Chartered accountants Whitmarsh Sterland has supported The Hunts Post Huntingdonshire Business Awards from the start. Partner Trevor Crowe talks business to Lisa Hanlon. WHITMARSH Sterland is a company familiar with good business. The independent charter

Chartered accountants Whitmarsh Sterland has supported The Hunts Post Huntingdonshire Business Awards from the start. Partner Trevor Crowe talks business to Lisa Hanlon.

WHITMARSH Sterland is a company familiar with good business. The independent chartered accountants have been helping clients for half a century.

"This is a good year for us," said chartered accountant and partner Trevor Crowe. "We are celebrating the 50th anniversary of the formation of the business."

This is not the only sign of success for Whitmarsh Sterland. Amongst the latest company initiatives are IT hardware support and software systems advice and installation.

"Our business support group has seen a 220 per cent increase in orders for [accounts software] Sage and related software and was winner of the award for highest year on year growth in the South East," said Mr Crowe. "Every year has its challenges but we are encouraged by the amount of new business that we are seeing and the growth of a number of our clients. We also continue to add new value-based services to the range we can offer to businesses while investing in high-quality professionals and specialist training in both managerial and technical skills."

The company, which is proud to have regular contact with all its clients, has offices in St Neots and Cambridge, nine partners and a client portfolio of small and medium-sized businesses operating in the Anglia region. Services include bookkeeping, payroll, accounts preparation production and audit, tax compliance and planning, management consultancy and independent financial advice.

He added: "This is a very prestigious award and judges will be looking for a well run business with a well thought-out business plan and clear strategy. Many of the previous prize winners are excellent businesses who will undoubtedly do well."

He believes businesses need to be increasingly innovative and different to succeed: "Employees are the most important resource of any business and the ability to focus on this base is critical. Continually improving performance is one of the keys to success."

The heightened profile of past winners is evidence of the bonus that taking part and winning an awards offers.

"The Hunts Post is well read by the business community," said Mr Crowe. "Taking part in the awards is a chance to be seen by your peers and allows you to show how well you have done."

The Business of the Year category is not directly applied for by businesses. The winner will be chosen from the other category finalists who are automatically put forward for this title.

INFORMATION: Whitmarsh Sterland offices are at: The Shrubbery, Church Street, St Neots. (01480 373000) and 62 Hills Road, Cambridge (01223 570000). See www.whitmarsh.co.uk