Mamut signs agreement with Duncan & Toplis

Duncan & Toplis will act as a reseller of Mamut Business Software to its clients and others through its successful small business advisory service in the East Midlands region.

Duncan & Toplis is among the UK's largest independent firms of accountancy and business advisers with an annual fee income of over £13 million. It has coverage through its network of 10 office locations with 26 partners and over 300 staff. Mamut Business Software has been selected by Duncan & Toplis after a thorough evaluation process.

The agreement with Duncan & Toplis is an important element in Mamut’s ambition to enhance its relationships with Chartered Accountants in the UK and in delivering the recently announced Mamut One to the small business community. As part of this ambition, all Mamut accounting software released to date in the UK has been accredited by the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW).

Mamut specialises solely in developing user-friendly solutions for the SME segment and, with the launch of Mamut One, Mamut will realise their strategy of businesses being able to utilise the “Mamut Business Platform”. The offering will be available to over 300,000 existing European customers and 700,000 users during the first half of 2008.

The concept of Mamut One is to simplify use and management of software and services for small businesses by introducing increased functionality and accessibility. Mamut One is a complete business solution including software applications, web-based services and knowledge; all integrated and managed with through a single sign-on access.

National Payroll Week

National Payroll week runs from 10th to 14th September 2007 and is designed to highlight the work that goes on behind the scenes in every payroll department across the Country.

Did you know for example…

• Annually, the UK’s 2 million employers pay over £1 trillion in wages and benefits with over £200 billion in statutory deductions remitted to government, and over £95 billion in health and retirement benefits!

• There are more than 2,900 HM Revenue and Customs forms in existence, many of which affect Payroll!

• Payroll Professionals pay more than 50 million people every month, involving 1,000 different regulations!

Pictured: Bryony Cooper (left) & Judith Gruar (right)

Whether you own or work for a small or large company the objectives of the payroll department remain the same - to ensure every single employee is paid constantly on time and accurately!

If you, as an employer, would welcome assistance with your payroll why not contact one of our offices and speak to someone who offer a professional, friendly service, which can be tailored to your specific requirements.

Damon Brain, a partner at our Lincoln office, has been shortlisted for the second year running to the final three in the Accountancy Age Awards, under the heading “Accounting Technician of The Year”.   The awards, which are in their twelfth year, are one of the most prestigious in the profession and recognised as the voice of the industry.

Accountancy Age website explains “The Awards are undoubtedly an important recognition of achievement in accountancy and finance and the quantity of entries received each year indicates that the accolades are valued highly by the profession. An independent panel of highly respected financial and business leaders judge many of the awards. In addition we reflect the views of the industry by inviting readers to vote. The eventual finalists and winners enjoy extensive recognition for their success.”

The awards ceremony itself takes place at London’s Battersea Park Arena on Wednesday 15th November. Attended by nearly 1,300 guests, the presentation evening is always a spectacular occasion and guests include key figures throughout the practice and business community – including senior partners and financial directors from some of the largest companies in the UK.

Duncan & Toplis Charity Golf Day

The 16th Annual Duncan & Toplis Charity Golf Day was held at Belton Woods on Friday 7th July 2006. A record number of 81 teams played both the Lakes and the Woods courses.

A total of £4,000 was donated equally between Dr Frier’s Childrens Holiday Fund (Grantham) and Macmillan Cancer Support ( Lincolnshire).

Winners on the Lakeside Course were Melton Mowbray Building Society (90 points) and winners on the Woodside Course and Overall winners were Lindum BMS (93 points).

Lincoln office development

Development of our new Lincoln office has started and will be ready for use by the end of October. The purpose built offices on Doddington Road will provide an initial 6,000 sq. ft of office space with provision for future expansion. Ample parking space for both staff and visitors has also been allowed for.

The office has a modern design and will incorporate all the information technology systems that have now become common place.

Since opening our first office in Lincoln in 2001, also on Doddington Road, we have enjoyed considerable growth in our client base and the need for additional space is seen as crucial in continuing our planned expansion. Lincoln partners Ian Phillips and Damon Brain said ‘we are committed to providing a quality service to both our current and future clients and we believe that this move will further ensure that this happens’.

Merger of the Spalding office of Baker Tilly into the Duncan & Toplis Group

Duncan & Toplis, the top 40 chartered accountancy firm with six offices in Lincolnshire and a total of eight in the East Midlands, is to acquire the Spalding office of Baker Tilly on 1 st April 2006. The addition of the Spalding office, led by David Gratton and Nick Smith, gives the firm a strong presence in South East Lincolnshire.

Duncan & Toplis Managing Partner, Peter Townsend, comments: "We are delighted that David, Nick and their team are joining forces with us. We share the same professional beliefs, providing the very best quality service to ensure the success of our clients. We have achieved our current ranking in size of 37 th overall in the country by expansion whilst keeping this ethic to the fore and this merger fits exactly with our strategy for continued growth."

David Gratton says: "We are confident that the future holds many exciting prospects and Nick and I and the whole office are greatly looking forward to working as part of the Duncan & Toplis group."

Vice-President of Boston Junior Chamber Appointed

Allison Cowell (pictured left) has recently taken on the role of Vice-President of Boston Junior Chamber. Allison said “Junior Chamber is an ideal forum to network on a professional and social front both locally and nationally and I would encourage others to come and join”. Allison adds her Commitment to Junior Chamber to that of her involvement with The Young Enterprise Scheme in Boston.

Boston partner Christine Newitt, pictured with Allison, said “We congratulate Allison on her appointment as Vice-President of Boston Junior Chamber and are delighted to support her in this role within the local business community”.

Accounting Student of the Year

Lincoln College has recently awarded Accounting Student of the Year to Katherine Bath, who is based at our Sleaford office. Having passed her AAT exams Katherine has now commenced her studies towards qualify as a Chartered Accountant.

Boston office development

Work has now started on the new Boston office that is to be situated at Endeavour Park, planned completion is by the end of May 2006. Moving from the current offices situated on the High Street to this purpose built office will bring all twenty-two professional and four support staff under one roof.

The offices are to be built along a contemporary theme, but will allow for potential future expansion. All the latest information technology systems have been incorporated into the design and the open plan look will provide a very modern working environment.

Boston managing partner Adrian Reynolds said ‘we see this as an exciting time in our development and it will allow us to further enhance the level of service that our clients have come to expect’.

Accountancy Age Awards

One of our Lincoln based partners Damon Brain was runner up in the prestigious Accountancy Age AAT Accounting Technician Of The Year awards in a recent ceremony in London. Now a Chartered Accountant, he was nominated for being one of the youngest partners of a top 50 Chartered Accountancy practice and for the success he had achieved after obtaining his AAT qualification. Joined by fellow partners Ian Phillips, Peter Townsend and Adrian Reynolds the evening was presided over by Ian Hislop the Private Eye satirist.

Although disappointed not to claim the winners crown Damon commented that ' the very fact that I was nominated for the award is testament to the support and encouragement that has been given to me in the time since I joined Duncan & Toplis’. He also added ‘it is nice to be recognised by others within the industry for my achievements'.

The Duncan & Toplis Group held its 8th annual go-karting competition last Friday at Ancaster Kart Racing Centre near Grantham. This is something that has now become an annual event for the firm and Ancaster Karting Centre is an excellent venue for the day.

Teams of four from each of the accounting firm’s offices and sister companies, a total of 12 teams, competed in the 2 hour endurance race.

The winner of this years competition was Castlegate Financial Management Limited, their team picture above comprising (from left) Sam Cowan, Mark Sardeson, Sam Gibson (Non Driving Team Captain!), Steve Burtt & Chris Godson. The Melton Mowbray Office finished in second place and Boston Office came third.

The fastest lap of the day went to Steve Burtt of the Castlegate Financial Management team.

D&T Boston - Successful Students

Tracy Anderson and Lisa Galey, AAT students at accountants Duncan & Toplis, have been successful in their studies at Boston College. Tracy won best student award at Technician level and Lisa at intermediate level. “We are always pleased to encourage and train young people from our local community” said training partner Tim Godson.

The 15th Annual Duncan & Toplis Charity Golf Day was held at Belton Woods on Friday 1 July 2006. 64 teams played both the Lakes and the Woods courses.

A total of £3,500 was donated equally to Lincolnshire & Nottinghamshire Air Ambulance and Dove Cottage Day Hospice in the Vale of Belvoir.

Winners on the Lakeside Course were Paktronic (83 points) and winners on the Woodside Course and Overall winners were Buckles, Solicitors (84 points).

D&T Skegness - Gwen’s Cycling Challenge for Endometriosis

Duncan & Toplis employee Gwen Roberts set herself a cycling challenge recently to raise money and awareness for a charity very close to her heart – The National Endometriosis Society.

Starting at the Skegness office of Duncan & Toplis, Gwen cycled a total of 202 miles visiting all eight of the offices in Boston, Sleaford, Lincoln, Newark, Grantham, Melton Mowbray and Stamford before returning to Skegness. Throughout the four-day journey colleagues from Duncan & Toplis and friends accompanied her. The total raised so far is around £2300.

The National Endometriosis Society was founded in 1981 to provide support groups for women suffering from this complaint as well as funding research and raising awareness amongst the general public and the medical profession.

Gwen will continue her fundraising next year when she travels to Cuba with the National Endometriosis Society, to take part in a sponsored walk. She would like to thank everyone who supported her and took part in this challenge including Duncan & Toplis and Derek’s Cycles.

CFM - Qualified to Support Duncan & Toplis

Staff of Castlegate Financial Management (CFM) recently achieved a clean sweep of financial planning examinations from the Chartered Insurance Institute.

Both support staff and advisers achieved a range of qualifications, from the broad based Financial Services and their Regulations, through Savings & Investments, to the specialist Long Term Care qualification.

This knowledge, combined with on-going, continued professional development will enable CFM to provide Duncan & Toplis clients with specialist, independent financial planning advice across a broad range of topics locally.

D&T Grantham - Moving on After 29 Years

Duncan & Toplis Manager Ray Armstrong is moving on after 29 years with the firm. Ray has worked with Keith Johnson for most of his time at Duncan & Toplis and is leaving on 31 March 2005 to start a new chapter of his life with Grantham Estates.

Keith Johnson comments "Ray has been a most loyal and competent member of staff to both me and the practice, and has been such wonderful support to me personally. Many of Ray's clients have written saying how sorry they are to see him go, and they together with everyone at Duncan & Toplis wish him all the best for the future.

The Partners presented Ray with a gold watch and he also received Garden Centre vouchers from the staff.

Also leaving on 31 March 2005 is Mary Watson who is retiring from the firm after 14 years service. Mary is looking forward to spending more time with her grandchildren and continuing her hobby of sequence dancing. The Partners presented Mary with a digital camera and she also received vouchers for MD Jewellers from the staff.