THE Droitwich accountancy practice Ballard Dale Syree Watson has become a member of the CharterGroup Accountancy Alliance.

Based in Worcester, the CharterGroup was founded in 1986 and is the top national alliance of quality independent accountancy practices in the country.

It is a kite-mark for companies wishing to appoint an accountant; a quality service is assured if they choose a CharterGroup member firm.

Membership entitles firms to receive a wealth of benefits and is a forum to share information and seek advice and support on a wide range of topical issues.

Ballard Dale Syree Watson’s founder member Bill Ballard said being a member of the CharterGroup offered much more than a seal of quality to external organisations.

He said: “Independent practices such as ourselves can derive so many benefits from CharterGroup membership, such as help with marketing activities and other business development opportunities and receiving client referrals.

“It is important that our profession pools intelligence and other resources, particularly in today’s climate of economic uncertainty.”

Membership of the Charter- Group has helped the firm to align and promote the services it offers to respond to recent ecomonic trends.

“We are really busy preparing cash flows and forecasts, as well as assisting clients to restructure their finances or secure alternative sources of funding, such as asset-based lending,” said Mr Ballard.

“While we would have expected to see a slight downturn in some aspects of our practice, with less business start-ups and many established client-companies cautious about their growth strategies, we are experiencing high levels of activity in these areas also.”