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HB&O thinks big with new service lines

HB&O has launched a big expansion programme for the services, targeting both its key client base of owner-managed businesses and other sectors, including academy schools.

Managing partner Rob Kendall says: “Our new service lines are very much an extension of our ‘one stop shop’ approach, which is designed to make it easy for our clients to get the solutions they need for all aspects of their financial life.

“We’ve looked into the areas that our clients tell us they need help with and have put in place a range of services that complement – and take further – what we already do so successfully.

“Businesses today are savvy about where they go for their professional services and demand more from their advisers.

“The fact that we now offer them such a broad range of services – and make it easy and cost-effective to tap into expertise in these areas – helps us to stand out as an accountancy firm that thinks in the same way that they do.”

HB&O is backing up the new services already launched over the summer, or shortly to come on stream, with tailored marketing campaigns targeting existing and potential clients. The new services include:

• academy schools – HB&O is highlighting the way it can help schools both through the transition process to academy status and on an ongoing basis after conversion
• contractors – HB&O is an affiliate member of the PCG, the professional association for around 20,000 freelance, contractor and consultant members. It has a dedicated contractor website at www.hboltd.co.uk/contractors, offers fixed monthly fee accounting, including IRIS OpenBooks online accounting, and a company formation service for contractors affected by the Agency Workers Regulations coming into force in 1 October 2011
• cost reduction service – delivered through a partnership with independent cost reduction consultants, the service is typically able to identify savings of around 20 per cent on costs including utilities, stationery and other office supplies, with the fee calculated at 50 per cent of the saving identified
• disaster recovery planning – the service uses scenario planning to predict the type of disasters likely to affect a business and identify its vulnerable areas, then develops solutions to eliminate or mitigate their impact
• HR compliance – the service offers an initial health check on employee contracts, policies, procedures, handbooks and other employment-related paperwork, to identify any areas that need updating for legal compliance and recommend changes. For a fixed monthly fee, clients then have ongoing access to HB&O’s in-house HR expertise to deal with any queries
• IT support – starting with a free IT health check that includes a report with recommendations for improving or stabilising IT systems, the service continues with phone and remote support for a cost-efficient monthly fee
• risk assurance – this specialist service involves experts in the field carrying out independent, objective and thorough assessments of all or selected business processes, both financial and operational, to put in place effective control strategies
• UK subsidiaries – a comprehensive package of all the services required by UK subsidiaries to fulfil accounting requirements.