'Tax Shop' in regional prize

WINNERS! From left, Chantelle Carter, Lewis Bostock, Laura Delaney, Yvonne Cookson, Gemma Bennett, Fiona Heyes, Joshua Thomas and Francesca Harrison. Mossley Tax Shop at North West Finance awards

A FIRM of accountants and tax advisers has received two regional financial industry awards - and praised Oldham Evening Chronicle advertising campaigns for helping to build the business.

Mossley Tax Shop was named Accountancy Firm of the Year (practices with up to five partners) at the North West Finance Awards and staff member Laura Delaney (27) was named Assistant Accountant of the Year.

The awards celebrate outstanding achievement in finance and accounting departments of business in all sectors. They recognise excellence at all levels, from purchase ledger and credit roles to financial controller and finance teams. This year's award ceremony was held at Bolton's Macron Stadium.

Staff from Mossley Tax Shop attended the event and went on stage to receive the two accolades. The photo shows, from left, Chantelle Carter, Lewis Bostock, Laura Delaney, Yvonne Cookson, Gemma Bennett, Fiona Heyes, Joshua Thomas and Francesca Harrison.

Mrs Cookson, a partner who founded the business, said: "We were really thrilled to win these two awards. Everyone has worked so hard for this and I'm delighted that their hard work has paid off. I'm really pleased for Laura, who has been with me since the business started five-and-a-half years ago. I launched it with just the two of us and Laura has worked really hard since."

Mrs Cookson also highlighted the importance of Mossley Tax Shop's advertising campaigns with the Oldham Evening Chronicle. The firm is a regular advertiser and has developed its brand over the past four years.

She said: "Our advertising with the Chronicle has helped massively and has had a huge impact on business. We've developed a strong visual style, using photographs of staff, which has been distinctive and has really raised our profile. The public has a much better awareness of us and a better understanding of what we do.

"We work with Mike Thompson, an advertising rep at the Chronicle, who is like part of the family. It's nice to work with other people in developing the business and I'd thoroughly recommend advertising in the Chronicle."

David Stanford, deputy president of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants, has been a member of the North West Finance Awards judging panel since its inception seven years ago.

He said: "Many of the nominations were really high quality. Some entrants were so strong in previous years they would have won."