King Solomon High School

Mark Roberts, a chartered accountant, is the company secretary for Redbridge-based King Solomon High School.

As one of the most successful schools in the UK, King Solomon prides itself on teaching its students to become independent adults who make the most of every opportunity and participate fully in their community.

While rooted in tradition, the school educates its pupils towards a future of global opportunities. These are values shared by Haslers, which enables its clients to make the most of the openings available through an extensive range of services developed since the accountancy firm was founded in 1951.

King Solomon High School chose to move to Haslers from its previous firm of accountants 15 months ago as Mr Roberts knew one of the partners there, and was impressed by Haslers’ reputation and price. Since then, the firm has carried out an audit for the school.

“Haslers is local and provides a professional service,” he says. “We have a friendly and comfortable relationship with the team there.”

Indeed, Mr Roberts is so impressed by Haslers that he has already recommended the firm’s auditing skills to his general clients.

The Lancaster Hall Hotel

The Lancaster Hall Hotel provides 80 bedrooms close to Hyde Park in London, and is a trading subsidiary of the German YMCA. The hotel’s managing director, Mr Maynard, is also chief executive of the YMCA, and treasurer of the Synod of German-Speaking Lutheran, Reformed and United Congregations in Great Britain.

All three organisations are located within the same property and are all audited by Haslers.

This professional relationship began when the previous accountant for the organisations amalgamated with Haslers. Since then, the firm has also taken care of the accounts and tax returns, which includes advising on any problems that arise.

Haslers also helped with the setting up of new accounting software for the organisations, and trained the staff to ensure it was run efficiently.

“Haslers is very professional and very quick to respond,” says Mr Maynard. “It is good to know that there is a named person from the partner down who I can contact and who will take my problem on board. The firm provides a very personal service, which is excellent.”

Indeed, Mr Maynard is so impressed by the “professional approach and personal service” provided that he has already recommended Haslers to other charities he is associated with.

“I have run different things at different times, so I’ve worked with quite a few auditors. All round, Haslers are the best auditors I’ve worked with.”

GEM Environmental Building Services

When choosing their accountants, businesses generally look for recommendations from a trusted source as the ‘client – accountant’ relationship is like a marriage of sorts. It’s built on trust, compatibility and mutual respect from both parties. For Gary Munday, Director at GEM Environmental Building Services, this is where he got lucky. A random conversation with a business contact at a meeting brought him to a happy and stable relationship with his accountants, Haslers that have lasted 10 years, so far. We spoke to Gary to find out about what has made this partnership so successful.

“GEM Environmental Building Services is in the construction industry and it can get very hectic with clients’ demands and the running of the business. I am not tied to my desk as I like to be very hands-on therefore you’ll find me on site making sure we are giving our clients 100 % and that they are always happy with our services.”

“To allow me to do this, I need someone that I can trust in handling tax and other accountancy issues. And this is where Haslers comes in. They take the worry away.”

Gary also finds that Haslers is always available to answer his queries on any matters including bookkeeping and tax returns. He says: “My point of contact is Laurence Jacobs, Business Services Group Operations Partner there.  However, I can call anytime and there will always be someone there who always answers my queries, no matter how small or complex my concerns are.”

GEM Environmental Building Services became a Limited company in 1999, after starting out as a Partnership. Being rated with 4 stars on the touchlondon website, they cater to private and business clients as well as local authorities in and around the London area.

Sahara Homes

Sahara Homes is an award winning and highly lauded residential care provider for adults with learning disabilities and challenging behaviour patterns. With five properties in Essex and London, this care provider is confident that their financial strength enables them to provide their “service users with safe, high quality care whilst safeguarding the service users’ monies in these difficult current economic conditions.”

This service provider also comes highly praised by Liam Smith, Leader of Barking and Dagenham Borough Council who says that their Parkside home is, “the benchmark by which all other care homes in the Borough must be measured by.”

Founded by Sharon Kaur in 1997, the business has grown from strength to strength. Currently employing around 50 full-time members of staff and 30 part-time ones, their Financial Director, Darren Turner turns to Haslers for Companies Act requirements and tax advice.

He says, “Haslers ensures that we are up-to-date with all statutory filing deadlines and they even fill in forms on our behalf. It is great because we can then concentrate on making our business stronger and provide better care to our service users.”

“The thing is when you are running a business, it’s easy to lose track of crucial dates and deadlines and for me that’s where Haslers comes in. I’ve been dealing with them since September 2008. They take over the taxation side of the business and I must say they are always extremely professional and helpful.”

When asked if he would recommend Haslers to other businesses, his one-worded, prompt answer says it all: “Certainly!”