Gareth Hobbs

Hi Gareth, how did you first encounter RS Accountants?

“They had been our accountants and advisor for a number of years when I was running a small financial technology consultancy business; they supported us with accounts, bookkeeping, VAT, payroll and tax returns.

“During that time, I was introduced to Chris, and when we received an offer to sell the business to another company and form their consulting arm, he was instrumental in making that happen.”

What, in particular, did RS do to help you through the sale?

“Actually, the first buyout fell through for various reasons, but on the back of that, a second offer emerged, and Chris and the RS team proved to be invaluable in guiding us through the necessary audit and due diligence. They also helped us demonstrate the value of the company, enabling us to secure the right price.

“Specifically, Chris was able to extract a lot of information from our Xero accounts that showed
year-on-year growth and seasonal profitability trends. Having the accounts in such good order, supplemented by Chris’s added commentary to the data, lent great weight to our credibility.

“Chris explained all the options to us, so we fully understood the benefits of selling versus continuing as we were, and walked us through the share and purchase agreement.

“At a practical level, Chris was always on hand to offer advice on practical matters such as the tax implications of the sale, and the impact on our pensions.”

How did it feel to have that kind of assistance?

“Firstly, it was a huge source of reassurance that we had such a bank of professional knowledge behind us, but at a personal level, those insights and supportive conversations gave us a huge amount of confidence that we were doing the right thing in the right way.

“Chris was a great sounding board, and I don’t think we could have done it without him. He was always so approachable and went the extra mile to be helpful. Their knowledge and efficiency made them an extension of our business and that was invaluable.”

Finally, what would you say to anyone considering using RS Accountants and Business Advisors?

“RS are very knowledgeable, and aren’t afraid to come up with innovative ideas. They will make sure you go about things in the right way and communicate well and often.

“I’d recommend them highly.”