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Testimonials - A1 Pharmaceutical PLC
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"A personal service, with regular partner involvement..."
A1 Pharmaceutical PLC Gary Lewis
Established in 1992 by entrepreneurial couple Gary and Carmen Lewis, A1 is a leading UK distributor of pharmaceutical supplies and PI products.
Gary Lewis has merged his technical knowledge with his entrepreneurial skills to produce one of the UK’s fastest growing and profitable companies working in its sector. Gary himself, former Entrepreneur of the Year, regards with satisfaction the fact that A1 is regularly cited as a top performer in its industry, with regular return on capital employed in excess of 25%.
Despite the company’s ongoing success, A1 had difficulties in its early years in sourcing an appropriate accounting firm to give guidance and expertise. A1 actually changed to Barnes Roffe in 2005 from a national/Top 10 audit firm who had been unable to deliver the goods when it came to customer service. A1’s accounts were regularly filed late and the directors had little grasp of ongoing or projected corporate tax liabilities.
Since Barnes Roffe’s appointment, these issues have disappeared and Gary comments that with Barnes Roffe the company gets a personal service, with regular partner involvement from Mario; all the previous issues regarding accounts filing have evaporated. The April 2010 accounts were filed before 30th June 2010! The liaison with the Barnes Roffe team is regular and dynamic, and there is now regular input on problem solving with a monthly meeting to ensure Barnes Roffe is assisting the company to keep on track not only with its compliance responsibilities, but also with business planning and tax saving techniques.
Gary commented the monthly meetings with Mario Cientanni and Richard Cast have provided a platform for a much better control of financial issues. There is now a regular format for reviewing management accounts, projecting tax liabilities, problem solving or management issues and development of systems. Barnes Roffe are also helping with regard to remuneration planning and wealth maximisation for the directors.
Gary feels that Mario’s down to earth approach and genuine interest in the progression of the business is what sets him and Barnes Roffe apart from other accountants. This has allowed key strategies to be implemented and contributed to Gary being in the final of the UK Entrepreneur of the Year in the National Business Awards. The willingness of Mario, Richard and the other staff to go that extra mile has enabled Gary to be confident that the financial side of the business is in safe hands.
