The Challenge
The Montessori Community School employs around 16 staff, 13 teachers and two administrators. It is managed by trustees as well as a manager and deputy manager.
In 2015, the school’s former accountants told them they were no longer working with charitable organisations, leaving the school without an accountant.
The Solution
The school’s manager Winnie Cao Sharples, who has worked at the school since 2003, quickly went online to search for a replacement accountant and came across Warrener Stewart.
Warrener Stewart was delighted to be able to help the Montessori Community School. With a sound understanding of the regulations associated with governance, compliance, and accounting for charitable businesses they were able to confidently accept appointment as the school’s auditor, allowing Winnie to concentrate on the school’s operations.
The Result
Winnie said, “When our previous accountants stopped working with non-profit charitable organisations such as ourselves I was concerned. But when I spoke to Warrener Stewart they seemed to be a good alternative. It turns out this change was for the better, Warrener Stewart was a great choice and I have honestly not looked back since.
“They do both the accounts and the audit for the school, and I find them really easy to work with, far better than our previous firm. I used to be an accountant, so I know how to work with accountants and auditors. Our previous auditor asked irrelevant questions, but Warrener Stewart know exactly what they are doing. They understand what needs to be done and do the job required without any fuss.
“I find them professional and efficient, and they provide a very good service. My accountant Alex knows our business and operation very well and we have developed a really good working relationship. We have regular catch ups, since Covid these tend to be video calls which suits us both because we know each other so well. If I do have any queries, everything gets sorted on a quick call.
"This is a very busy job and I appreciate the great support I receive from the team at Warrener Stewart. I am very proud of the work that the school does. We provide a valuable service to our community, and we teach children from very diverse backgrounds as well as from different countries. Each cultural difference is encouraged, and its importance endorsed. This year we received a Healthy Early Years Silver Award in recognition of our achievements in child health, wellbeing, and development in early years settings. We are looking forward to continued success for many years to come.”
Client's View
“I find them professional and efficient, and they provide a very good service. My accountant Alex knows our business and operation very well and we have developed a really good working relationship.”
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