Central Business Services (CBS)

I approached CBS for help with QuickBooks. I had a meeting with them and they confirmed that they could help, and would get back to me with a price within a few days. 2 weeks later I chased them up and was told that they were very busy but would get back to me within the week. It's now a month later and I've still heard nothing. They're either too busy to run their business properly, or not honest enough to tell me they don't want my business. Either way, I suggest you go elsewhere. Timewasters.

Has too much time to lecture the potential client and no time to listen. To full of themselves to care about customer needs. Was shocked to find such places even exist in 21st century. Plenty of alternative service provides with good customer service skills.

Helen has looked after my accounts for 10+ years and I honestly don’t know what I would do without her. She always goes above and beyond. 10/10 would recommend.

We have worked with John and his team for years, they have always been professional and helpful.

I am very surprised and dismayed to see that a few of the reviews for CBS are negative. I cannot overemphasise how positive my own experience has been with this wonderful firm over the course of nine years. I first encountered CBS as a co-director of a small, independent social work company. My former business partner and I are indebted (though thankfully NOT financially!!!) to John and Helen for all their support over the years. They are incredibly knowledgeable and helpful and have always gone out of their way to accommodate our numerous questions and accountancy support needs relating to both the business and our personal taxes.

More recently (2020), I have established and become co-director of an independent guitar shop. My new business partners and I knew very little about the retail sector and even less about related tax and accountancy matters when we set up the company. From their first advisory involvement through to our current contract, CBS have been incredibly supportive, offering timely, personable, and patient responses to my endless questions - whether by e-mail, telephone, Zoom, or face-to-face meetings at their premises or ours. I know that CBS will always provide me with the level of detail and information I need, and they always ensure that our business and personal tax returns are accurate and submitted on time. Between John, Helen, and our fantastic account manager Kelly, I have become better educated and more confident with the legal implications of our financial situation, VAT, the HMRC Margin Scheme (for second-hand goods), Xero accountancy software, and countless individual tax-related scenarios and conundrums. And all the support is delivered with warmth and good humour, without pressure or criticism even when things are stressful. "Going the extra mile" doesn't even begin to cover it!

John, Helen, and Kelly are my main points of contact, but in my experience their colleagues within CBS are equally efficient, competent, and friendly. Sound professional and personal values, and a collective ethos of supporting small, independent businesses, are evident in all aspects of CBS's work. As for cost, in my opinion CBS accountancy fees are low for the level of service they provide; and flexible according to individual circumstances and requirements. I trust CBS implicitly with our accounts and would recommend them without reservation to anyone seeking a fair, business-minded yet person-centred service.

Messed up furlough payments every month and told my employees it was my fault. Left it to last Friday of each month at 4pm to send over wages (nearly every time was wrong) then no one to speak to over weekend to fix the problem because they left so late, causing a lot unnecessary stress and unhappy staff. Told John about this problem but nothing ever got sorted. Never got told about trivia benefits that I could benefit myself and my business from.

Central Business Services are first rate, we have used them since 2006 and have recommended their services to many other small businesses. They are responsive, supportive, flexible and always helpful. They focus on detail and explain options fully, we consider them “forensic accounts” with their level of expertise and thoroughness. Highly recommend. Wendy Silberman and Ming Nagel, Directors of Integritas Support Ltd.