James Cowper Kreston
Background
Founded in 1992, James Cowper Kreston has provided a variety of accountancy and business advisory services to its clients. The firm works across a variety of sectors including film and entertainment, property and construction, charities, education, farms and estates, and technology.
Based in the South of England, James Cowper Kreston has offices in Henley, London, Newbury, Oxford, Reading and Southampton. Furthermore, the business is also a member of Kreston International, a global network of independent accountants and business advisers.
On being part of Kreston International, the accountancy firm says: “Our membership of Kreston International means that we’re well placed to help with overseas or inward investment.” Other firms listed as being of the group include Clive Owen LLP in Durham and Bishop Fleming in Bath.
James Cowper Kreston provides a variety of accountancy and financial services to its many clients from various sectors of business, including the hospitality and engineering sectors. These include, but are not limited to:
- Accountancy and business advisory work – uses cloud accounting software Xero to offer clients most up to date and bespoke package of accounts services
- Audit and assurance services – including work relating to control reviews, corporate tax evasion and financial reporting
- Business Restructuring and Insolvency (BRI) work – clients including individuals, SMEs, partnerships and corporate entities
- Outsourcing services – including work relating to bookkeeping, payrolls, training, VAT and credit control services
Financials
For the financial year ended 30 April 2020, Kreston James Cowper decided not to disclose a copy of its profit and loss account as part of an audit, so any definitive financial results are unavailable.
The company was entitled to exemption from audit under section 480 of the Companies Act 2006.
Recent Coverage
James Cowper Kreston has appointed Andy Cowie to partner and Sam Britton to director, with effect from 1 May 2024.
Cowie joined the firm in 2009 and is based in its Reading office. His promotion follows a prolonged period of growth and development at the firm and will see Cowie’s role focus on client service as well as the continued development of new clients and markets across the London, Thames Valley and Solent regions.
Meanwhile, Britton, who is based in the Oxford office, joined the Audit and Assurance team in 2015. In his new role, Britton will contribute to the firm’s continued “growth and success” in the audit sector.
James Cowper Kreston’s corporate finance team has advised YFM Equity Partners on the management buy-out (MBO) of Smart Numbers Ltd.
Founded in 2005 by Scott Woolaway, Southampton-based Smart Numbers originally aimed to provide small businesses with trackable inbound phone numbers that could be placed in advertising.
The business has since evolved into a Google-partnered digital marketing business that combines website development, alongside personalised optimisation software and smart telephony solutions.
The £18.1m buyout by YFM will enable the company to take full advantage of these developing market conditions.
James Cowper Kreston has announced the appointment of Daniel Fowler as the new senior manager out of the firm’s Reading office and Scott Cropper as the assistant manager of the Newbury office. Both additions join the private client services team.
Fowler has over 25 years of experience in private client practice, having spent over 20 years at Evelyn Partners. His experience includes advising high-net worth individuals, families and business owners on all areas of personal tax, including trusts, private equity, rural matters and estate planning.
Meanwhile, Cropper joins from Azets with over six years of experience in private client tax services.
Accountancy and business advisory firm James Cowper Kreston has announced the appointment of Alex Peak and Sue Staunton as joint managing partners, with effect from 1 May.
Peak and Staunton succeed Robert Holland who has decided against standing for re-election.
Peak joined the firm as a trainee in 1998 and was made partner in 2008. He has led the audit service line for six years and has been a member of the firm’s management committee since 2010.