Driving efficiency through expense simplification

We have worked with Detail Design Engineering (DDE) for over 15 years, assisting with their management accounts and accounting software migration as well as providing ad hoc digital advisory services to drive internal efficiencies.

About DDE

DDE are committed to keeping buildings efficient and comfortable. They provide cost effective and reliable building controls solutions, from traditional HVAC automation to the latest feature rich smart building solutions.

The issue

DDE had 40+ engineers ‘on the road’ travelling all across the UK. As the number of engineers on the ground grew, the ability to record and pay their expenses became increasingly burdensome.

The solution

When we first met with DDE to discuss their accounts, it became clear that the business would benefit from using Dext to automate invoice processing. We set this up and provided the relevant training so that they could get through the high volume of invoices in a more efficient manner. As a result, when we started looking at the expenses issue, we were able to provide a solution with no additional costs. Instead, our team demonstrated the full capabilities of the existing Dext license and introduced Dext Expense Reports.

The result

DDE’s engineers now spend more time out with customers, and less time going back and forward to head office to submit receipts. Dext Expenses enables the team to digitally capture each receipt with their phone via the app. At each month-end their monthly expense report is generated with supporting images for simplified processing and paying.

“The move from our old

accountant to Harold Sharp has

been like night and day with

regards to visibility of our income

and expenditure. Suddenly we feel

like we’re really in the driver’s

seat and that’s made a huge

difference in terms of goal

setting”

 

 

Dean Fieldhouse

Director

Hiya Technology Limited

 

Advising a fifth generation Family Property Investment Office

We have worked with the Ellis Campbell Group for over a century, through many ups and downs, successions, recessions, restructurings, joint ventures.

About The Ellis Campbell Group

The Ellis Campbell Group are a 130 year old family property investment office originating in Manchester. We currently work with Laura Montgomery, MD, whose grandfather instructed Harold Sharp to act for the Group well before he launched the firm in 1927. In fact, in 2019 Harold Sharp Limited and The Ellis Campbell Group celebrated 100 years of partnership and friendship.

The brief

The Ellis Campbell Group own a portfolio of properties through various group companies and joint venture structures. They wanted to focus on implementing their business strategy and found that outsourcing helped them to do that. At the same time they needed to be able to rely on their accounting and tax records, and all compliance aspects of their portfolio. They were looking for a proactive and collaborative approach and wanted a trusted adviser to be there to provide clear, prompt and meaningful day-to-day advice.

The solution

Our dedicated property team at Harold Sharp have an impressive understanding of the Ellis Campbell family and business on all fronts and provide the full breadth of services, ranging from an outsourced accounting and tax compliance service to accounts for the complex corporate and trust structure of the family office. On top of that, we provide advice at a more strategic Board and tax planning level.

The outcome

Well, we’ve been working together for over 100 years! The Ellis Campbell Group have complete faith in our team’s ability and depth of knowledge and appreciate our holistic approach to their family and business accountancy and tax needs.