Business Details
8 Years
experience
Chartered Accountants in Clitheroe & Bentham
At Bennett Kirkhope Smith, we approach accountancy as more than a service - we see it as a partnership. With offices in Clitheroe and Bentham, our practice combines technical expertise with a proactive, client-focused ethos. Our team of chartered accountants brings decades of collective experience in statutory accounting, tax planning, and business advisory, particularly serving agricultural enterprises across the Ribble Valley. We utilise cloud-based technologies to deliver real-time financial insights while maintaining traditional values of transparency and personal service.As registered auditors regulated by the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants, we prioritise compliance and ethical standards. Our commitment extends beyond numbers - we aim to be strategic advisors who understand the unique challenges of businesses at every stage of growth.
Services
Virtual Finance Director
Tax Planning
Accounting/Audit
Agricultural Accounting
Book Keeping
Payroll Services
Cloud Accounting
HMRC Representation
Business Advisory
Statutory Accounts
Details
- Year established: 2018
Highlights and features
- We provide cloud-based accounting systems for real-time financial management
- Our team includes specialist agricultural accountants with local market knowledge
- We offer proactive tax planning to minimise liabilities while maintaining compliance
- Our practice combines statutory audit expertise with strategic business advisory
- We maintain traditional values of transparency alongside modern digital solutions
Associations and certifications
- Association of Chartered Certified Accountants
Services
Virtual Finance Director
Our cloud-based virtual finance director service provides continuous financial oversight through real-time data access. We deliver strategic guidance on cash flow management, tax planning, and business growth strategies while maintaining compliance with UK accounting standards. This service suits businesses seeking expert financial leadership without full-time employment costs.
Tax Planning
We develop comprehensive tax planning strategies to legally minimise liabilities across income tax, corporation tax, capital gains tax, and inheritance tax. Our approach combines HMRC compliance with proactive structuring of business affairs to optimise tax efficiency while providing full reporting and compliance services.
Accounting/Audit
As registered auditors, we prepare statutory accounts for limited companies, partnerships, and sole traders. Our services include financial statement preparation, audit assurance, and compliance reporting that meets Companies House and HMRC requirements while providing actionable business insights.
Agricultural Accounting
Specialist accounting services tailored to farming businesses in the Ribble Valley and surrounding areas. We handle agricultural tax planning, subsidy claims, machinery financing, and sector-specific compliance requirements while providing strategic advice for rural enterprise development.
Book Keeping
Cloud-based bookkeeping solutions with real-time transaction recording, invoicing, and financial reporting. Our systems integrate with mobile apps for instant access, enabling faster client payments and improved cash flow management while maintaining accurate records for tax and compliance purposes.
People
Mary Smith
Director
As Director at Bennett Kirkhope Smith, Mary oversees strategic operations and client relationships. With 15+ years in accountancy, she specialises in business advisory and tax planning for SMEs across Lancashire and North Yorkshire.
Tom Bennett
Consultant
Tom provides expert accounting consultancy, focusing on agricultural businesses and cloud accounting solutions. His 20-year career includes specialist roles in rural enterprise finance and HMRC compliance strategies for farming clients.
Ellie Offless
Practice Manager
As Practice Manager, Ellie coordinates service delivery across both offices. She manages client onboarding, ensures compliance with ACCA standards, and oversees the implementation of digital accounting systems for improved client accessibility.
Mandy Hardiman
Tax Manager
Mandy leads our tax department, specialising in complex tax planning for businesses and individuals. With ACCA qualifications and 18 years' experience, she ensures optimal tax efficiency while maintaining full HMRC compliance for clients.
Cathryn Higham
Tax Manager
Cathryn manages corporate tax compliance and planning, focusing on limited companies and partnerships. Her expertise includes corporation tax returns, capital gains structuring, and inheritance tax mitigation strategies for business owners.
Questions
What accounting services do you offer?
We provide cloud accounting, statutory accounts preparation, tax planning, payroll services, audit, and specialist agricultural accounting for businesses across Lancashire and North Yorkshire.
How do you support agricultural businesses?
Our Clitheroe and Bentham offices have dedicated agricultural accounting specialists with extensive experience in farm tax planning, subsidy claims, and rural business advisory services.
Can you help with HMRC compliance?
Yes, we handle all aspects of tax compliance including income tax, corporation tax, VAT, capital gains tax, and inheritance tax while ensuring full HMRC compliance.
Do you offer cloud accounting solutions?
We implement cloud-based bookkeeping systems that provide real-time financial data access and improve cash flow management through mobile apps and automated reporting.
What makes your practice different?
We combine chartered accountant expertise with proactive advisory support, using modern technology while maintaining personal service and agricultural sector specialism.
