“We acquired the services of Thomas Coombs in October 2017. I have been working closely with Stuart and Peter and I can’t praise them highly enough.

“I have received more help, good professional advice and support in the last five months than I have from my other accountants in 15 years. For once you feel that someone has your back. Highly Recommended.”

“After struggling with my former accountants, I’m so happy that I found them following a client’s recommendation.

“The team taking care of my accounts (both personal and corporate), led by Peter, is just brilliant.

“I have finally properly understood UK taxes (important for a business owner moving from another country) and everything has been explained in a clear but straightforward manner. I can’t recommend them enough!”

Founded in 1971, Greendown Trust is a registered charity and non-profit making organisation.

Its residential care home in Leeds and two sheltered accommodation schemes in Ilkley and Knaresborough provide accommodation for elderly Christian Scientists and like-minded people.

Company Secretary and Trust Administrator, Simon Greener, has a very good working relationship with the charity’s accountants, Thomas Coombs, having worked together for around ten years.

We approached a few firms with a view to working with them when we were looking to appoint a new firm of accountants. We all liked the approach of the representatives from Thomas Coombs and choosing them has proved to be a good decision as we have a very good working relationship.

I particularly value the fact that it’s always very easy to get in touch with them.

I have found the various departments I have contacted very helpful. If I have any questions which are out of the ordinary they are always extremely willing and prompt in providing a response.

Christopher Darwin always takes the time to talk us through the draft accounts and then comes along to our board meetings to answer any questions that the members may have. This has proved very useful to myself and our Board members and is appreciated.

In addition to dealing with charity’s management accounts each month and undertaking their annual audit, the team at Thomas Coombs have provided valuable tax advice to the charity.

Recently, the decision was taken to purchase a new minibus for each of our three sites to help our elderly residents get out and about.

We spoke with our accountant and we were pleasantly surprised to discover that we could zero rate the vehicles for VAT purposes which saved our charity a substantial amount of money.

“Based on our experience, I would certainly recommend them to other organisations who are looking for a firm of accountants with a friendly, personal touch.”

Harrogate-based Synergy Car Leasing was founded in 2006 by Paul Parkinson, who has more than 30 years’ experience in the automotive industry. Synergy is now the Fastest Growing Leasing Broker in its class 2019-20, awarded by the Leasing Broker Federation, with much of its success driven by five star customer recommendations and referrals.

Describing how his business relationship with Thomas Coombs chartered accountants began, Paul said: “Christopher Darwin came to see me and helped me draw up an initial business plan back in 2006 so it’s true to say that he has been there from the very start.

“I think it speaks volumes that over the years, many of our business partners have come and gone but our professional relationship with Christopher is the longest and has stood the test of time.

“As our company has grown from one to fifty employees, Thomas Coombs’ service has evolved to meet our changing needs.

“They now provide us with a full range of services including accounting, tax advice, payroll and business planning.

“Christopher and the team have always provided easy to understand, sound advice and support and I particularly appreciate that they are very responsive when we’ve needed their urgent input, for example when we changed our banking provider.

“They are flexible in the way they are willing to work with us and I trust their advice implicitly.

“If I had to choose three words to describe their service I would say they are reliable, trustworthy and professional.

“In my view, a lot of business advisors these days come across as ‘flash Harrys’ – they make lots of promises saying ‘we can do this and that’ but they don’t deliver.

“I think that’s why our relationship with Thomas Coombs has lasted so long – they are reflective in the dealings with us and provide solid, professional support that matches our business needs – in short, they’re a safe pair of hands.

“On that basis I would have no hesitation in recommending Christopher Darwin and his excellent team at Thomas Coombs.”

There can be few charities with a history as long and rich as Leeds-based Wades.

The charity can trace its origins back to 1530 during the reign of King Henry VIII, when Thomas Wade left property in his will, which has since been added to by others, for the benefit of the people of Leeds.

Now managed by its Trustees – the monies produce an income from which grants are offered to Leeds-based charities and community groups. Wade’s Charity also owns many open spaces in Leeds such as Gotts Park and Middleton Park.

“The team of accountants at Thomas Coombs have worked with us since around 2002,” said Grants Adviser and Administrator, Kathryn Hodges.

“They undertake our accounts and audit work and I’ve always been struck by how helpful they are.

“They constantly look to add value – in fact more than any other firm of accountants I have worked with.

“We appreciate the fact that the firm, and Christopher in particular, specialises in working with charities. This depth of knowledge is particularly useful. It also helps that they are local to us although besides working face to face, it’s also very easy to get in touch with them by phone.

“In addition to producing our accounts, Thomas Coombs deal with our annual audit and despite the fact that we work to a tight schedule, the audit process always goes smoothly and is signed off on time.

“I would happily recommend Christopher and the team to other charities – particularly if an organisation is looking for a proactive firm that adds value to their audit and accounts.”

Voluntary Action Leeds (VAL) supports communities by helping people and organisations that ‘do good in Leeds’.

The charity provides a range of services to local organisations including payroll, funding support, governance advice, training volunteer management and networks and forums support.

Chris Sawyer, who heads up the finance function at VAL, has been closely supported for many years by Christopher Darwin, a Partner at Thomas Coombs.

Chris explained: “The team at Thomas Coombs take care of our statutory accounts and conduct the audits for the charity and its trading arm, VAL Trading Ltd.

“We know we can always rely on the entire team to ensure everything runs smoothly and that VAL remains compliant. Christopher is very good at reminding us and making sure we don’t miss important dates for the various returns required by Companies House and the Charity Commission.

“The team’s advice was particularly invaluable when, two years ago, the Statement of SORP was applied to charities. As always, Christopher was extremely proactive and helped us get our heads around the ‘nitty gritty’ of the revised reporting criteria.”

Chris is particularly pleased with the manner in which the audit process is undertaken. He continued: “It helps that the team from Thomas Coombs really understand our organisation and always send a team of at least two auditors, including one person who was involved in the previous audit. It provides continuity and means that we’re not starting from scratch – which saves valuable time for all concerned.

“Christopher also makes time to attend the Trustee Board meeting, at which the accounts are signed off, which is appreciated by our board members as it provides an opportunity for questions and answers. Christopher also attends our AGM and does a short presentation to members of the key features of our accounts.

“If I had to sum up our dealings with Thomas Coombs, I would describe them as being ‘reliable’, providing ‘good quality advice’.

“Christopher and the team are there whenever we need them. They keep us updated regularly with their regular charities newsletter which I find useful – and they’re always just a phone call away.”

Chris added: “A couple of years ago Thomas Coombs were required to retender and, such was the high quality of their submission and our overall satisfaction with the service they have provided, that we were delighted to award them the contract to continue as VAL’s accountants.”