specialist market services

Education

The independent schools sector has its own special accounting and finance requirements. In many instances there is considerable competition for both able pupils and good staff. We can help school bursars and governors by:

• producing end of year financial statements promptly
• ensuring that they are in a user-friendly format
• assisting with decisions on fee levels
• discussing remuneration packages
• providing an external confidential payroll service
• advising on accounting systems
• setting up associated trading companies
• advising on charity matters/gift aid arrangements
• considering capital projects and the financing thereof
• reviewing revenue budgets and projections

Solicitors

Having acted for a large number of solicitors over many years, we have built up an enviable knowledge of the issues which matter to professional solicitor practices. As well as dealing with compliance issues, we are ideally placed to provide expertise in the following areas:

• Taxation
• Litigation support
• Practice management
• Reporting systems
• Mergers
• Acquisitions
• Disposals
• Practice Strategy
• Practice Development
• Partnership Agreements
• Retirement Of Partners
• Introduction Of New Partners
• Goodwill / Annuities
• Work In Progress

Construction Industry

The construction industry is one of the most volatile sectors in the UK economy and careful planning and advice are needed to maintain efficiency and competitiveness. With years of experience in this sector, we pride ourselves on having an understanding of the specific problems faced by builders, building and civil engineering contractors, architects, and civil engineering consultants, and in being able to recommend effective solutions.
We work with you to help you optimise your performance through advice on appropriate funding, project planning, cashflow planning, payroll services, etc. We guide you through the maze of regulations imposed on the industry, help you to minimise your compliance costs, and help you to build a successful future.

Retail

The retail sector has always been one of the most competitive business environments to operate in, but with the rapid growth of direct marketing, telephone sales, internet trading and overseas competition - especially from mainland Europe-, more than ever retailers need sound financial advice and the support of a team of professionals who can help them maintain their market share.

We have considerable experience in acting for the retail sector and understand clearly their special requirements -especially the need for real-time, proactive advice and how to maintain and improve their position. We can help you maximise your profitability through improvements in your stock control, purchase re-ordering and reconciliation procedures and where appropriate, advise on the installation of computerised systems. Perhaps the biggest bane of a retailers life is the stringent demands of the VAT regime. We can relieve you of a lot of unnecessary time and expense by advising on the most appropriate scheme and handling your VAT planning and administration.
Whether you are a small shopkeeper or a high street retailer, a mail order company or an Internet trader, our team of experienced professionals is here to help you achieve your business objectives.

manufacturing

The manufacturing sector is plagued with uncertainty and is often hostage to factors beyond its control such as fierce global competition, interest rates, currency values, employment levels and educational training. Companies operating in such a business environment need experienced, professional advisers to help them steer a steady course. With years of experience acting for clients in the manufacturing sector, we can help you:

• minimise risks from pricing and supply fluctuations
• optimise your stock control
• make important investment decisions
• arrange acquisitions, mergers or disposals
• raise finance
• manage cashflow through interest rate and exchange rate fluctuations
• handle foreign currency transactions

We can help with all your accounting, tax and audit requirements. Whatever your business structure - sole trader, partnership or a limited company - we can help you manage your profitability.

Medical

From a financial point of view, the medical profession is probably the most complex of all of the professions. The growth of private medical plans and hospital trusts and the constant changes to the NHS structure mean doctors need expert and timely advice in financial matters. Through years of service to the medical profession, we have accumulated a wealth of experience in dealing with issues such as:

• claiming reimbursements from the NHS
• accounting for income from different sources such as hospital PAYE work, private patients and participation on advisory panels
• partnership arrangements such as income sharing or joint ownership of premises
• advising doctors who are technically self-employed but participate in the NHS pension scheme
• partnership agreements
• provision for partners' taxation liabilities
• property ownership and finance
• claims for partners personal business expenditure
• private practice accounts for consultants

Farming and Agriculture

Farming is a different kind of business with its own unique set of rules and regulations. At Pearson May we have been working with the agricultural community for over 150 years and have a wealth of experience to draw upon.

We appreciate the significance of developments in the Common Agricultural Policy and understand such things as land values and milk quotas.

This understanding provides us with a clearer, wider view of your situation. It means that we don't have to go through a learning process on your behalf.

Most importantly, it means that we can provide you with high quality advice which is real value for money.

At Pearson May we pride ourselves on our friendly, helpful and professional service.

We take care of clients' business as we would our own, and our in-depth knowledge of the agricultural sector gives us a head start which makes us a highly cost effective resource for your business.

Litigation Support

An analytical approach to reaching successful financial compensation agreements.
A specialist service for solicitors when a claim for financial compensation is at issue.

Typically, cases may involve:

• accusations of fraud
• death or personal injury
• professional or medical negligence
• loss of earnings or profits
• loss of property or personal possessions
• the breakdown of a business relationship
• the breakdown of a marriage
• valuation disputes

Litigation, disputes and the potential threat of court action can be very stressful and distressing for the individuals involved - so we are conscious of the need to complete our work as swiftly and discreetly as possible, particularly with a view to aiding out of court settlements.

In doing this work we adopt a detailed and inquisitive approach to our research in order to spot anomalies and identify weakness in any disclosures; and use a creative approach to seeking out and resolving the financial facts of the matter.

Our litigation specialists also involve our corporate finance and tax consultancy teams when appropriate.

Whether the case involves someone making or defending a claim we can assist with:

• investigating and assessing the financial position of the individuals or companies involved
• quantifying loss and liability
• advising on the documents which are required to support the legal discovery,
• briefing the legal team on the financial aspects and intricacies of the case
• preparing expert reports
• assisting with settlement negotiations
• appearing as an expert witness in court to give evidence