Six reasons to partner with us!

We’ve been around the block

We’ve been in the accounting arena long enough to truly understand business and the distinct accounting requirements of individual businesses. With this practical knowhow, we’ve graduated to be more than just an accounting firm – we are accounting and tax planning problem solvers.

We add value to your business

As accounting professionals we are closely linked with our industry and have a detailed perspective of the overall accounting and taxation framework. This understanding gives us the opportunity to set up customer-specific service packages for the benefit of your business according to your requirements. We also keep you up to date with essential business news and handy tax pointers when you register for our monthly newswire email. And, if you are unable to come to us, we will visit you at a date and time convenient for you. We seek to exceed expectations and to be your competent business partner who offers more than only accounting and taxation services.

A practical and to-the-point approach

We’ve structured our business to allow for an unrestricted and efficient workflow. Phone calls and emails will be responded to within a maximum of 24 hours. We can handle all your paperwork, from self-assessment tax returns to payroll, and accurately arrange your documentation in a timely manner. We outline tax planning opportunities that may be available to you in a free initial review of your tax affairs. This helps you make the most of your tax benefits. In short, it is easy to work with us, to get the required results, and to get it promptly and punctually!

We’re professional (yet ordinary!) people

When you knock on our door, you’ll be working with people (in case you’ve missed it … humans!) who want to make a difference in the lives of others. We are a good-natured, friendly and down-to-earth team who listen to you and make sure we understand your needs (we do not believe in a one-solution-fits-all approach), and we implement our services in a way which keeps everyone in the loop. We work towards building long-lasting, professional relationships based on a personal approach, individual attention and – especially - trust. The cherry on top? We speak in plain English – no complicated, technical jargon when we’re around

We’re adaptable and affordable

Whether you’re running a top-notch business with a huge turnover, a nifty home industry, or perhaps launching a close-to-your-heart start-up, we are aligned to cater for your needs … and to do so affordably. We seek to offer fixed fees to all of our clients (which makes it easy to budget for our services), alongside free phone support and meetings as and when you require it.

Above all, we run our business with integrity

We subscribe to the ethics of our industry and remain true to the honest and truthful values we’ve set for ourselves. Your business is safe with us and we’ll handle it with prudence, sensitivity and discretion. Peace of mind? For sure!

Our Team

LEE WEST

Founder and Accountant

Lee qualified as AAT in 2007 after being trained in a fast-growing accountancy practice based in Clifton, Bristol, and established his own practice in 2010.  He is a business strategist with experience, knowledge, and insight to offer as far as business strategy and key financial decisions go.

At the same time, he retains a passion to ensure his clients operate in a tax-efficient manner and have access to accurate, relevant, and timely financial data.

Driven to make a difference, Lee is also a trustee of South Bristol Sports Centre and advises other charities from a strategic and financial viewpoint on a regular basis.

He can’t sit still for long, enjoys spending time with his family, and walking the dogs and riding his horse.

Ben Woodbridge

Director, specialising in tax

Ben has nearly twenty years of practical experience working with SME businesses and individuals, achieving AAT, ACCA & CTA qualifications.  A key asset to the practice and its growth, he focusses on providing an all-round, personalised accounting and tax advice support service to our clients, regardless of their size. This service is based on the same ethos of our practice, namely, to build long-lasting, professional, and sincere relationships.

Outside of work, Ben enjoys adventures with his family, chilling with a good series or film and playing football.

Chloe Scott-Coogan

Client Manager

Chloe is an ACCA qualified accountant, acting as a client manager here at West & Co. Her responsibilities include preparing both financial and management accounts, payroll, VAT and providing general support to the team.

In her spare time, she spends time with her husband and three-year-old little boy, including taking him to watch Bristol City and playing with endless amounts of toy cars!

Katie Maj

Accounts Senior

Katie is AAT qualified. Her responsibilities include preparing financial statements, payroll, CIS, VAT and providing general support to the team.

In her spare time, she enjoys baking sourdough bread and doing gardening.

Rosie Ochola

Bookkeeper and payroll administrator

Rosie has worked in finance for both private and charity sectors. Rosie is a mother, a facilitator and mentor (Stepping Up Programme in Bristol). She loves nature, meditation, travelling and occasionally loves to go to the gym.

Emma Bickerstaffe - Bookkeeper and payroll administrator

Emma Bickerstaffe

Bookkeeper and payroll administrator

Emma is AAT qualified and is an experienced bookkeeper both in practice and industry. Emma is also known as Tawny Owl in her local brownie pack, and she is an experienced collector of rescue cats.

Hayley Evans

Bookkeeper

Hayley is an FCCA qualified accountant who is returning to work after time out raising her children. Hayley enjoys exploring nature and foraging with her family, she coaches football and plays competitive tennis and badminton.

Sarah Stagg – Office support

Sarah Stagg

Office support

Over the last 45 years I have had a varied career from Hairdressing to Education with Event Management and Corporate Sponsorship in between. Enjoys walking her dog, spending time with her grandchildren and SOCIALISING

Danielle West

Danielle West

Personal Assistant to Directors

Danielle has been part of West & Co from its beginning and assists Lee in providing planning and support.

Outside the office Danielle is a devoted mother who enjoys horse-riding and walking their dogs.

Jen Woodbridge

Office support

Often working behind the scenes, she has provided valuable administrative services and support over the years, but recently taking time out to support her family.

Jen enjoys the outdoors visiting new places, not as often as she used to but a decent book to read and get lost in and there’s always time to shop!

SHEPHERD

OUR LOVE-CHARM

Shepherd takes his role as West & Co’s social assistant and staff welfare worker seriously. He is a regular in the workplace, actively doing his rounds to make sure the team is happy and relaxed, yet productively busy with the task at hand.

Outside of the office (but also at the business!) he thrives upon warm-hearted cuddles!