Case Studies

Gapinfomedia

Established for in 1999, Gapinfomedia provides web development and software solutions to clients who include business support organisations, the public sector and private sector companies including Chambers of Commerce and NHS Trusts.

Now employing 5 staff, the company chooses to work with Jonathan Ford & Co, specialist accountants for businesses involved in creative industries. Phillip Ramsey, founder of Gapinfomedia explains why: “We have dealt with Jonathan Ford for just over 3 years after our landlord recommend them to us as a firm who would understand our business. Our previous accountants weren’t providing the level of service we needed at the time and after meeting with Jonathan we were impressed with their openess, reliability, the fact that they turn up when they say they will, the quality of their information and advice and the fact they wanted to add real value to our business.”

Jonathan Ford & Co provide Gapinfomedia with services to accommodate all of their accounting needs which includes, regular management accounts, payroll services, VAT, year end accounting and tax planning.

The services are tailored to meet the needs of the business and says Phillip “Jonathan is from a creative background which means we benefit from dealing with someone who understands our industry, the issues we face and ways in which we can gain the best possible tax advantage. The quality of service in relation to cost is excellent and they provide us with the kind of professional service would expect from a much larger firm combined with the caring, friendly approach that you only get with a small firm. We would happily recommend them to other creative businesses in this area”.

Andrew Patrick

Andrew Patrick is a freelance business adviser working as the Creative Industry Regional Business adviser for the North West Development Agency and the seven operations of Business Link in the North West. Previously the CEO of the Film and Television Commission in the North West, which ultimately became North West Vision, Andrew works with entitles such as PACTs and the British Film Commission and has been part of the North West media industry for many years.

Andrew first met Jonathan Ford at Mersey Television where Jonathan held the post of Financial Controller and decided to choose Jonathan Ford & Co as his accountants after making the decision to go freelance. Andrew now sees Jonathan as his “financial watchdog”, someone he can rely upon to ensure that the business is compliant and tax efficient. Says Andrew, “I depend upon Jonathan and his team for all of my accounting requirements. His work is outstanding and I have a high level of trust in him which is something I don't give lightly. The combination that Jonathan has of media and accounting is rare and one that I benefit from constantly”.

Andrew provides Jonathan with his basic financial records each month and then leaves Jonathan to handle the rest “he makes sure that that our accounts are compliant and takes away the worry of dealing with tax and VAT”.

Andrew meets many creative and media related companies as part of his work and when asked, recommends Jonathan Ford & Co to them. “Jonathan has total integrity and provides a one stop solution for small businesses in a way that really fits their needs. His work within the media industry gives the practice the edge with media and creative businesses as he has a unique understanding of the industry. I would recommend him to any start-up businesses as well, as he acts as an excellent incubator of finances when they need him most”.