In another Cashtrak Case Study, we look at Kingsmead Testing, and the work we have been carrying out recently to update their processes.
Kingsmead Testing has been trading since 2004, initially working only in the High Wycombe area, but now servicing customers across England. The company specialises in providing a high quality testing service to medium-sized companies, and has worked in recent years for a wide variety of clients, including several airlines at Heathrow Airport, construction firms, foreign exchange specialists, retailers and public sector organisations to name but a few. Kingsmead Testing will consider every project - no job too large or small!
Portable appliance testing is one of the unseen jobs that all companies must have carried out at appropriate intervals under the provisions of the Health and Safety and Work Act 1974 to keep employees and visitors safe. It is easy for business owners to try and ignore this important legal requirement, but in certain industries, such as construction, testing intervals for some electrical tools are as frequent as every three months. It is interesting to note that the Health and Safety and Work Act is one of just a few pieces of legislation that carry ’reverse onus of proof’. This means that defendants are guilty until proven innocent; In the event of an incident, accident or prosecution, the onus is on the business owner to prove that every reasonably practicable step was taken to meet the requirements of the Act. This should put electrical testing at the top of every business owner’s checklist, right next to bookkeeping!
When we took Kingsmead Testing on as a client about 8 years ago, the company was run by a small office team, and a number of site operatives who carried out the testing work. After a few years of trading the company realised that it needed a bookkeeper to support the office staff, and Cashtrak was recruited.
Grant Foster, Kingsmead Testing MD, says
“We came to Carol for support on the bookkeeping side because we recognised that we needed help. As a business owner, I know a certain amount, but I needed an expert to fill in the gaps. With Carol, you know where you are, and she does everything by the book. This gives me the peace of mind that our books are up to date, and that the work is being done accurately.”
Cashtrak was the first bookkeeper to be engaged by Kingsmead, which had some advantages. We were able to set things up correctly from the outset, and for many years we came to their premises weekly to keep on top of the paperwork.
Over time, the office team at KTS has matured and personnel have changed. So we have recommended in recent months that the company moves from Sage accounting software to Xero. In her trademark style, Carol has streamlined the bookkeeping procedures in the KTS office and will shortly be training the office team to use Datamolino to scan and email incoming purchase invoices, so that she can provide support throughout the week, and work remotely.
This new way of working will provide MD Grant Foster with a range of reports in Xero, that will give him a snapshot of the company’s financial health at any moment. Grant says “New technology can feel time-consuming and daunting to start with, but we know the benefits will come. As trusted advisors, the team at Cashtrak are well placed to help me prepare my business for the future.”
You can download this case study in full on our Testimonials page.