Lockdown – how was it for you?

Well, what barriers there were to working from home have come down, and the ‘suits’ have, to a certain extent, had their day (in more ways than one), but other than that, it’s business as usual at Hawsons Chartered Accountants.

The firm, based in Duncan Close on Moulton Park in Northampton, switched to a new way of working when lockdown was imposed – finding new and different ways to provide support and advice for clients when they needed it most, while at the same time maintaining their ethos of personal service.

Now, as the business community emerges from the restrictions imposed in March, Hawsons finds itself stronger than ever, looking to expand and with a new wave of younger professionals ready to take the firm forward.

Tax Partner David Cairns said: “Lockdown shook things up a little bit, but we’ve learned from it and we’ve continued to provide the services our clients need and we’re very excited about the future. There’s a lot of new blood in the team these days, and the outlook of the firm reflects that. Partners in grey suits are not what the firm is about, particularly as we get used to the smart casual of video messaging!

“The firm is looking to the future. When working from home we continue to work professionally and are dedicated to what we do, albeit without the face to face meetings and one-to-ones of pre-pandemic. We use a variety of video platforms with clients, prospects and professional contacts alike.”

Hawsons’ Northampton office had already been trialling the idea of working from home under certain circumstances and that will continue, although it’s accepted that there is no substitute for direct interaction with colleagues and clients wherever possible.

The firm, which also has offices in Sheffield and Doncaster, is celebrating its 166th anniversary this year, making it one of the longest standing independent firms of chartered accountants in the UK. Founded in 1854 by Alfred Allott and John Hewett, the firm actually pre-dates the Institute of Chartered Accountants by more than 25 years. Today, over three offices, the firm boasts nearly 100 partners and staff.

Partner, David Owens said: “We’re proud of our extensive history, and to have reached such an age and still be going strong is a great feat. Despite our firm’s growth and expansion into other areas across the UK, we’ve stayed true to our philosophy that no matter what size or sector, every business we work with will always receive the same high standard of advice and service from our team.”

Hawsons acts for individuals, owner managers, partnerships, limited companies and groups of all sizes, providing all-round experience from a committed team of partners and specialists.

The firm provides multiple accountancy services, including tax and audit through to corporate finance, wealth management and exit strategies.

As a member of HLB International, Hawsons is also part of a global network of independent advisory and accounting firms. The power of 29,363 professionals across 158 countries offers a combination of local expertise and global capabilities. Through this network, Hawsons can offer country-specific strategic business and taxation advice, supporting clients in international ventures, wherever in the world they happen to be doing business.

David Cairns added: “One of the highlights of the past few months, for me, has been the increase in the use of video calls with our international clients. By embracing that technology we’ve been able to not only speak to people all over the world, but also to see them in person, and to ‘meet’ them in their homes or local offices, which is more personal and helps build better relationships, despite the distance.”

Away from office life, Hawsons regularly hosts and attends networking events and is proud of its record in supporting local and national charities and not-for-profit organisations.

Contact Hawsons on 01604 645600 or visit www.hawsons.co.uk.