members of their respective

How to check a professional’s reputation MORE than 700 professionals have made it on to VouchedFor’s list of top-rated financial advisers, mortgage brokers, accountants and solicitors.

For a professional to get there, they must receive a minimum number of positive reviews over the past 18 months – March 2014 through to September 2015.

In the case of the most soughtafter professionals – financial advisers and mortgage brokers (all of whom must be

independent) they must have received at least 15 reviews with average scores of four or more.

The maximum score is five.

Accountants and solicitors must have at least ten client reviews with average scores of four or more. So if a solicitor has ten reviews scoring four or more, but three with scores below four, they still appear in the top-rated tables.

Clients are asked to give a rating according to value, service and quality of advice. An average of

the three scores is used to arrive at a client’s overall rating.

All reviews – good and bad – are published on the website.

Reviews can be instigated by the adviser or written by a client without their knowledge.

VouchedFor checks to ensure all reviews are genuine so the tables are a true reflection of a professional’s excellence.

Only the 1,200 professionals who subscribe to VouchedFor qualify for inclusion in the table.

regulatory bodies. Reviews posted by clients are checked to ensure they are genuine. VouchedFor earns its money from advisers who subscribe to its service.

A search on the website last week for investment advice in the Taunton area on savings above £100,000 came up with Neil Rossiter, who was ranked in the top ten. Of the 30 reviews, one was by Angela. It said: ‘Neil helped me to make the decision to retire from a job I hated when I was anxious about whether or not I could afford to do so.

‘He is advising me to spend some money on enjoying myself. He is patient in reassuring me that I need not worry and that the value of money lies in what we do with it.’

Neil, 43, who is married to Lisa, 37, by whom he has two children Libby, 8, and Evie, 6, says: ‘My job as a financial adviser is about putting in place effective financial plans for people so they can face the future with confidence.’

MILLIONS of Britons risk leaving their assets – however modest – to the wrong people or the State.

This year it emerged that comedian Rik Mayall had died without a will, so his £1.2 million estate was liable to a big tax bill. This is because laws dictate some of it go to his children and so is subject to inheritance tax. Had a will been in place, he could have left it all to his wife tax-free.

Caroline Wilden of Probate Solicitors in Solihull, West Midlands, says a will ‘is the only way to ensure your wishes are carried out and your estate goes to whom you want it to’.

Without a will, a person’s legacy could be one of

if you have children, own property, are getting divorced, have total assets worth more than £250,000, live with a exhausting paperwork and partner but are not married or in a civil partnership, or if you family disputes. For are in a second marriage and example, if you marry or remarry after writing a will wish to protect assets for your children. It only takes about this invalidates it. If you 45 minutes to sort out.’ have separated from a spouse but do not A single, basic will typically costs £100 remarry, an old will to £200 or £150 to that favours the spouse will remain £300 for a joint will.

But it will cost more valid until a new one if circumstances are is created and the more complex – old one revoked.

Parents can also such as an estate including overseas use a will to property. appoint guardians to look after any Online will young children. writing services Wilden adds: ‘You are effective if WILLPOWER: should make a will your affairs are Caroline Wilden

writing a will

simple. They include Affio and Rocket Lawyer.

Solicitors do not need to be involved, but they can prevent common mistakes that may invalidate a will.

Two charity campaigns this Autumn encourage people to write a will.

Free Wills Month starts on Thursday. Solicitors will draw up a simple will for over-55s in expectation that a charity will be mentioned.

Visit freewillsmonth.org.uk.

Will Aid, in November, is open to everyone. Solicitors waive will-writing fees in return for a recommended donation of £95 or £150 for a couple. See willaid.org.uk.

Sam Casamassa, 50, was struggling to conclude his father’s affairs because of

issues with a co-executor.

The accountant from Warwickshire had spent thousands of pounds trying to resolve matters using a solicitor without success. In desperation, he renounced his rights as an executor.

A friend recommended he speak to Wilden, who cancelled the renunciation and applied for probate to be in Sam’s name only.

‘Caroline knew what to do and whom to speak to. My father’s estate is now settled,’ says Sam. ‘There are tens of thousands of people willing to give advice, some of it worthless, but you can also come across a gem – which is what Caroline was.’

n Laura Shannon

Picture: TRISTAN POTTER

Ensure your legacy isn’t a family feud

GRATEFUL: Sam Casamassa

tHE Financial professionals

September 27 • 2015 The Mail on Sunday

VouchedFor lists more than 700 independent financial advisers, mortgage brokers, solicitors and accountants that have been top rated by customers

Britain’s top rated financial advisers and mortgage brokers These independent advisers have received the highest volume of positive client reviews on VouchedFor.co.uk in the past 18 months.

Visit VouchedFor.co.uk/TopRated for full details.

Advisers are listed by region and alphabetically according to location.

HOW TO USE THE TABLES This colour coded key illustrates the adviser’s area of expertise and their qualifications Services: ■ Investments and savings ■ Pension and retirement ■ Annuities ■ Inheritance planning ■ Insurance and protection

■ Mortgages ■ Equity release ■ Occupational pension transfers ■ Auto enrolment

Qualifications: ▲ Chartered ◆ Certified ● SOLLA (Society of Later Life Advisers)

CENTRAL ENGLAND Name Roger Milbourn John Taylor Lisa Footes Gary Franklin Natalia Lingiah Stuart Mosley Robert Pryjmachuk Michael Shepherd Duncan Hannay Robertson Sandy Ameer-Beg Neil Padget Adrian Smith Stephen Jones Ginny Kooner Richard Silverwood Ian Couling Benjamin Clay Stewart Warden Geraldine Williams Sue Walker Alan Crowley Peter Randle Anita Gatehouse Paul Gorman Philip Adams Scott Gallacher Faisal Hamed Gary Metcalf Ashvin Pankhania Stuart Evans Gareth Reynolds Kevin Wood Andy Wilson David Bullard Nick Manning Chad Morris Mark Elliston Tony Duckworth Neil Gilbourne Paul Joseph Flynn Craig McClurg Omar Osman Peter Barton Mark Burton Matthew Goddard Sue Hodge Linda Kent David Pring Stuart Sutton George Utting Simon West Rebecca Aldridge James Garman

Town Aston Somerville Bewdley Birmingham Birmingham Birmingham Birmingham Birmingham Birmingham Cambridge Coventry Coventry Coventry Derby Derby Derby Fleggburgh Hinckley Hinckley Hinckley Irthlingborough Kenilworth Kenilworth Kidderminster Leamington Spa Leicester Leicester Leicester Leicester Leicester Lichfield Lichfield Lichfield Lincoln Lowestoft Lowestoft Lowestoft Malvern Mansfield Newark Newark Northampton Northampton Norwich Norwich Norwich Norwich Norwich Norwich Norwich Norwich Norwich Nottingham Nottingham

Services Qualifications Reviews ■■■■■ 28 ■■■■■ 30 ■■■■■■ ● 43 ■■■■■■■ 20 ■■■■■ ▲ 19 ■■ 15 ■■ 14 ■■■■■ 23 ■■■ ▲◆ 32 ■■■ 44 ■■■■■■ ▲ 24 ■■■ ▲◆ 35 ■■■■■■■ ▲◆ 13 ■■■■■ 23 ■■■■ 21 ■■■■■ 39 ■■■ 20 ■ 25 ■ 20 ■ 18 ■■■■■ 16 ■■■■■■ 16 ■■■■■ 21 ■■■ ▲◆ 26 ■■■ 13 ■■■■■ ▲ 50 ■■■■■■ 19 ■■■■■ 40 ■■■■■■ 26 ■■■■ ▲ 32 ■■■■■ ▲◆ 40 ■■ 17 ■■ 17 ■■■■■■ 17 ■■■■ 18 ■■■■■ ▲ 23 ■■■■ 16 ■■■■■■ ▲ 13 61 ■■■■■■ ■■■■■■■ 20 ■■■■ 19 ■■■■■■ ▲◆ 16 ■■■■■ 18 ■■■ 37 ■■■ ▲◆ 11 ■■■ 18 ■■■■■ 20 ■■■■■ ▲ 22 ■■■■■■■ 15 ■■■■ 15 ■■■■ 16 ■■■■■■ 13 ■■■■■ ▲● 20

Name James Halstead Wayne Harrison Paul Hayes Tim Steer Charlie Reading Wayne Clark Roger Coe Noord Romjon Rebecca Taylor Lloyd Richards John Stirling Brian Benson Simon Jenkins Sebastian van Mook Lee Gardner Colin Hart Jamie Gordon Steve Farrell Jim Withers Ivan Hutchings Peter Berwick Mark Popple Paul Reid Gavin Roberts Dave Thomas Craig Burgess Andrew Reeves Jane Sutton David Stait Nick Crabbe Matthew Taylor Gordon Carver David Lister

Town Nottingham Nottingham Nottingham Nottingham Oakham Peterborough Peterborough Peterborough Peterborough Rugby Saffron Walden Shrewsbury Shrewsbury Shrewsbury Solihull Solihull Spalding Stamford Stratford-Upon-Avon Streetly Sutton Coldfield Sutton Coldfield Sutton Coldfield Telford Tipton Walsall Wellingborough Wisbech Wolverhampton Worcester Worcester Wymondham Wymondham

Services Qualifications Reviews ■ 36 ■■ 24 ■■■■■■ 20 ■ 16 ■■ ▲ 12 ■■■■ 52 ■ 21 ■ 21 ■■■■ ▲◆ 12 ■ 47 ■■■ ▲ 18 ■■■■■■ ▲ ◆ ● 14 ■■■ 16 ■■■■■■ 21 ■■■■■■■ 23 ■■■■ 46 ■■■■■■■ 23 ■■ 21 ■ 34 ■■ ◆ 17 ■■■■ 17 ■■■■■ 22 ■■■■ 20 ■■■ ▲● 26 ■■ 23 ■■■■ ▲◆ 33 ■■■■■■ ▲◆ 38 ■■ 15 ■■■■■■ 21 ■■■■■■ ▲◆ 12 ■■■■■■ 16 ■■■■ 15 ■■ 18

GREATER LONDON James McDermott Michael Read Louise Pepper Richard Thrower Jonathan Murphy Jordan Batchelar Paul Hyland Alistair Mann Simon Blackman Hardip Klear Mary Waring David Jolly Sean Duffy Dean Burns Stewart Twidle Mitul Patel Bill Paice Stephen Trenholm Darren Collett James Oakley Ruth Sturkey Henrietta Oxlade Shannon Currie Ramesh Thakrar Simon Torry Robert Wilcocks Paul Ellis

Addlestone Ashford Ashford Banstead Bromley Bushey Caterham Cobham Croydon Dartford East Molesey Epsom Epsom Hampton Wick Hampton Wick Harrow Hornchurch

■■ ■■■ ■■■■ ▲ ■■■ ■■ ■■■■ ■■■■■■ ■■■■■■■ ▲ ■■■■■■ ■■■■■■■ ■■■■ ▲ ■■■■■ ◆ ■ ■■■■■■ ■■■■■■■ ▲ ■ ■■■■■ Kingston Upon Thames ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ Leatherhead ■■■■ London EC1V ■■ London EC1V ■■■■ ▲◆ London EC2A ■■■■■■ London EC2M ■■■■ ◆ London EC2M ■■■■■■■■■ ▲ London EC2M ■■■■ ▲ London EC2N ■■■■■■ ◆ London EC2R ■■■■■■

41 12 12 16 19 17 13 50 20 16 23 16 31 26 44 30 18 15 16 39 12 23 19 33 26 14 15

Name Jonathan Kinch Shaun Persaud Patrick Murphy Ray Rastall Justin Whitelock Michelle Gibbs Dennis Hall Lee Robertson Sebastian Hurst David Hadrava Danny McFarlane David Ward-Smith Neil Jacobs Minesh Patel Andrew Sotiriou Owen Cook Elliot Gothold Hayley North Keith Galgut Chris George Kevin Hamblin Dean McSloy Simon Akroyd Robert Forbes Eugene Lawlor Richard Platt Russell Hammond Ian Green Gareth Rees Elliott Swatton Dominic Thomas Khalid Javid Adrian Banks Colm Costello Rob Still Charles Scholefield Anna Sofat Jeremy Askew Fotis Joannou Chandan Hinduja Dilip Kandaiah John Lang David Chew Trevor Eldridge Brendan Sheehan Andrew Pereira Harvey Clear Paolo Standerwick Paul Favill Harpreet Chadha Chris Lee Paul Standerwick Duncan Pilgrim Andrew Colyer-Worsell Dean Barham Rachel Lane

Town London EC2R London EC2R London EC3A London EC3M London EC3M London EC3N London EC3V London EC3V London EC4V London EC4Y London EC4Y London EC4Y London N12 London N12 London N12 London NW1 London NW3 London NW3 London NW7 London SE1 London SE12 London SW1P London SW1P London SW1W London SW1W London SW1W London SW6 London SW15 London SW19 London SW19 London SW20 London W1B London W1W London W3 London W4 London W5 London WC1H Loughton Orpington Pinner Pinner Richmond Romford Shepperton Sidcup Stanmore Sutton Sutton Teddington Uxbridge Uxbridge Wallington Walton-On-Thames Watford West Wickham Weybridge

Services Qualifications Reviews ■■■■■■ ▲ 40 ■ 16 ■■■■■■ ▲◆ 21 ■■■■■ 30 ■ 26 ■■■■ ▲◆ 17 ■■■■ ▲ 16 ■■■ 12 ■■■■■■■■■ ▲ 32 ■■■ ◆ 19 ■■■■ 27 ■■ 25 ■■■■ 15 ■■■■ ▲ 15 ■■■■■■■■ 21 ■■■■■■■■ 26 ■■■■■■ 16 ■■■■■■■■■ ▲ 21 ■■■■■ 31 ■■■■■■■ 13 ■■■■■■ 13 ■■■■■■ 15 ■■■■■ 19 ■■■■■ ▲ 27 ■■ 11 ■■■■■ 29 Non-domiciled 18 ■■■■■ 84 ■■■ ▲◆ 21 ■■■■■ ▲ 33 ■■■■■ 38 ■ 27 ■■■■■■■■ ● 20 ■ 16 ■ 55 ■■■■■■ 16 ▲◆ 21 ■■■■ ■■■■■■ ▲◆ 64 ■■■■■ 39 ■■■■ 16 ■ 30 ■■■ ▲◆ 34 ■■■■ 19 ■■■■■■ ▲ 19 ■■■■■■■■■ 20 ■■■ 24 ■■■ 33 ■■■■■■ 54 ■ 33 ■ 25 ■■■■■■■ 26 ■■■■■■ 35 ■■■ 17 ■■■■■■■ 16 ■■■■■■■■ 19 ■■■■■■■ 20

NORTH OF ENGLAND Martin Hill David Otway Tamsin Caine Nick Dando

Alderley Edge Alderley Edge Altrincham Altrincham

■ ■ ■ ■■■ ■■ ■■■

▲◆ ▲◆

16 19 17 21

tHE Financial professionals

Name Duncan Farrar Graham Slater Stefan Stimpson Chris Weetman Gregory Whitfield Mark Gill Stuart Dewin Michael McSparron Phil O’Connor Ricardo Da Silva Christina Clegg Steve Holmes John Webb David Finan Andrew Day Richard Brocklehurst Chris Hargreaves Mark Jones Shaun Oldfield Donna Robertson Mike Clarke Stephen F Danson Paul Taylor Paul Lewis Kate Boon Stephen Sumner Mike Pendergast Emma Richardson Pete Cassar Peter Huddart Sally Mallinson Graeme Pegman William Churchill Laurence Turner Gregg Crawford Sean McDermott Yianni Theodorou William Smith Stephen Baxter James Glasheen Steven Haigh Chris Dixon Andrew Hardaker Ben Town Jason Brockie Andrew Dodd Darren Goodall Chris Hawkins Vincent Knight Vinny Lall Martin Miller Brian Newton Barry Orr Alan Parkin Chris Riley Luke Saint Alexander Shaw Claire Stones Paul Turner David Wynick Chris Douglas Chris Lunt Ray Garnett Darron Whitehead Alastair Miller Mark O’Neill Dale Hammond James Collins Mark Haymes Paul Lindfield George Oghani Dan Payne Simon Warburton Paul Ward John Hartley Martin Jinks Adam Henderson David Pritchard Aaron McPhail Carl Elsby Karl Lawton Gary Barnes Christopher John Booth Stephen McDine Simon Richards Carrie-Ann Woodgate David Rogers Derek Dryden Mark Ferris Jon Hall Angela Maher Jon Routledge

Town Services Qualifications Reviews Altrincham ■■■■■ 16 Altrincham ■■■■■ ▲ 29 Altrincham ■ 15 Altrincham ■■■■■ ▲◆ 28 Altrincham ■■■■■■ ▲ 20 Barnsley ■■■■■■■ 26 Blackpool ■■■ ▲◆ 15 Blyth ■■■■■ 25 Bolton ■■■■■■ ▲◆ 49 Brough ■■■■■■■■■ 21 Burnley ■■■■■■■ 36 Bury ■■■■ 20 Cannock ■■■■■■ ▲ 28 Carlisle ■■■■■■■ ▲ 39 Cheadle ■■■■■■■ ▲ 37 Chester ■■■■■ 35 Chester ■■■■■■ 14 Chesterfield ■■■■■■■■ 47 Chesterfield ■■■■■■ 18 Chesterfield ■■■■■ 40 Chorley ■■ ▲ 31 Chorley ■■■■■■■ ▲ 27 Chorley ■■ ▲ 23 Clitheroe ■■■■■■■■■ 34 Consett ■■■■■ 26 Cramlington ■■■■■■■■ 20 Crewe ■■■■■■■■ 54 Darlington ■■ 22 Derbyshire ■■■■■■ ▲ 15 Doncaster ■■■■■■ 16 ▲ 15 Dronfield ■■■■■■■ Gateshead ■■■■ ▲ 26 Guisborough ■■■■■■ 33 Halifax ■■■■■ ▲ 31 Hessle ■■■■■■ 21 Heswall ■■■■■■■■ 23 Heywood ■■■■■■■■■ 44 Hoylake ■■■■ 21 Huddersfield ■■■ 31 Huddersfield ■■■■■■ 19 Huddersfield ■■■■ ▲ 17 Keighley ■■■■■■■ 24 Keighley ■■■■■ 26 Keighley ■■■■■■ ▲ 33 Lancaster ■■■■■■ 20 Leeds ■■■■■ ▲ 15 Leeds ■■■■■■■■ 22 Leeds ■■■■■■ 13 Leeds ■■■■■ 15 Leeds ■■■■■ 34 Leeds ■■■■■ 29 Leeds ■■■■■■ 29 Leeds ■■■■■■ 38 Leeds ■■■■■■ 33 Leeds ■■■■■ ▲ 26 Leeds ■ 23 Leeds ■■■■■■ 22 Leeds ■■■■■ ▲ 28 Leeds ■■■■■■ ▲◆ 34 Leeds ■■■■■ 29 Liverpool ■■■■■ 19 Liverpool ■■■■ 55 24 Liversedge ■■■■■■ Liversedge ■■■■■■■ 32 Lymm ■■■■ 17 Lytham ■■■■ ▲ 22 Lytham St. Annes ■■■■■■ 15 Macclesfield ■■■■■■ 41 Manchester ■■■■ 21 Manchester ■■■■■ 18 Manchester ■■■■■ 70 Manchester ■■ 17 Manchester ■■■■■ 23 Manchester ■■■■■■ 27 Mexborough ■■■■■ 38 Middlesbrough ■■■■■■■■ 26 Morpeth ■■■■■■■■ 14 Nantwich ■■ 25 Ness (Cheshire) ■■■■■■ 15 Newcastle Under Lyme ■ 30 Newcastle Under Lyme ■ ■ 26 Newcastle Upon Tyne ■ ■ ■ ▲ ◆ ● 15 Newcastle Upon Tyne ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ 19 Newcastle Upon Tyne ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ 20 Newcastle Upon Tyne ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ 27 Newcastle Upon Tyne ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ 15 Newton Le Willows ■ ■ ■ ■ 17 Northallerton ■■■■■ 85 Northwich ■■■■■ ▲ 21 Oldham ■■■ ▲ 15 Ormskirk ■■■■■■ 30 Ormskirk ■■■■ 13

The Mail on Sunday September 27 • 2015

To contact any of these professionals visit VouchedFor.co.uk/TopRated or call 020 8022 3018 Name Peter Hart Mark Russel Matthew Nickson Richard Rutherford Wayne Davis Eric Mowinski Matthew Cook Christopher Wicks Paul Robinson Robert Atkins Ian Christlo Paul Dorward Andrew Hursthouse James Lawton Nicholas Pratt Mark Shipman Lisa Vaughan Mark Abley Allie Baglow Matthew George Andrew Platt Steven Hendry Chris Newland Ben Shirtliff Paul Good Nick Matthews Frances Giliker Pam Stockdale Richard Hollington Paul Clough Hannah Cowell Paul Dawson Andrew Elson Derrick Haigh Martin Stewart Rehana Hindle Helen Brown Christian Coventry John Bramwell Tom Hughes Warwick Ivel John McKay Graham Thompson John Walker Julie Wilson

Town Otley Preston Preston Richmond Rochdale Saddleworth Sale Sale Scarborough Sheffield Sheffield Sheffield Sheffield Sheffield Sheffield Sheffield Sheffield Spennymoor St Helens St Helens St. Helens Stafford Stockport Stockport Stockton-On-Tees Stockton-On-Tees Stoke-On-Trent Stoke-On-Trent Stone Sunderland Swadlincote Swadlincote Wetherby Wigan Wigan Wilmslow Wirral Wirral York York York York York York York

Services Qualifications Reviews ■■■■ 22 ■■■■■■ 38 ■■■ 39 ■■■ 82 ■■■■■ 22 ■■■ ▲◆ 21 ■■■■■ 15 ■■■■■■ ▲◆ 14 ■■■■■ 40 ■■■■ 17 ■ 23 ■ 39 ■■■■■ 21 ■■■■■■■ 23 ■■■■■ 42 ■■■■■ 15 ■■■■■■ 13 ■■■■ 15 ■■■ 61 ■■■■■■ 15 ■■■ ▲◆ 30 ■■■■■ 18 ■■■■ 51 ■ 27 ■■ 23 ■■■■ 29 ■■■■■ 38 ■■ 16 ■■■■■■ 17 ■■■■■■ ◆ 40 ■■■■■■■ 31 ■■■■■■■ 23 ■■■■■■ ▲◆ 32 ■■■■ 18 ■■■■■ 12 ■■■■■■ 14 ■■■ 33 ■ 23 ■■■■ 15 22 ■■■■■■■ ■■■■■■■ 16 ■■ 20 ■■■■■ 22 ■■■■■■ ▲ 23 ■■■■■ ▲ 36

SCOTLAND & NORTHERN IRELAND Jonathan Gibson David Milloy

Aberdeen Alva

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▲◆

23 19

HOW TO USE THE TABLES This colour coded key illustrates the adviser’s area of expertise and their qualifications Services: ■ Investments and savings ■ Pension and retirement ■ Annuities ■ Inheritance planning ■ Insurance and protection

■ Mortgages ■ Equity release ■ Occupational pension transfers ■ Auto enrolment

Qualifications: ▲ Chartered ◆ Certified ● SOLLA (Society of Later Life Advisers)

Name Tennielle McIlroy Ross Bennett Martin Joyce Carl Melvin David Gibson Martin Shades Jeff Annal Ciaran Scullion Hugo Balfour-Melville Colin Campbell Chris Donald Colin McGugan Ian McKenzie Douglas Harley Clayton Cumming Alan Dick Henry Gribben Paul McCaughey Ian McCracken Damien Paterson John Porter Jean Dawson Graeme Inglis Chris Mackie Julie Flynn David Hill Emma Baird Colin McConnachie Paul Chada Ross Stisi Frank Smyth Gareth Morrison John Miller Chris Corbett David Arthur

Town Ballymena Antrim Bridge Of Weir Bridge Of Weir Coleraine Cumbernauld Dumbarton Dungannon Edinburgh Edinburgh Edinburgh Edinburgh Edinburgh Falkirk Glasgow Glasgow Glasgow Glasgow Glasgow Glasgow Helensburgh Kinross Kirkcaldy Kirkcaldy Lanarkshire Larne Lossiemouth Lossiemouth Magherafelt Musselburgh Newry Portadown Prestonpans Southsea St. Andrews

Services Qualifications Reviews ■■ 41 ■■■ 22 ■■■■ 16 ■■■■■ ▲ ◆ 120 ■■■■■ ▲ 43 ■■■■■ 16 ■■ 14 ■■■■■■ 15 ■■■■ 19 ■■■■■ 25 ■■ 22 ■■■■■■ 26 ■■■■ 23 ■■■■■■ ▲ 20 ■■■■■■ 28 ■■ ▲◆ 28 ■■■■■■■ 24 ■■■ 18 ■■■ 15 ■■■■■■■■ 15 ■■■■■■ 39 ■■■■■■ 24 ■■■■■ ▲ 30 ■■■■■■ ▲ 16 ■■■■■■ 35 ■■■■ ▲◆ 29 ■■■ 22 ■■■■ 18 ■■■■■■ 19 ■ 15 ■■■■■ 17 ■■ 19 ■■■■■■■ 22 ■ 27 ■■■■ 19

SOUTH EAST ENGLAND Mark Insley Doug Muirhead Debbie Ormerod Paul Ormerod Geraint (Gee) Spiller Ian Shipway Mike Robertson David Gunnersen Gary Beck Patrick Reeve Michael Woollard Clive Collett Jenny Jackson Paul Davis Matt Baker Kim Barrett Ian Batterbee Richard Elliott Luke Richards John Kearney Paul Lloyd Colin Warburton Ketan Shah Philip Hanley Andy Manning Kevin Bray Gavin Dixon Louis-Rhys Harvey Diane Wilkins Philip Clark Justin King Peter Emery Ken Kerr Tony Pomphrett Sarah Travers Arthur Childs Andrew Neligan John Mason Andrew Brady Mark Grunwell Simon Munday Patrick Waller Andrew Peirson David Simmonds Paul Clifford Stuart Curtis Michelle Lawson Sam O’Mara Paul Stewart Alicia Baker Andrew Parmenter Harry Masson Greg Neall Geoff Buckland Nick Evans

Ascot Aylesbury Aylesbury Aylesbury Aylesbury Bagshot Battle Beaconsfield Benfleet Benfleet Benfleet Bicester Biggleswade Billericay Bishop’s Stortford Bishop’s Stortford Bishop’s Waltham Bordon Bournemouth Braintree Brentwood Brighton Brookwood Burford Bury St Edmunds Chelmsford Chelmsford Chelmsford Chelmsford Chesham Christchurch Colchester Colchester Colchester Colchester Cranleigh Cranleigh Crawley Crowborough Crowborough Crowborough Crowthorne Dunmow East Peckham Eastbourne Fareham Fareham Fareham Fleet Folkestone Folkestone Gillingham Guildford Harpenden Hatfield

■■■■■■■■■ ■■■■ ■■■■■ ■■■■■■ ■■ ■■ ◆ ■■■ ■■■ ▲◆ ■■■■■■ ▲ ■■ ■■■■■■■ ■■■■ ■■■■ ■■■■■■■ ■■■ ■■■■■■ ▲ ■■■■■■■■ ■■■■■ ◆ ■ ■■ ■■■■■■■ ■■ ■■■■■ ■■■■■ ■■■ ■■■■■■ ■■■■■■■ ■■■■■■■■ ■■■■■ ■■ ■■■■■■ ▲◆ ■■■■■ ▲ ■■■■ ■■■ ■■■■■■ ■■■■ ▲◆ ■■■ ▲◆ ■■■ ■■■■■■■ ■■■■■■■■ ▲ ■■■■■■ ■■■■■ ▲ ■■■■ ◆ ■■■■■■■ ■■■■■ ■■■■■■■ ■■ ■■■■■■■ ▲ ■■■■■■ ■■ ■■■■■■ ■■■■■■■■ ■■■■■ ▲ ■■■■■■ ■■■■■■

47 23 15 23 17 11 45 18 17 18 22 11 22 59 14 56 15 26 27 14 14 15 43 81 25 37 23 19 29 20 17 65 15 22 16 63 36 19 24 18 18 33 11 25 90 40 38 18 16 18 19 19 15 48 48

tHE Financial professionals

September 27 • 2015 The Mail on Sunday Name Clifford Bird Frank Smith Amyr Rocha-Lima Rory Joseph Jonathan Smith Helena Wardle Andrew James Arun Cooke Edward Lowe Marco Vallone David Connor Ray Best Michael Baker Rob Case Luke Durrant Mark Firman-Andrews Adrian Keith Colin Low Gary Moody Mark Thompson Russell Wiles Caroline Anstee Paul Duval Russell Tilbury John Crabtree James Etheridge Tony Byrne Karl Wilkinson Alex Breadmore Paul Edwards Chris Hall Simon Moran Ray Ingleby Petra Griffiths Gary Neild Lewis Chapman Clayton Shipton Paul Harrington Chris Pownall Scott Davis Steven McLaughlin Tara Harper Philip Cross Simon Lipscombe Christopher Moseley Tristan Renfree Terry Weller Lee Waters Alec Cameron Mike Fisher Steven Hotham Terry Stuart Robin Clarke Angus Willson Ken Bannister Jonathan Holdaway

Town Haywards Heath Hertford High Wycombe Hitchin Hitchin Hitchin Hockley Horsham Horsham Hove Hove Hurst Ipswich Ipswich Ipswich Ipswich Ipswich Ipswich Ipswich Ipswich Ipswich Kettering Loudwater Maidenhead Maidstone Maidstone Milton Keynes Milton Keynes Newbury Newbury Newbury Newbury Pamber Heath Peacehaven Poole Ramsgate Rayleigh Reading Reading Reigate Reigate Ringwood Rochester Romsey Romsey Ross-On-Wye Saxmundham Seaford Sevenoaks Sevenoaks Sevenoaks Shefford Shoreham-By-Sea Shoreham By Sea Southampton Southampton

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Britain’s top rated accountants

These accountants have received the highest volume of positive client reviews on VouchedFor in the past 18 months. Accountants are listed by region and alphabetically according to location.

HOW TO USE THE TABLES This colour coded key illustrates the accountant’s area of expertise and their qualifications Services: ■ Accounting and bookkeeping ■ Personal tax and self assessment ■ Business tax ■ Planning and consultancy Qualifications: ▲ ICAEW ◆ ACCA

● CIMA

■ Business funding ■ Audit and assurance ■ Insolvency ■ Bankruptcy and debt ■ CAI

(ICAEW is the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales. ACCA is the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants. CIMA is the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants. CAI is the Certified Accountants Ireland)

Name Robert Howard David Tickett Clive Meekham Mark Johnson Philip Hadlow Paul Hammond Mark Hancock Mark Graham Jon Elkins Brian Davies Adrian Seager David Shepherd Ian Sparks David Bright Sian Conway Jonathan Walsh Richard Cohen Samuel Dearnley Ivan Lyons Alec McHale

Town Southend-On-Sea Southend-On-Sea St-Leonards-On-Sea Swadlincote Toddington Waterlooville Waterlooville Waterlooville Wendover Westerham Wimborne Wimborne Wimborne Witham Woking Wokingham Worthing Worthing Worthing Worthing

Services Qualifications Reviews ■■■■■■■ 37 ■■■ ◆ 32 ■■■■■■■ 14 ■■■■■■ ▲ 40 ■■■■■■■■■ 33 ■■■■■ 18 ■ 29 ■■■■■■ 18 ■■■■■ ▲ 32 ■■■■ 18 ■■■■■■■■ 31 ■■■■■■ ▲ 37 ■■■■■ 77 ■■■■■■■ 15 ■■■■■■ ▲ 40 ■■■ ▲ 26 ■■■■■■■ ▲ 18 ■■■■■■ 21 ■■■■■■■■■ ▲ 63 ■■■■■■■■ 17

SOUTH WEST ENGLAND Mark Bastable Andover Adam Hair Barnstaple Philip Milton Barnstaple Andy Pearce Barnstaple Markas Gilmartin Bath Patricia Lake Bath James Morris Bath Richard Stone Bideford Andrew Mackenzie-Shapland Bideford Mark Davis Bridgwater Tom Buss Bristol Thomas Crane Bristol Scott Ellis Bristol Chris Hues Bristol Guillaume Keirle Bristol David Milne Bristol Alex Parker Bristol Max Tennant Bristol Tim Horrocks Cheltenham Terry Brimble Chippenham Neil Mayfield Crewkerne Karen Cooper Dartmouth Jason Mountjoy Dartmouth Chris Breward Durham Martin Waistell Exeter Chris Stenlake Exmouth Della Price Gloucester Michael Raymond Ilminster Stuart Read Kingsbridge Charlie Brown Kingsbridge Jason Whitehead Lydney Abigail Stidworthy Newton Abbot Robert Muscutt Ottery St. Mary Alan Powell Penzance

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49 17 21 40 24 17 16 16 28 20 16 18 13 22 25 22 15 17 15 15 18 16 35 56 19 22 16 15 18 32 18 32 33 21

CENTRAL ENGLAND Name Neil Screaton Samantha Rollins Graham Wilcox Chris Allen Karen Butler Nicholas Tunnard Kaaeed Mamujee Logan Khan Katherine Baines Nicholas Hall Kevin Lane Robin Hartley Rachel Pittaway

Town Atherstone Coventry Derby Kenilworth King’s Lynn King’s Lynn Leicester Lichfield Malvern Melton Mowbray Northampton Nuneaton Oswestry

Services Qualifications Reviews ■■■ ▲ 10 ■■■■ ▲ 10 ■■■■■ ▲ 10 ■■■■■ ◆ 10 ■■ ◆ 10 ■■■■■ ▲ 10 ■■■■■■ ▲ 10 ■■■■ ◆ 10 ■■■■ ◆ 10 ■■■■■■ ▲ 11 ■■■■■ ▲ 11 ■■■■■ ◆ 11 ■ ■ ■ ◆ 11

GREATER LONDON Prince Daramola

Bromley

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◆

11

Name Glynne Dunn Paul Herd Peter Lee Keith Lowden Steve Sims Mark Stallard Suzanne Gore Sanjay Badhan Samantha Cooper Roger Dekkers Dave Penny Michael Rogers Neil Rossiter Mark Weymouth Ian Pennicott Jonathan Walker Duncan Cameron Ged Dixon Ronan Marrion

Town Plymouth Plymouth Plymouth Plymouth Plymouth Stonehouse Swindon Swindon Taunton Taunton Taunton Taunton Taunton Taunton Torquay Torquay Truro Truro Truro

Services Qualifications Reviews ■■■■■■ 15 ■■■■■■■ ▲ 19 ■■■■■ 16 ■■■■■■ 21 ■■■ 15 ■■■ 40 ■ 19 ■■■■■■■■■ 30 ■■ 29 ■■■■■■■ 26 ■■■■■■■■■ 43 ■■■■■■■ 18 ■■■■■ ▲◆ 27 ■■ 16 ■■■■ ▲ 14 ■■■■ 19 ■■■■ 14 ■■■■ ▲ 32 ■■ 29

Abercynon Caerphilly Cardiff Cardiff Cardiff Cardiff Cardiff Cardiff Conwy Cwmbran Llanelli Llanelli Newport Newport Penarth Penarth Penarth Pontypridd Pontypridd

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WALES Shane Hyland Gareth Harris Steve Carlson Craig Palfrey Oliver Pughe Jonathan Richards Tony Thomas Bob Windust Paul Boulton Andrew Tucker Jason Witherspoon Aled Phillips Ray Adams Andrew Gait John Pearson Marcus Rees David Stealey Stephen Davies Tom Roberts

22 19 17 73 40 22 15 43 48 35 18 21 28 51 25 19 15 47 15

HOW TO USE THE TABLES This colour coded key illustrates the adviser’s area of expertise and their qualifications Services: ■ Investments and savings ■ Pension and retirement ■ Annuities ■ Inheritance planning ■ Insurance and protection

■ Mortgages ■ Equity release ■ Occupational pension transfers ■ Auto enrolment

Qualifications: ▲ Chartered ◆ Certified ● SOLLA (Society of Later Life Advisers)

To contact any of these professionals visit VouchedFor.co.uk/TopRated or call 020 8022 3018 Name Peter Burke Graham Cohen Muhammad Moavia Martin Tiano Steve Mcgregor Prakash Jariwala Simon Lee Shahzad Malik Syed Kashif Zafar Aamir Qadri Kathryn Houliston Gabriella Alexander-Passe Asif Hassan Peter Taylor David Colom Paul Moston Richard Plasek Janak Pokhrel Babalola Fakolujo Navin Sapkota Paul Stankiewicz Mehmet Gazioglu Franklin Atille Shankar Devarashetty Paul Watson Richard Hill

Town Croydon Croydon Croydon Edgware Hampton Harrow London, E1 London, E7 London, E12 London, E15 London, EC2M London, N3 London, N3 London, N3 London, N12 London, N21 London, SE1 London, SE18 London, SW9 London, SW14 London, SW20 London, W1F London, W4 London, W4 London, W14 London, WC1N

Services Qualifications Reviews ■■■■ ◆ 11 ■■■■■■ ▲ 11 ■■■■■■ ◆ 11 ■■■■■■ ▲ 11 ■■■■■ ● 11 ■■■■■ ▲ 11 ■■■■ ● 12 ■■■■ ◆ 11 ■■■ ◆ 11 ■■■■ ◆ 11 ■■■ ◆ 12 ■■■■ ▲ 11 ■■■■■■ ▲ 12 ■■■■■■ ▲ 12 ■■■ ▲ 11 ■■■■■ ▲ 12 ■■■■■ ● 12 ■■■■■■ ◆ 12 ■■■■■ ◆ 12 ■■■■ ◆ 12 ■■■■■ ▲ 14 ■■■■ ◆ 12 ■■■ ◆ 11 ■■■■■■■■ ◆ 12 ■■■■ ◆ 12 ■■■■ ▲ 12

To contact any of these professionals visit VouchedFor.co.uk/TopRated or call 020 8022 3018

tHE Financial professionals

The Mail on Sunday September 27 • 2015

Looking for dividend income?

Fidelity can help you find it at home or abroad.

Fidelity MoneyBuilder Dividend Fund

Fidelity Global Dividend Fund

With good interest rates hard to find, consider looking to equities

The MoneyBuilder Dividend Fund and Global Dividend Fund

for income. Fidelity’s dividend funds are designed to search out the stocks with the greatest potential – whether you’re investing in UK companies or the global market.

invest in well-researched, cash-generating companies – ones we believe can provide you with sustainable and growing dividends.

In addition, both funds aim to generate long-term growth.

Past performance

So to get higher income in your sights, click or call today.

Jun 10 Jun 11 Jun 12 Jun 13 Jun 14 Jun 11 Jun 12 Jun 13 Jun 14 Jun 15

Fidelity MoneyBuilder Dividend Fund Fidelity Global Dividend Fund (Launched January 2012)

19.5%

–

7.3%

–

19.8% 14.4%

24.6%

8.4%

4.5%

8.5%

Fund yield

Please remember that past performance is not a guide to the

4.6%

future. The value of investments and the income from them can go down as well as up, and you may not get back the amount

3.0%

Source: Fidelity as at 30th June 2015 on a bid-to-bid basis net of income. These figures do not include an initial charge. Historic yield shows fund distributions over 12 months to 30th June 2015 divided by the fund’s net asset value. Fidelity MoneyBuilder Dividend Fund, June 2010 to June 2012: A Income (bundled) share class.

June 2012 to June 2015: Y Income (clean) share class. Fidelity Global Dividend Fund, June 2012 to June 2013: A Income (bundled) share class. June 13 to June 15: W Income (clean) share class.

you invested. Fund yields are not guaranteed. The ongoing charges are taken from the funds’ capital, which will affect future performance. Changes in currency exchange rates may affect the value of your investment. Fidelity does not give advice. If you require a recommendation, please contact an authorised adviser.

web: fidelity.co.uk/dividends call: 0800 222 550 or speak to your adviser The Key Investor Information Documents can be obtained from our website at www.fidelity.co.uk/importantinformation or by calling 0800 41 41 61. The full prospectus may also be obtained from Fidelity. Issued by FIL Investments International, authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Fidelity, Fidelity Worldwide Investment, the Fidelity Worldwide Investment logo and F symbol are trademarks of FIL Limited. UKM0715/6574/CSO7245/1015

tHE Financial professionals

September 27 • 2015 The Mail on Sunday Name Jibran Qureshi Adam Shaw Claire Georghiades Laura Kenyon Simon Charing Paul Meades Rani Jeyaseelan Lynn Gibson Neil Shah Puja Shah

Town Stanmore Teddington Teddington Thames Ditton Waltham Abbey Watford Watford West Byfleet West Drayton West Drayton

Services ■■■■■ ■■■ ■■■■■ ■■■■ ■■■■ ■■■■■ ■■■■■ ■■■■■ ■■ ■■■

Qualifications Reviews ◆ 12 ▲ 13 ▲ 13 ▲ 13 ▲ 13 ◆ 13 ◆ 13 ▲ 13 ◆ 14 ◆ 14

Name Madeleine Averna Simon Thomas Phil Woodgate Andrew Murphy Tracey Nicholls Daniel Tremain Alex Zerafa Malcolm Gray Jean Calas-Hathaway Rob Melhuish

NORTH OF ENGLAND Kamlesh Rajput James Goffe Neil Tomlin Alan Woods Steven Glicher Peter Taylor Martin Wigley John Shackleton John Oddy Andrew Ellis Russell Smith Michael Sparrow Matthew Whelan Murray Patt Gareth Burton Hirsch Sharma Paul Kingham Simon Leigh Paul White John Harrison

Belfast Berwick-Upon-Tweed County Antrim Cupar Dufftown Dunfermline

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14 14 14 14 14 14 14 14 14 15 15 15 15 15 15 15 15 15 15 15

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■ ◆ ■ ◆ ● ◆

16 16 16 17 17 17

Martin Vincent Neil Mullen Tim Smith Philip Gurnhill Dave Walker Paul Chapman Marc Lawson

SOUTH EAST ENGLAND Name Simon Bulteel Keith Spencer Paul Dixon David Cornish Colin Barker Debbie Wakefield Michelle Matthews Michael Ogilvie Caroline Warrington Paul Hutt Jon Green Emma Austin Mary Majoni Paul Sale Kenny Fitzgerald

Town Bexhill-On-Sea Billericay Bishop’s Stortford Chalfont St. Giles Chelmsford Chelmsford Cranleigh Eastbourne Haslemere Hatfield Havant Hitchin Luton Maidstone Milton Keynes

Services Qualifications Reviews ■ ◆ 17 ■■■■ ▲ 17 ■ ■ ■ ◆ 18 ■■■ ▲ 18 ■■■■ ▲ 18 ■■■■■ ▲ 18 ■ ◆ 18 ■■■■■■ ▲ 18 ■■■■■■ ▲ 19 ■■■■■ ▲ 19 ■■■■ ▲ 19 ■■■■■ ● 19 ■■■■ ● 19 ■■■ ◆ 20 ■■■ ◆ 20

This colour coded key illustrates the solicitor’s area of expertise.

CENTRAL ENGLAND Firm Name Duncan Lewis Keelys Probate Solicitors Probate Solicitors Wilkinson & Butler Picasso Legal

Town Birmingham Lichfield Solihull Solihull St. Neots Telford

Services ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■

Reviews 12 13 12 20 35 23

GREATER LONDON David Chandra Saffora Choudri Marie Quinn Deepak Vij Rizvan Anwar Majid Khan Ian McLarty Roger Davis Timothy Bird Daniel Oakland Peter Korn Rahul Batra

Judge and Priestley Bromley SC LAW Harrow M2M Community Harrow ABV Solicitors Hayes Arcadian Law London, E11 Arcadian Law London, E11 McLartys London, E17 Minster Law London, EC2M Field Fisher Waterhouse London, EC4R Oakland & Co London, NW8 Interface Legal Advisory Service London, NW4 Hudson McKenzie London, SE1

■ 15 ■ ■ ■ 14 ■■■■■■■■■ 20 ■ 10 ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ 14 ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ 10 ■ 16 ■ 10 ■ 10 ■ ■ ■ 21 ■ ■ ■ 35 ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ 11

▲ ▲ ▲ ● ◆ ● ▲

26 27 29 29 31 33 33

Llandudno

■■■■■■

◆

34

HOW TO USE THE TABLES Services: ■ Accounting and bookkeeping ■ Personal tax and self assessment ■ Business tax ■ Planning and consultancy Qualifications: ▲ ICAEW ◆ ACCA

● CIMA

■ Business funding ■ Audit and assurance ■ Insolvency ■ Bankruptcy and debt ■ CAI

(ICAEW is the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales. ACCA is the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants. CIMA is the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants. CAI is the Certified Accountants Ireland)

To contact any of these professionals visit VouchedFor.co.uk/TopRated or call 020 8022 3018

Firm Name Ward Legal O’Neill Injury SCE Solicitors Lupton Fawcett Denison Till Sugaré & Co Jackson Canter Coles Solicitors Harthills Bhayani HR & Employment Law Acclaimed Family Law Lupton Fawcett Denison Till ORJ Solicitors

Town Hull Keighley Leeds Leeds Leeds Liverpool Northallerton Rotherham Sheffield Sheffield Sheffield Stafford

Services Reviews ■ 16 ■ 11 ■■ 14 ■ 12 ■■■ 12 ■■■■ 16 ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ 10 ■ 11 ■ 15 ■ 27 ■ 10 ■■■■■ 13

Brighton

■■■■■

SOUTH EAST ENGLAND

HOW TO USE THE TABLES

Name Fahad Ansari Thomas Parkes Richard Arney Caroline Wilden Louis Brandt Lisa Pickering

■■■■■ ■■■■■■ ■■■■■ ■■■■■ ■ ■ ■ ■■■■■■ ■■■■■

This colour coded key illustrates the accountant’s area of expertise and their qualifications

Name Caroline Shaw Francis O’Neill Samira Cakali Andrea Dyer Daniel Sugaré Michael Sandys Peter Gibson Joe Bartlett Jay Bhayani Michelle Cooper Leigh Green Mike Smyth

These solicitors have received the highest volume of positive client reviews on VouchedFor in the past 18 months. Solicitors are listed by region and alphabetically according to location.

■ Disputes ■ Business ■ Intellectual property ■ Accidents and injuries ■ Finance ■ Other

Bristol Durham Launceston Malmesbury Ottery St. Mary Plymouth Plymouth

WALES Peter Denton

Britain’s top rated solicitors ■ Property and conveyancing ■ Immigration ■ Divorce and family ■ Employment ■ Crime ■ Wills and probate

Services Qualifications Reviews ■■■■ ▲ 20 ■■■■■■ ▲ 21 ■■■■ ◆ 22 ■■■■■ ▲ 22 ■■■ ◆ 23 ■■■■ ◆ 23 ■■■■ ● 23 ■■■■■■ ◆ 23 ■■■■ ◆ 24 ■■■■■ ▲ 25

SOUTH WEST ENGLAND

Ashton-Under-Lyne Barrow-In-Furness Beverley Birkenhead Cheadle Ellesmere Port Fleetwood Harrogate Ilkley Knutsford Leeds Leeds Leeds Manchester Northwich Ormskirk St. Helens Stockport Wallasey Worksop

SCOTLAND & NORTHERN IRELAND Michael Ross Patrick Evans Dermot Corr Raymond Hutt Diane Meynell Gordon Sheppard

Town New Milton Oxford Peacehaven Rochford Royston Sittingbourne Southampton Tunbridge Wells Woking Wokingham

Name Dean Kingham Ajmal Hussain David Thayaparan Mariampillai

Firm Name Swain & Co David Benson

Town London, SE8 London, SW1V London, SW19

Services ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■

Daniel Martin Piers Desser Paul Petrov Kay Piper Attieh Fard Nick Davies Jennifer Gill Ravi Gill Gavin Hughes Andrew Maidment Angela Richards Jonathan Sara Jonathan Tyler Mags Trench Marc Jones

Blaser Mills Ronald Fletcher Baker Ma Law Lyndales Sookias & Sookias Seth Lovis & Co Seth Lovis & Co Seth Lovis & Co Seth Lovis & Co Seth Lovis & Co Seth Lovis & Co Seth Lovis & Co Seth Lovis & Co Barrco Turbervilles

London, W1K London, W1U London, W2 London, WC1H London, WC1V London, WC2E London, WC2E London, WC2E London, WC2E London, WC2E London, WC2E London, WC2E London, WC2E Tadworth Uxbridge

■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■

17 13 12 18 12 13 13 14 14 12 13 13 14 52 12

Barnsley Bradford Burnley Chester Hull

■■■ ■■■■■■■ ■ ■■■■ ■■■

12 14 13 11 12

Pothecary Witham Weld

Reviews 13 32 11

NORTH OF ENGLAND Robert Clarke Nasreen Karim Paul Darlington Mairtin Breathnach Anthony Hakes

L A Steel Platinum Partnership Smith Jones Cullimore Dutton Devine Law

Alex Cook Michelle Ellis Claudia Parks Darren Sherborne Ruth O’Mahoney Paula Marshall Lynn Murray Christopher Matthews

Helix Law Atkins Thomson ST Solicitors Sherbornes Lynn Murray & Co Lynn Murray & Co Lynn Murray & Co Churchers Bolitho Way

Vaishali Dave UK Law Sajid Malik UK Law

Rod Dutton Jacobs & Reeves Victoria Girsa Bernard Chill & Axtell Elaine Parkes Elaine Parkes Rayma Collins Warners Kuljinder (Tony) Cameron Clarke Law Firm Shergill James Braund Trethowans Tim Ryan Warners Nicholas FairweatherFairweathers Jayne Marie Gill TP Legal Tariq Phillips TP Legal

Bury St. Edmunds ■

Chelmsford Cheltenham Cranleigh Cranleigh Cranleigh

■■ ■ ■ ■■ ■■ Lee-On-The-Solent ■

10 15 16 15 11 31 90 13

Luton Luton

Poole Portsmouth Rye Sevenoaks Slough

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13 17 14 14 16 11 15

Southampton Tonbridge Whitstable Woking Woking

■ ■■ ■ ■■■ ■■■■■■

13 12 11 14 16

■■■■ ■■ ■■■

22 17 10

SOUTH WEST ENGLAND Lee Wilkins The Commercial Law Practice Dorchester Judith Derbyshire Purely Probate Glastonbury Adrian Bressington AB Family Law Gloucester

To contact any of these professionals visit VouchedFor.co.uk/TopRated or call 020 8022 3018

tHE Financial professionals

The Mail on Sunday September 27 • 2015

Don’t let your tax form become a DIY disaster Tax Planning DO-IT-YOURSELF home projects are meant to save money, but can end up going wrong, requiring emergency remedies from experienced tradesmen at extra cost. In personal finance the same goes for DIY accounting and tax planning.

Employees who have income tax deducted at source and have simple tax affairs are likely to find it easy to file their tax return under the self-assessment regime by following advice online.

But add in investment returns, buy-to-let property income, tax relief on pension contributions, and self-employment, and the challenges increase.

Chris Allen of accountancy firm Complete Accounts, based in Kenilworth, Warwickshire, says taxpayers often have a false sense of security after they fill in self-assessment tax returns if they do not hear back about their calculations.

He says: ‘Many people think it’s simple to calculate tax, submit forms and pay tax due.

‘However, Revenue & Customs is understaffed, and staff are overworked, so it won’t check all the sums. It accepts your calculation.

‘But this doesn’t mean your tax return is accurate, so you can end up paying too little tax – or even too much.

‘When the Revenue finally does come to check, it could be a few years down the line and, if the same error has been repeated each year,

Picture: DAVE EVITTS

By Sally Hamilton

KINDEST CUT: Butcher Paul Crowe has been given an app by accountant Chris Allen that will do his VAT return for him you might have a big bill to pay – plus interest and penalties.’

A professional accountant or tax adviser such as Chris not only provides reassurance that sums are accurate, but can make sure all relevant tax breaks are used.

Advisers can also act as a buffer between the taxman and client in the event of a tax investigation or audit, holding an individual’s hand through the process.

An accountant with years of train-

ing and recognised qualifications can take on other crucial roles to help an individual’s financial and business affairs run smoothly.

Small business owners often struggle on their own and waste time trying to put their financial affairs in order when they would be better off getting out to drive more sales, leaving the accounts to a professional.

This was the deciding factor for Paul Crowe, owner of Steve Crowe & Son, one of the last remaining

family butchers in Kenilworth. He signed up Chris’s firm to support his business.

Paul, 41, says: ‘I have three young sons and I want to spend time with them. I’m a butcher by trade, not an accountant, and would rather an expert deal with that side of the business.’

Chris had already helped the firm restructure its ownership, so that Paul could take control from his father Steve, who after more than

three decades as boss of the shop wanted to reduce his involvement in the business.

Paul hired Chris to help slim down the shop’s paperwork.

Paul, whose business recently won a top award for its steak pies, says: ‘Chris has put an app on my iPad that lets me input takings daily. This includes the different categories we have, from raw meat to cooked pies.’

Chris explains: ‘All the categories of product have a different tax treatment, which is managed by the till.

Paul then puts this data into the app, along with what he has paid to staff and suppliers during the week.’

Paul then emails the file to Chris, who imports it into his accounts software package. Chris says: ‘This also helps me to complete Paul’s VAT return every quarter, as well as his annual accounts.

‘The only other thing he has to do is email me a downloaded copy of his bank statements.’

All this is done for a fixed monthly fee – a cost that is offset against tax on his tax return.

Accountants can provide a myriad of services, from helping devise a business plan to assisting an entrepreneur in deciding whether it is more sensible from a tax point of view to be a sole trader, a limited company or a partnership.

Their financial expertise can be crucial when applying for loans or answering queries from the bank.

Chris says: ‘Many business owners find it hard to let outsiders in, but I find once they do, they feel liberated and it gives them the opportunity to get on with what they are good at – running their businesses.’