Our story

Cyril Haines Watts founded the firm back in 1930 and what started out small and from humble beginnings has continued to grow over the last 90 years into the Top 15 firm of chartered accountants you see today, with offices throughout the UK.

However, we are more than just an accountancy firm, Haines Watts is known for the personal touch when it comes to helping aspirational owner-managed businesses go from strength to strength; we pride ourselves on being passionate about your business and we value the relationships you, our clients, choose to have with us.

Haines Watts has had a strong entrepreneurial spirit woven into each cycle of our growth, which underpins our DNA and clients know that we’ve got their back. It’s exciting working with owner managers, real decision-makers; the people at the sharp end of their business and being able to make a real difference to their success.

Our purpose Join our team

Historically...

“accountancy has been about preparing company accounts and their profits etc., but here at Haines Watts it’s more than that, we work with business owners, talking, building relationships with them, and eventually giving them advice which suddenly becomes a lot more exciting, challenging and a more rewarding prospect.”

Our Timeline

Founded in 1930, we continuously pride ourselves on being innovative and progressive in everything we do. We are immensely proud of our history and our achievements in more than 90 years of business.

1930's

Cyril Haines Watts qualified as an Accountant whilst acquiring his first clients.

1940's

The first office was set up in a wooden shed, a desk, two chairs, a filing cabinet and a shared phone. Within the first year, two members of staff were recruited and new larger premises found.

1950's

With no proactive sales drive, more and more clients came on board having heard ‘word of mouth’ about the customer driven one stop shop accountancy practice.

1960's

A second partner joined and the acquisitions began. New services were introduced including Tax and Mechanised Bookkeeping.

1970's

Our business continues to grow due to new and more complex legislation. New premises were found and by the end of the decade we boasted eight offices in the Thames Valley area.

1980's

We expand our office network across the UK. We set up specialist divisions to offer clients a better range of services.

1990's

Tremendous organic growth achieved and we became a Top 20 firm in the UK. We became a true alternative to the then Big 5, with comprehensive services and expertise. Additional specialist divisions are added.

2000's

We focus on being geographically close to our clients, with many new offices opening. Significant expansion of non-core services to ensure we continue to offer the ultimate ‘full service’ for all clients.

2010's

We focus on strengthening our client relationships and offering more comprehensive support for business owners by reinforcing our position as true business advisors – not just merely accountants.

Now

2020 was the most socially and economically challenging year of recent history. Lockdown and social distancing became the new normal. As business advisors and accountants we too had to evolve and adapt to help our clients through these challenges. But that’s what we strive for: to make a real difference when our customers need us the most and to succeed together.