JA
James Ashworth FCCA
Founding Partner
Fifteen years in mid-tier practice before founding the firm in 2014. Leads corporate compliance and owner-managed business tax planning.
About the Firm
An independent practice built on straight answers
Ashworth & Partners was founded in Manchester in 2014 by accountants who had grown tired of watching good businesses receive vague advice and vague invoices.
Our Story
Founded to make good advice feel accessible
James Ashworth and Sophie Lund met in a mid-tier Manchester practice, where the clients they enjoyed working with most — owner-managed businesses and ambitious sole traders — were consistently the ones given the least attention.
They opened a two-desk office in Spinningfields in 2014 with a simple premise: fixed fees, named contacts, and advice explained in language a business owner can act on the same afternoon. Twelve years later the team has grown to eleven, and that premise hasn't moved.
Today we support more than 500 clients across Greater Manchester and the North West, from first-year freelancers to companies turning over several million pounds.
- 2014
- Founded
- 500+
- Clients
- 11
- Team members
ACCA & ACA Qualified
Every partner and manager holds a chartered or chartered certified qualification and completes annual CPD.
HMRC Registered Agents
We are authorised to act on your behalf with HMRC for Self Assessment, VAT, PAYE and corporation tax.
Professional Indemnity Insured
Full professional indemnity cover in place, alongside ACCA practising certificates and client money protection.
The Team
The people who'll actually handle your work
SL
Sophie Lund ACA
Partner, Business Advisory
Former audit manager turned advisor. Works with SMEs on forecasting, funding applications and management reporting.
MR
Marcus Reid ACCA
Tax Manager
Personal and capital gains tax specialist. Handles complex Self Assessment, property portfolios and HMRC enquiries.
HP
Hannah Patel
Head of Bookkeeping & Payroll
Xero and QuickBooks certified advisor overseeing MTD bookkeeping, VAT and fully managed payroll for over 200 clients.
Our Approach
Three commitments we hold ourselves to
Clarity first
Every letter, email and meeting is written in language you can act on. If we can't explain it simply, we haven't finished thinking about it.
Proactive, not reactive
We raise opportunities and risks while there's still time to do something about them — not in a year-end summary after the fact.
No unexpected fees
Your fee is fixed and agreed in writing. Calls, emails and quick questions are included, always.
Free Consultation
Speak to an accountant who actually explains things
Book a free, no-obligation 15-minute call. We'll tell you exactly what you need — and what you don't.
Book a Free Consultation