About williams lester accountants
Accountants in Cardiff helping businesses understand their numbers, improve profitability and grow with confidence.
williams lester accountants is a Cardiff-based accountancy and business advisory firm working with businesses across South Wales and throughout the UK.
We believe a good accountant should do considerably more than prepare a set of accounts once a year. Our role is to help business owners understand what is happening in their business, identify opportunities, manage risk and make better financial decisions.
That is why our approach is built around three things:
Accounting | Coaching | Growth
More than year-end accounts
Traditional accounting is important. Your accounts need to be accurate, your tax returns need to be filed correctly and your business needs to remain compliant.
But by the time year-end accounts are prepared, much of the information in them is already history.
We prefer to work with our clients throughout the year.
That can mean improving bookkeeping systems, producing regular management information, monitoring cash flow and profitability, planning for tax, reviewing business performance and helping owners understand the financial impact of the decisions they make.
For businesses that need a higher level of support, we can also provide Virtual or Fractional Finance Director services, bringing commercial financial expertise into the business without the cost of employing a full-time Finance Director.
How we help
Our services cover the day-to-day financial requirements of running a business as well as the commercial advice needed to help it develop.
Accounts and tax
Annual accounts, corporation tax, personal tax and ongoing compliance, with an emphasis on making sure you understand the figures rather than simply receiving a set of accounts at the end of the year.
Bookkeeping and management accounts
Accurate, up-to-date financial information gives business owners far greater control. We can manage the bookkeeping process and provide regular management accounts and reporting to show how the business is actually performing.
Tax planning
Good tax planning should happen before decisions are made, not after the year has finished. We work with business owners throughout the year to identify legitimate opportunities and avoid unnecessary surprises.
Payroll and CIS
We can manage payroll, workplace pension requirements and Construction Industry Scheme compliance, helping employers meet their obligations accurately and on time.
Business growth and profit improvement
Accounting information becomes much more valuable when it is used to improve the business. We help owners analyse profitability, margins, costs, pricing, cash flow and key performance indicators so they can make better-informed decisions.
Virtual and Fractional Finance Director
For growing businesses that need more than an accountant but are not ready to employ a full-time Finance Director, we can provide regular strategic financial input, forecasting, management reporting and commercial support.
Who we work with
We work primarily with owner-managed businesses and SMEs.
Our clients operate across a wide range of sectors, including:
- Construction
- Hospitality
- Professional services
- Property and landlords
- Recruitment
- Creative and digital businesses
- Consultants and contractors
- Growing limited companies
Different industries create different financial and tax challenges. Understanding the business behind the numbers allows us to give more useful advice.
Technology that makes accounting easier
We use modern cloud accounting technology to reduce administration, improve accuracy and give our clients access to better financial information.
We work with leading systems including Xero, QuickBooks Online and FreeAgent, together with supporting technology such as Dext and Apron.
The technology itself is only part of the answer. The real value comes from having accurate information and knowing what to do with it.
Why businesses choose williams lester accountants
Proactive advice
We aim to identify issues and opportunities while there is still time to act, rather than simply reporting what happened months ago.
Commercial thinking
We look beyond compliance and consider the wider financial performance of the business.
Clear communication
Accounting should not be unnecessarily complicated. We explain financial information in straightforward language and focus on what it actually means for your business.
Modern accounting
We use technology to streamline administration and provide business owners with faster access to meaningful financial information.
Support that can grow with you
A business may initially need bookkeeping, payroll and annual accounts. As it develops, it may need management accounts, forecasting, tax planning, business coaching or Finance Director-level support. Our service can develop alongside the business.
Who you’ll work with
We keep our core team deliberately small so our clients can deal directly with the people responsible for their work.
David Poole — Director
David has over 40 years’ experience in both accountancy practice and industry and is a Fellow of the Institute of Financial Accountants.
He works closely with business owners on accounting, tax, financial management and business performance. His focus is not simply on producing accurate accounts, but on helping clients understand their numbers, improve profitability and make better commercial decisions.
David is particularly involved in management accounts, tax planning, business growth, forecasting and providing Finance Director-level support to growing businesses.
Jess Poole — MAAT, Client Onboarding & Accounts Support
Jess is a member of the Association of Accounting Technicians (MAAT) and supports clients through the onboarding process, helping to ensure that new accounting arrangements, systems and records are set up properly from the outset.
She also provides ongoing accounts and client support, helping to keep information organised and making the transition to williams lester accountants as straightforward as possible.
Alongside our core team, we also work with trusted specialist support where appropriate, allowing us to provide a broader range of expertise while maintaining a personal and responsive service.
Based in Cardiff, working across the UK
williams lester accountants is based in Cardiff and works with businesses throughout South Wales and across the UK.
Cloud accounting, video meetings and modern communication tools mean geography is no longer a barrier to receiving proactive accounting and business advice.
For our Cardiff and South Wales clients, we also offer the benefits of having an experienced accountancy team close at hand.
Our approach
We do not believe every business needs the same accounting service.
Some clients simply want us to take responsibility for their bookkeeping, payroll, accounts and tax.
Others want regular management information, financial forecasts and help improving profitability.
And some want us closely involved in major business decisions, effectively providing the financial expertise they would expect from an in-house Finance Director.
Our starting point is therefore to understand the business, where it is now, where the owners want it to go and what support will genuinely help.
Looking for an accountant who does more than prepare year-end accounts?
If you would like to talk about your business, your current accounting arrangements and where we may be able to help, get in touch.