About Us
Our Story So Far
We’re here to empower you to grow with integrity, balancing purpose AND profit at every step
We are award-winning chartered accountants in Cornwall, who believe in business as a force for good. With the triple bottom line principles at the heart of everything we do, we are passionate about empowering other companies to create a better future for all. We don’t just want to profit individuals, we want to sustainably grow businesses to benefit a greater good – be it their employees, charitable causes, community projects or the environment. Read more about our values here.
A Long-Established History
Harland Accountants is headed up by three directors: David Harland, Deborah Edwards and Martyn Olver, having originally been established in the 1978 by David’s father, Michael Harland. Today we are a progressive, modern firm who embrace digital technology to support ambitious businesses across the UK. Based in beautiful coastal Cornwall, with offices in St Austell, Falmouth, Newquay and Helston, we are directly influenced by our stunning natural surroundings and take looking after our environment seriously. We are currently embarking on the journey to B Corp accreditation, and are aiming to be plastic free in the near future too.
A Passion for Socially-minded Organisations
The directors passion and involvement with other socially minded organisations is deep founded – David is the CEO of the Lost Gardens of Heligan, and Deborah is Finance Director at Crowdfunder UK, so not your average practice accountants! Read more about our individual team members here. Having worked hard to build a team with low staff turnover who share the core values of business for good, we deliver a magnitude of accounting services to support your business on both a day-to-day and long-term basis.
Quality Control
We take quality control extremely seriously, and to uphold the consistent high level of advice we deliver to you, we ensure 3 things:
Qualifications
All our team are qualified or working towards a nationally recognised qualification. Alarmingly, it is not a legal requirement to call yourself an accountant! But at Harland Accountants, you’re in safe hands.
Regulation
As members of The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW), we are regulated by the highest possible standards. If something in the accounting world changes, you can rest assured we will know about it first.
Experience
Many members of our team are business owners themselves, bringing an informed perspective acquired through first-hand business experience. This means we truly understand the challenges you face and are perfectly positioned to offer tailored advice and proactive solutions that drive real results.
“You can’t succeed in business by standing on the side-lines, you have to completely understand the blood that flows through a company and be prepared to immerse yourself in it.”
Deborah Edwards
Director
How We Live Our Values Every Day
We strive to be socially conscious and believe businesses who act with kindness are simply better businesses. That’s why we’ve developed own ‘Force-for-good’ programme, where every member of our team devotes a portion of their time to developing projects with a good causes. Projects in our FFG programme currently include fundraising for our Charity of the Year, Cornwall Mind, embarking on the B Corp accreditation journey, and launching a very special community impact initiative (watch this space!).
Why Choose a Chartered Accountant?
Accountant vs Chartered Accountant
Did you know that legally anyone can call themselves an accountant? Yes, frightening isn’t it!? You put your livelihood and financial trust into the guidance of someone who doesn’t actually hold any qualifications.
But to be a chartered accountant that person must spend a minimum 3 years completing in-depth training, examinations and hold a practice certificate. Chartered accountants are committed to continued professional development and regularly keep their skills up to date and relevant. If the law changes, your chartered accountant will know about it! As well as abiding to a strict code of ethics and disciplinary procedures upheld by the governing body, The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales. The letters ACA (Associate Chartered Accountant), ACCA (Associate Certified Chartered Accountant), or FCA (Fellow Chartered Accountant) do not come lightly.
Here at Harland we are extremely proud be registered with both the ICAEW and the ACCA and to have a team where everyone is either qualified, or working towards their qualifications.
You wouldn’t trust an unqualified doctor to look after your health, so why would you let an unqualified accountant look after your business?
How We Work
Step 1
Fixed Fees
First off, we’ll discuss your accounting needs and agree a fixed fee with you. This is then split into manageable payments and paid by direct debit. Simple, convenient and most importantly surprise-free.
Step 2
Cloud Technology
Next, we’ll get your business set-up using cloud-based, real time technology. It's a powerful tool knowing your business in real time and better yet, we’ll be on hand to tell you what all the data means.
Step 3
Your Business
We take the time to understand both your values and short/long-term financial goals. After a deep dive into your accounts data, we'll help identify opportunities to future proof your business.
Step 4
Continued Collaboration
You'll receive regular business health checks and support from your client manager who is passionate about working collaboratively to build a value-adding partnership.
Who we work with
Whether you’re a start-up or an established business, if you have big ambitions, you need an accountant with the same outlook. We are forward-thinking accountants, working every day with dynamic businesses to help them realise their goals.
- Individuals with a business idea
- Start-ups and new business ventures
- Ambitious Entrepreneurs
- Small businesses with big plans
- Medium-sized businesses >£1m turnover