For Cathryn Boorman, finding the right accountant was always about one thing – a strong working relationship.

Cathryn is a local client who has worked with Ben Branson at Milsted Langdon for around three years.

However, the story of how she came to be a client of the firm speaks to something more than professional credentials alone.

A connection worth chasing

For Cathryn, the relationship she had built with Ben was an important part of her financial advice journey. When he moved to a new firm, she continued with her existing provider but remained curious about where his career had taken him.

“For me, it is very much about having a connection with somebody,” she explains.

Hoping their paths might cross again, Cathryn kept an ear to the ground. As it happened, the opportunity arrived unexpectedly during a chance encounter at a local supermarket.

“I bumped into Ben in the supermarket. I said, ‘It’s really nice to see you and now that there’s been enough time since you moved on, can you tell me where you’ve gone so I can come and join you?’”

The conversation led to an exchange of contact details, and shortly afterwards Cathryn made the move to continue working with Ben. Looking back, she says it was a decision she has been very happy with ever since.

Personal tax, with a personal touch

Ben handles Cathryn’s annual tax return and is a regular presence in her life throughout the year, dropping in to collect papers, catching up over a cup of tea and being available whenever a question arises.

“I’ve got some wealth management involved in my portfolio and he also liaises with the wealth managers because from time to time it’s necessary for the two to communicate,” said Cathryn.

“If I ever need any help or I’m concerned about anything to do with tax or money or whatever, I just email him and he’s always there to help.”

Trusted enough to recommend

One of the clearest signs of a strong professional relationship is the willingness to recommend.

Cathryn has introduced Ben to several members of her family and a close family friend, each with their own financial needs.

Her son has received UK tax advice, while her brother and a friend of his both required help with overseas tax matters, as well as UK property purchases.

“When somebody says, can you recommend an accountant? I go, well, actually, yes, I can,” added Cathryn.

Referrals of this kind, she observes, say something in themselves adding: “It speaks volumes that I came to Milsted Langdon when Ben moved.”

Objective advice on complex decisions

Cathryn’s affairs are not straightforward. Alongside her annual tax return, she has navigated questions involving investment portfolios, property and longer-term financial planning.

What she values most is Ben and the firm’s ability to offer measured, objective guidance rather than simply telling her what to do.

“He doesn’t always just say, well, look, I think if I were you, I would do this. Sometimes he’ll say, maybe you look at it like this and see what you think.

 “That’s great, because he’s not always in a position to give a direct recommendation, but he also points out things I’ve not thought about or wouldn’t know anything about. That has helped me learn a lot and be more confident in my finances.”

The result

For Cathryn, the value of working with Milsted Langdon is straightforward to describe.

“That holistic, joined-up approach is the other reason that Ben and the firm are so good. It has helped me learn and look at things from a wider perspective,” she said.

When asked to sum up Milsted Langdon in three words, she chose – personable, helpful and fair.

Why Milsted Langdon?

A decade-long loyalty that crossed firm boundaries, a family of referrals and a professional relationship that has grown well beyond a single annual tax return are the reason that Cathryn works with Ben and the Milsted Langdon team.

For her, Milsted Langdon is not just an accountancy firm, it is the adviser she trusts with every significant financial decision.

If you would like to find out how Milsted Langdon could support you, please contact our team for a confidential conversation.