Client stories
Shared success: Real client experiences
Our clients are at the heart of everything we do. We take pride in building strong partnerships that lead to real, measurable success. From start-ups to established businesses across various industries, our personalised approach has helped countless clients achieve their goals. But don’t just take our word for it – hear directly from the businesses we’ve had the privilege of working with. Explore their stories and discover how our tailored advice, strategic insights, and dedicated support have made a lasting impact on their success.
Your business could be the next success story. Let’s start the journey together.
What our clients say
Hear directly from our clients about how our partnership approach has supported their growth and delivered meaningful results.
“5 years in with Barley Grove and never looked back”
“the services these guys offer is stellar! Barley Grove complete all my finance and reporting functions allowing me to concentrate on the operational running of our busy café restaurant, focusing on sales growth and margin improvements.”
“Thoroughly recommended!”
“We moved from a large regional accountancy firm to Barley Grove because we needed a more tailored and personal relationship with our accountants. Barley Grove have analysed our internal practices, operating cost analysis and project cost control to improve our overall profit.”
“Their involvement to date has been integral to us achieving our strategic goals”
“We changed our accountants because we needed a greater financial clarity on our operating performance. We have worked with Barley Grove for 2 years and their involvement to date has been integral to us achieving our strategic goals.”
“I can honestly say the team are amazing and I’d highly recommend them”
“I engaged Barley Grove as a new account and I can honestly say the team there have advised constantly and been amazingly pro active throughout the subsequent months. Darren has advised on all things tax and how best to plan around the unexpected circumstances we all find ourselves in at this moment.”
“Your accountant should be someone you trust 100% and how many of us can say that? Well I can!!”
“I’m good at being a barber but not great at running a business. I have required lots of support and Barley Grove have gone above and beyond to ensure that my business remains in excellent health. They are incredibly proactive, often suggesting ways to improve how my business performs.
Your accountant should be someone you trust 100% and how many of us can say that? Well I can!!”
“They help take that pressure off your shoulders – and that’s especially great when you just want to grow your business and concentrate on what you’re best at”
“Darren and Paul at Barley Grove are incredibly helpful and knowledgeable.
I definitely feel they have my best interests in mind when advising me on all the financial aspects of running my business.
They are professional, reliable and dependable and I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend to fellow new business owners like myself who need a bit help with things such as tax and invoicing. They will happily provide extra support and guidance.”
Success in action:
Our case studies
Our case studies showcase the tangible results we’ve achieved for our clients across various industries. From start-ups to established businesses, we’ve helped companies navigate challenges, optimise their finances, and unlock new opportunities. Explore these success stories to see how Barley Grove’s tailored strategies have made a lasting difference.
Construction Client
Our client was a 2-partner business demonstrating strong turnover of approx. £2m a year with existing contracts in place. The issue for the business was that net profit was extremely low and certain jobs were running at low margin or at a loss. This was placing significant stress on operational cash flow.
How we helped
We started with helping them improving their tender process pricing jobs more reliably and building in sufficient profit margin. We then created a job tracking system that monitored the application process against the agreed contracts, the labour resources and material margins.
We helped them identify the factors that were harming gross profit on the jobs and implemented improvements to protect budgeted profit per job. We then reviewed and assisted with the restructure of the workforce, identifying, and implementing software and systems.
They also outsourced their finance function to Barley Grove which has reaped huge gains in financial reporting, cost savings and business decision making. We also helped to restructure the existing financing of the business to more favourable terms.
The outcome
By taking over the finance and administration function, we have allowed our client’s Management Team to focus on the growth of the business and servicing the work.
They are now in a far healthier position which a proven track record of delivery for a small portfolio of well renowned construction contractors. Management have a greater understanding of operating cash flow and job profit margins are controlled and reported monthly, ensuring that all jobs are run at the desired margin.
Our client have recently completed ISOs 9001, 14001 and 45001 and we have been heavily involved in this process.
Technology client
Our client started with an idea for developing online technology to enable online music tuition and examinations to be taken worldwide. The lead Partner approached us to help him with the outsourced Finance Director role. There was no internal finance function and were spending working capital bringing their ideas together.
How we helped
We identified the individual tax status of the shareholders and created a group structure to optimise the different ventures based on the anticipated exit scenarios we discussed during the planning phase.
Barley Grove operate the finance function for the different businesses and Darren, in his role as Finance Director, reports to the board of shareholders on a periodic basis and helps provide the corporate governance needed and brings a wealth of experience to the Management Team.
Darren has also overseen the purchase of The Learning Machine, a midlands-based school providing educational services including online courses and examinations in the Finance, IT and construction industry.
This business was identified as an integral partner for our existing technology and service offering and Darren lead the legal and financial due diligence process to a successful conclusion.
The outcome
The finance function is an evolving role as the client continues with its growth plans and acquisition phase.
Barley Grove provide an experienced and dynamic team to provide the management team with a seamless service allowing them to focus on their growth objectives.
Darren is now a key member of the management team and stakeholder.
Supporting a Start-Up’s Journey to Success
How we helped
We partnered with the client from day one, beginning with their company setup and legal compliance. We provided tailored onboarding, introducing them to industry-standard accounting software and training them on its effective use
We offered valuable tax planning insights, ensuring the client was positioned for efficient tax management from the start. To add further value, we connected them to our network of advisors, assisting with their business banking, wealth management, and other critical financial relationships, ultimately instilling confidence in the client about our comprehensive support.
The outcome
In the critical early days, we were a reliable resource for the client’s many questions. We clarified queries around cash flow management, optimal tax practices, and regulatory compliance, and provided guidance on managing operational expenses and tracking financial performance.
Our close support during this stage helped the client feel confident in their decision-making and financially prepared for growth. Today, they continue to rely on our services, feeling assured they have a strong partner to help them navigate their business’s financial landscape.
Supporting a Growing Business Transition to the Next Level
Our client, a growing business moving from the start-up phase into a more established stage, approached us as they began to encounter challenges that required advanced financial expertise.
Their previous accountants provided an effective foundation, but the client needed a more specialized and attentive service to support their evolving needs, such as in-depth financial planning, enhanced tax strategies, and proactive cash flow management.
How we helped
Understanding the complexities of this growth stage, we started by assessing their current financial structure and identifying areas that would benefit from advanced planning. We restructured their accounting and reporting processes to improve financial visibility and decision-making.
Additionally, our team provided tailored tax planning strategies that were adaptable to their growth. We also introduced forecasting tools to help them manage cash flow with greater precision, while consulting with our network to connect them with HR, legal, and wealth advisory services as needed.
The outcome
Through our support, the client gained a clear view of their financial health and improved their ability to forecast and manage growth-related challenges.
Our proactive approach to their queries on expense management, budgeting for expansion, and preparing for future investments helped them feel confident in their growth strategy.
Today, they’re well-positioned to continue scaling, with peace of mind knowing they have expert guidance and resources available to support each step of their journey.
Let's talk. We're here to help get you started.
Our team of accountants in Hertfordshire is ready to provide the personalised support your business needs to thrive.
Your questions answered
How can Barley Grove help my start-up grow?
We provide tailored accounting and financial advice for start-ups, including cashflow management, financial forecasting, and strategic growth advice to help you succeed from the start.
Do you offer consultations outside of regular business hours?
Yes, we offer flexible consultations, including outside of regular business hours, to accommodate your busy schedule and ensure you get the support you need.
How do I switch accountants to Barley Grove?
Switching to Barley Grove is simple. We’ll manage the process, liaise with your previous accountant, and handle the paperwork to ensure a smooth transition.
Will switching accountants affect my current accounts?
No, switching accountants won’t disrupt your business. We’ll ensure a seamless handover of financial records and take care of the details for you.
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