Business Details
16 Years
experience
Expert Accountants in Lancaster
Established in 2010, Sutcliffe Accountants provides tailored accounting and taxation services for individuals and small to medium-sized businesses. Our founder, Emma Sutcliffe, qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 2001 after training with KPMG, one of the global accounting firms. With extensive experience in both industry and practice, including managing a 40m portfolio in a utilities company and leading a local Lancaster accountancy firm, we combine technical expertise with a personal approach. We prioritise clear communication, delivering advice in plain English without jargon, and offer flexible service delivery through in-person meetings, phone consultations, or online interactions. Our services span management accounts, tax compliance, payroll, and business advisory, with a focus on helping clients understand their financial position and plan strategically. We operate transparent fee structures, including fixed pricing and hourly rates, and provide free initial consultations to ensure clients receive cost-effective, reliable support tailored to their specific needs.
Services
Management Accounts
Tax Compliance
Payroll Services
Statutory Accounts
Bookkeeping
VAT Returns
Business Advisory
Served areas
- Lancashire, Cumbria, Yorkshire, Cheshire
Details
- Year established: 2010
Highlights and features
- Chartered Accountant with 20+ years of experience in industry and practice
- Transparent fee structures with fixed pricing and no hidden costs
- Free initial consultations to clarify client needs and expectations
- Personalised service delivered in plain English without technical jargon
- Comprehensive compliance support for HMRC, Companies House, and regulatory filings
Associations and certifications
- Fellow of the institute of chartered accountants (ICAEW)
What people say
Wealth of experience
Personal and efficient service
Friendly and easy to talk to
Excellent job year after year
Superb value for money
Services
Management Accounts
Monthly or quarterly accounts to monitor business performance. We ensure timely preparation with clear explanations of financial health. Clients receive actionable insights to support strategic decision-making and cash flow management.
Tax Compliance
Comprehensive support for VAT, PAYE, corporation tax, and personal tax obligations. We ensure regulatory compliance while identifying tax efficiency opportunities. Our service includes deadline tracking and submission to HMRC and other authorities.
Payroll Services
Full payroll management covering salary calculations, tax deductions, and regulatory filings. We handle P11d forms and advise on tax-efficient salary structures to reduce employer liabilities while maintaining compliance.
Statutory Accounts
Preparation of statutory accounts for Companies House and HMRC. We serve partnerships, sole traders, and limited companies, ensuring accurate financial reporting within 30 days of receiving client data.
Bookkeeping
Ongoing bookkeeping to maintain accurate financial records. Integrated with VAT return services, we provide real-time insights into business performance while ensuring compliance with accounting standards and tax requirements.
People
Emma Sutcliffe
Chartered Accountant
Qualified Chartered Accountant with 20+ years' experience in industry and practice. Specialises in SME accounting, tax compliance, and business advisory services. Committed to clear communication and client-focused solutions.
Questions
What accounting services do you offer for small businesses?
We provide management accounts, statutory accounts, tax compliance, payroll, bookkeeping, and business advisory services tailored to SMEs.
Do you offer fixed-fee accounting packages?
Yes, we provide transparent fixed-price options for core services to ensure cost certainty for our clients.
How do you ensure tax efficiency for clients?
We review financial positions to identify tax-saving opportunities and advise on optimal business structures and salary strategies.
Can you assist with HMRC and Companies House filings?
Yes, we handle all regulatory submissions including annual accounts, tax returns, and payroll reports.
What areas do you serve?
We primarily serve Lancaster, Caton, and surrounding Lancashire areas, with remote support available nationwide.
Is there a free initial consultation available?
Yes, we offer complimentary initial consultations to discuss your specific accounting needs and service options.
Reviews (17)
Bob Halsey
Jun 23, 2022
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Emma and her team have always provided a great service for small businesses and for personal accounts alike - the service is clear, great value, prompt and highly professional. The advice Emma gives is always pertinent - Highly recommended
Stuart Durham
Jun 01, 2022
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After struggling with self-assessment for many years I am so grateful to Emma Sutcliffe for taking that chore off me. Each year it came around it made me worry that I was filling in the right boxes, was I claiming what I could or was I making a mistake. Just a few simple questions from Emma and that anxiety is gone. Wish I would have found her years ago. Many thanks Emma.
Duratec Security Solutions Ltd
May 31, 2022
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We have been with Sutcliffe Accountants Ltd since we started trading since 2016 and would highly recommend them. Emma is always available to answer questions and give advice no matter how small it may be and honestly do not know where we would be without her. Thank you for all the work you do for us.
Glenn Brookes
May 31, 2022
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After poor service and disinterest from a larger yet local firm we moved to Sutcliffe Accountants on a recommendation. We are very pleased with the service provided and everything is explained in simple terms for both business and personal affairs.
Manchester Electric
May 30, 2022
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Sutcliffe accountants have a uniquely friendly approach as well as being highly experienced and professional, and they can be relied upon 100% of the time! Emma has been very helpful and flexible through some very difficult times.
Laura McNulty
May 29, 2022
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Amazing service. Emma and her team make things as easy as possible for me including great advice, easy to follow instructions and gentle reminders. I don't know what I'd do with them. Thanks
Adrian Brough
May 28, 2022
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I moved to use Sutcliffe Accountants about 3 years ago. They were highly recommended and have provided efficient timely service at a reasonable price for both my Business and Personal accounts and tax submissions. I perviously used a large high street firm where I had to chase everything up but Emma and her team have been proactive and always got things done well in advance of deadlines.
Matt Thatcher
May 27, 2022
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I have been with sutcliff accounting since I started trading 5 or so years ago. I can honestly say without Emmas and the teams extensive knowledge and ability to handle anything from bookkeeping to my personal and business yearly accounts, I wouldn't be where i am today! The service they offer is friendly and efficient and they are always quick to respond to any queries I have had no matter how small. I would 100% recommend them to anyone!
James Kelly
May 24, 2022
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Started with Emma when I was newly self employed 2 years ago. Now I have a Ltd company and have everything well organised and in order. She has helped me grow into the company I am by communicating good advice and deserved telling offs when I've been unorganised. Shes ALWAYS available on the end of the phone to answer questions and my company wouldn't be where it is today if Emma wasnt part of the team that's for sure. Emma, THANK YOU.
Liz Reid
Apr 08, 2022
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The accountant did not provide a transparent fee, competitive rate or fixed fee as she states on her website, as she doubled her charges for a second trading account without any advanced notice. Due to Covid-19 restrictions, I had only traded for several weeks and she doubled her fees. According to the Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants, she should provide an advance written agreement (240.4.) She provided no verbal or written agreement.
No advanced notice. In response to the accountant: The accountant was dragging her feet over this, which was why it was short notice, due to her telling me I was not entitled to the SEISS grant. But I pushed for it and found out I was eligible and I received it.
No advanced notice. In response to the accountant: The accountant was dragging her feet over this, which was why it was short notice, due to her telling me I was not entitled to the SEISS grant. But I pushed for it and found out I was eligible and I received it.
Liz Reid
Apr 06, 2022
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The accountant did not provide a transparent fee, competitive rate or fixed fee as she states on her website, as she doubled her charges for a second trading account without any advanced notice. Due to Covid-19 restrictions, I had only traded for several weeks and she doubled her fees. According to the Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants, she should provide an advance written agreement (240.4.) She provided no verbal or written agreement. No advanced notice.
Norman Hall-Gardiner
Feb 11, 2019
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. Professional, efficient - and yet able to turn the annual meeting into a friendly chat, rather the accountant/client interview I'd been used to. Highly recommended!
Norman Hall-Gardiner
Sep 28, 2018
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Just about to send Emma my accounts for the third year, and wishing I'd known about her years ago. Professional, efficient - and yet able to turn the annual meeting into a friendly chat, rather the accountant/client interview I'd been used to. Highly recommended!
Csmeinert
May 17, 2016
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Having discovered accounting discrepancies that dated back some years we were facing significant fines and late payment, penalties from HMRC. Frankly our accounts were a mess and beyond our ability to sort them out. We are self-employed. We had used larger accountancy practices in the past but, over the years there had been mergers and changes in employees, resulting in a lack of personal service.
We decided that particularly in our current situation we needed that personal service and a sympathetic ear. We, approached Sutcliffe Accountants Ltd., in the hope that they could sort out our accounts and do something quickly before the situation became even worse. Emma Sutcliffe has proven to be a life saver. She not only got the HMRC off our backs and quickly got our accounts in order but she also got the fines and penalties reduced significantly. The amount that she has saved us is considerably more than the fees that she has charged. I cannot recommend Sutcliffe Accountants Ltd. too highly.
We decided that particularly in our current situation we needed that personal service and a sympathetic ear. We, approached Sutcliffe Accountants Ltd., in the hope that they could sort out our accounts and do something quickly before the situation became even worse. Emma Sutcliffe has proven to be a life saver. She not only got the HMRC off our backs and quickly got our accounts in order but she also got the fines and penalties reduced significantly. The amount that she has saved us is considerably more than the fees that she has charged. I cannot recommend Sutcliffe Accountants Ltd. too highly.
Mike Cooke
Oct 23, 2015
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I cannot recommend sutcliffe accounts ltd enough. Emma help and professionalism is given at all times, and no question is too small. Emma encourages clients to ask questions on how best to manage their company's finances where others in my experience don't even return calls half the time. A truly excellent service and I greatly appreciative of the support and help given.
Mike Cooke
Oct 22, 2015
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I cannot recommend sutcliffe accounts ltd enough. Emma help and professionalism is given at all times, and no question is too small. Emma encourages clients to ask questions on how best to manage their companys finances where others in my experience don't even return calls half the time. A truly excellent service and I greatly appreciative of the support and help given.
Andrew Knowles
I agree with the previous reviews, cannot recommend highly enough. Professional service with a personal touch