Meet the Member - Steve Collings from LWA

• Name of Business
  LWA Ltd (Accountants & Business Advisors)
• Who are you?
  Director at LWA
• What sets you apart from the competition?
  Our team are genuinely passionate about the work that we do for businesses, individuals, property landlords and sports professionals. We focus on ensuring clients meet their legal tax compliance whilst maximising tax reliefs to ensure they keep as much of the money they work so hard to earn. Feedback from our clients shows we’re achieving our goal of giving back time to our clients, taking the stress away so that they can have a better a work-life balance. And there is no better feeling than receiving amazing comments like this from a client!
• How did the business come about? / * How long has your business been in existence?
  In its original form, the accountancy service from our offices in Sale have been offered since the early 90’s. I joined the firm in 2000 and was appointed as Director in 2010. We opened our Warrington office in 2015 where I am mainly based.
• What are your main target markets?
  We work with individuals and SME businesses in a range of sectors including construction, manufacturing, property investment and childcare, and we also provide specialist support to regulated firms and charities, and the sports sector. Our clients are based mainly in the North West, however this has expanded over the past few years to include clients across the UK.
• How many staff do you employ?
  We now have 18 staff members in our team working across both offices (in Birchwood Park, and in Sale, Manchester), including the following senior staff:

Les Leavitt, Managing Director
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/lesleavitt/

Steve Collings, Audit & Technical Director
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/steve-collings-fmaat-fcca-95a68617/

Nickie Antley-Slater, Tax Manager
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/nickie-antley-10729a19/

Amy Daniels, Accounts Manager
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/amy-daniels-accountant/

Matt Jones, Audit & Accounts Manager, and Innovation Lead
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/matthew-jones-fcca-8393b550/

• What job or achievement makes you most proud?
  Receiving regular testimonials, LinkedIn recommendations and Google Reviews from clients on the levels of service the team provide makes us extremely proud. At LWA, our aim is to make clients feel that their business is valued, that they’re being listened to and getting advice that is timely and relevant. This means they’re a happy client and happy clients tell us we are doing a great job.
• Where do you see the business being in five years?
  Our growth across the region from referrals and recommendations is continuing at a steady pace, resulting in the growth of our team. We’re looking forward to expanding our presence in Warrington by recruiting from the local area and taking more office space. One of the reasons behind this growth is our focus on technology that has assisted the success of our clients. The whole team at LWA work as an extension of our client’s business, providing support to see them through the ups and downs of their journey, working as a genuine partnership. Our family approach has paid huge dividends for the practice and we’re excited for the continuation of this over the next five years.
• Tell us one interesting thing about the business that might surprise us?
  We value our team at LWA and their contribution to the business. That is why each and every colleague gets a day off work on their birthday in addition to their annual holiday!
• Tell us one interesting thing about you that people might not know? (ie, hobbies, amusing fact, etc)
  As well as being a director at LWA, I have authored over 30 books including a few for the famous For Dummies series - Corporate Finance for Dummies and Financial Accounting for Dummies.

My latest book has recently been published titled An Auditor’s Guide to Auditing Financial Statements in the UK and provides guidance on all aspects of auditing, from Client Acceptance to Audit Planning and Fraud Detection. The book is not just a technical manual – it’s a resource aimed at supporting auditors in an increasingly complex and demanding profession.

• Fantasy dinner party - which six people alive or dead would you invite?

• Luca Pacilio - An Italian mathematician from the Renaissance, renowned as the "father of accounting" for formalising double-entry bookkeeping.
• J K Rowling - Best known for the Harry Potter series, which became a global literary and cultural phenomenon but has written so many other great books (under her own, and pseudo names).
• Susie Dent – I’m a big fan of this lexicographer and TV personality celebrated for her expertise in the English language, especially as featured on Countdown.
• Jonny Wilkinson - I went to see him earlier this year and found him to be very inspirational.
• Laura Dodsworth - Author of 'The State of Fear' who I think is such a great writer and commentator on real-life issues.
• Sam Burgess - Warrington Wolves Head Coach - a down-to-earth bloke who's a proven success.

If you are looking for accounting advice in a business or personal matter, please contact a member of our team on 01925 830 830 or you can email mail@lwaltd.com. Learn more about how LWA serve the Warrington community including lots of helpful blogs, at LWAltd.com.