Case Study: Able Canopies Limited

AC logo clrBusiness advice and financial support from Accsys Accountants helped my business become a more profitable and viable enterprise,” says Able Canopies’ managing director Mark.

Able Canopies, which supplies specialist all-weather covers to the UK education sector, started in 2003 and grew quickly over the past decade.

Currently, the firm employs 20 staff across two sites and turns over more than £3 million a year. But two years ago the business suffered a fall in sales due to a lack of confidence in the economy and government spending cuts and austerity. This lead torwp_0728_cr-216x300 a general decline in the construction industry.

Mark, who founded the company, said: “Able Canopies grew fast and was successful from the start. However things changed suddenly in December 2012 when the government stopped releasing funds for schools and, as a result, orders decreased.

“I was juggling some large overheads and a downturn in the business.The firm had been using Accsys Accountants to provide accountancy support, such as year-end accounts and payroll and I was pleased with the service I was receiving, so I turned to them for help .

“This was the best move I could have made as Will and his team provided me with invaluable business advice and guidance, enabling me to cut my overheads by half, and streamline and centralise operations.”

Mark subscribed to Accsys Accountants’ Financial Controller Service. This involved implementing specific financial processes and systems, such as online cash forecasting and business insight tools, a pricing system, CRM database, filing structure and a map of every process in the business.

Mark also sought practical advice from Accsys Accountants’ team of business advisors, who assisted with developing standard operating procedures (SOPs), putting together an organisational chart and evaluating the business structure.

“The affect on my business as a result of the advice and financial support I’ve received from Accsys Accountants has been profound. The business is now more efficient and smoother-run,” added Mark.

 Will Wood, Accsys Accountants director, said: “We have been involved with Able Canopies over a number of years and have provided advice and guidance, which has enabled them to grow their profits, and carry out a restructure and rationalisation.”

Will added: “Able Canopies started with our Compliance Service and have steadily upgraded as the company grew. When Able Canopies moved onto our  Financial Controller Service we ensured the company kept close control of cash and had good financial management reporting, which allowed them to concentrate on the business. Now they have more consistent profits and a more organised company.”

Able Canopies may have experienced a downturn two years’ ago, but Mark is much more positive about embracing growth in the future.

Mark commented: “While implementing the financial systems and online tools has given me a much better overview and insight into what my business is doing, it has been the strategic business advice that has made the difference.

 “Without Accsys Accountants’ support I wouldn’t have as successful a business as I do today. I’m running a firm that is effective, organised and, most importantly, more profitable than it has ever been.”