Ever-growing. Ever-brilliant. Our Big Business team are a big part of Cooper Parry. In the last year, they’ve almost doubled in size to broaden and deepen what they can offer to you guys, our clients. So, we thought it’s high time we brought you up to speed.
You might have heard that we’re “approachable”, “bright” and “inquisitive”. One new client even said we made their old auditors “seem like dinosaurs”. You may also have heard that we work with more privately-owned businesses in the Midlands with a turnover of £10-200m than any other firm out there.
But what you might not have heard is that for larger businesses, particularly those that are private equity-backed or AIM-listed, we have a successful, fast-growing Big Business Audit and Advisory team – and they’re a more than credible alternative to the Big 4.
CHALLENGER FIRM. CHALLENGE-HUNGRY TEAM
We’ve always relished a challenge. Disruption is in our DNA. And in the Big Business team, that’s never rung truer.
The team work with PE backed companies, AIM listed businesses, large privately-owned companies and subsidiaries of overseas groups across two ‘arms’: 1) Full statutory audits, and 2) Special projects where we act as an extension to your finance team.
Those projects could be anything from rebate audits, internal controls, turnover certificates and IFRS transitions, to sustainability assurance, data analytics and UK SOX reporting.
It’s the team’s experience that makes that breadth possible; lots of the Big Business team started out at the Big 4 before finding out the grass was much greener at Cooper Parry.
Secondments and lengthy projects with clients only deepen those skills, and three of the team’s recent recruits have spent time in large retailers before joining CP. Now, by bringing together a wide range of specialisms and first-hand knowledge of life ‘on the other side of the desk’ in industry, we’ve created a challenge-hungry, engaged, electrifying group of people.
RETAIL IS A SWEET SPOT
And with active relationships with over a third of the Midland’s >£100m turnover retailers, strategic relationships with the ICAEW Retail Advisory Group and Halfords Retail Finance Forum, and our very own annual, showstopping Retail Rocks event, long may that continue.
If you want to find out more about the team’s work in retail, head here. But at the same time, retail isn’t all they cover. Far from it, in fact. And with exciting developments to the data insights they can provide using market-leading data analytics software like Inflo for audit, and Tableau for projects, plus pioneering support on sustainability reporting and assurance, they’ve been working with companies in all manner of sectors.
Take Fly Victor for example. The sustainable jet charter company needed some help with a carbon emissions assurance project, to which, the Big Business team gladly obliged.
Stuart Manning, Finance Director at Fly Victor, said:
“Cooper Parry has consistently delivered above and beyond our expectations. Their specialist teams are well-placed for our business needs, bringing together a wealth of knowledge and timely reporting. You really do feel like you’re in trusted and safe hands. These are the main reasons we engaged with Cooper Parry for our carbon audit. Their advice is clear, concise, and very practical. In addition, they are a great bunch of people to work with!”
Katie Warrington, our Relationship Partner & Head of the Big Business team, added:
“It’s a fantastic time to be in the Big Business team. We’ve got ambitious growth plans for the next five years, and after doubling in size to 20+ people over the last 12 months, during a pandemic no less, we’re building a team with the wide-ranging skillsets and drive to make it all happen.”
So, whatever your industry, whatever your challenge, if you want to find out why the Big Business team were finalists for Specialist Team of the Year at the 2020 Accounting Excellence Awards, get in touch.
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