Harrison Beale & Owen Limited

What Harrison Beale & Owen Limited does

Harrison Beale & Owen Limited (HB&O) is a UK-based independent chartered accountancy and business advisory firm incorporated in 2004 and registered in England (Company No. 5096463). The firm operates three offices across the West Midlands — a headquarters in Leamington Spa (Highdown House, CV31 1XT), a regional office in Coventry (Seven Stars House, CV3 4LB), and a Birmingham office (2nd Floor, 31 Temple Street, B2 5DB) — and is regulated by the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW). HB&O is a member firm of DFK International, a global association of independent accounting firms, which extends its service reach to clients with cross-border needs. Headcount is reported in the 251–500 band.

HB&O delivers its services through a service-catalog model rather than a unified SaaS platform, organised into two pillars: Advisory Services (Audit, Compliance, Education-sector accounting, Payroll, Direct Tax, VAT & Indirect Tax, Inheritance Tax/Trusts & Estates, Transaction Tax Services, and the Virtual Finance Office) and Growth Solutions (HR Consultancy, Independent Financial Advice, International Expansion, and Raising Finance). The Virtual Finance Office (VFO) is the firm's flagship outsourced-finance offering, combining bookkeeping, management reporting, payroll and VAT compliance into a single engagement and is described by clients as 'an absolute lifeline'. Technology stack is non-proprietary: HB&O is a Xero partner, deploys HMRC-approved digital accounting software to support Making Tax Digital (MTD) compliance, and runs its website on WP Engine (UK) Limited enterprise hosting with NCSC Cyber Essentials certification.

The firm earns fee-based professional services revenue priced per engagement (no public rate cards) across both recurring compliance/outsourcing work and project-based advisory. Its go-to-market is relationship-led and advisory-led, combining free initial consultations and a free Financial Health Check as lead-magnets with content marketing via the Knowledge Hub, organic social (LinkedIn, X, Facebook, Instagram), local SEO across the three cities, and Chamber of Commerce memberships. Customers are predominantly owner-managed and growing SMBs in the West Midlands (hospitality, education, manufacturing, retail, services), supplemented by personal-client engagements (sole traders, landlords, HNW families seeking IHT/estate planning). Three named individuals (Mark Ashfield as DPO/Managing Director, plus specialist blog authors Jessica Mason, Vanessa Glenn, Neil Allcroft, Holly Walker, and Chris Sudbury) represent the visible leadership; ownership and cap-table details are not disclosed.

Name

Harrison Beale & Owen Limited

Legal name

HB&O Ltd

Website

https://hboltd.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

2004

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

HB&O is a UK-based chartered accountancy and business advisory firm serving SMBs and individuals across the West Midlands from three offices (Leamington Spa, Coventry, Birmingham), offering audit, tax, compliance, payroll, and outsourced finance (Virtual Finance Office) services with international reach via DFK International.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Coventry

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Professional services fees: Fee-based revenue generated across a full suite of chartered accountancy services: audit, tax advisory (direct tax, VAT/indirect tax), compliance, payroll, transaction tax services, inheritance tax/trusts/estates, and the Virtual Finance Office (VFO). Engagements are priced via engagement letters / quotes rather than publicly disclosed fee schedules, and include both recurring (compliance, VFO retainer, payroll) and project-based (transaction tax, advisory) work. Testimonials note HB&O's fees are 'good value for money'.
2. Advisory and growth solutions: Cross-sell advisory engagements including international expansion, raising finance, HR consultancy, independent financial advice, succession planning, and management buyout (MBO) advisory. These are higher-value, project-based fees layered on top of core compliance work.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

HB&O is a UK chartered accountancy and business advisory firm delivering a full suite of professional services including audit, tax advisory (direct, indirect/VAT, transaction, inheritance), compliance, payroll, and the Virtual Finance Office (an outsourced finance function combining bookkeeping, management accounts, and finance oversight). It also provides growth solutions such as HR consultancy, independent financial advice, international expansion, and raising finance support for UK businesses and individuals.

Product overview

HB&O (Harrison Beale & Owen Limited) operates as a chartered accountancy and business advisory practice delivering a service-catalog model rather than a unified SaaS platform. The offering is organised into two pillars: Advisory Services, which encompass Audit, Compliance Services, Education Services, Payroll, Direct Tax (Tax Advisory), Inheritance Tax/Trusts & Estates, VAT & Indirect Tax, Transaction Tax Services, and the Virtual Finance Office (VFO) — the flagship outsourced finance function that combines bookkeeping, management reporting and finance oversight into a single engagement; and Growth Solutions, which comprise HR Consultancy, Independent Financial Advice, International Expansion, and Raising Finance. The free Financial Health Check sits alongside as a diagnostic entry point, while the firm's DFK International membership extends its reach globally. All services are delivered as discrete client engagements rather than a modular software platform.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Audit Services External audit services designed to ensure clients have the right controls in place to make their business work smarter, with year-round support beyond the audit itself. Aimed at UK businesses requiring statutory audit and assurance.
• Compliance Services Statutory and regulatory compliance support to help clients stay on top of routine filings and obligations, reducing the administrative burden. Targeted at owner-managed and growing UK businesses.
• Education Services Accounting services tailored to the education sector, supporting schools, academies, and education-related organisations with their finance and compliance needs.
• Payroll Outsourced payroll processing service handling payroll administration for client organisations on a recurring basis.
• Direct Tax (Tax Advisory) Direct tax advisory services focused on minimising tax liabilities and integrating tax strategy into business planning for owner-managed businesses and individuals.
• Inheritance Tax, Trusts & Estates Inheritance tax planning, trusts and estates advisory delivered by a dedicated IHT, Trusts and Estates department to protect legacies and minimise IHT exposure. Targeted at HNW families and individuals.
• VAT & Indirect Tax VAT and indirect tax advisory and compliance services, including support with VAT registration, Making Tax Digital for VAT, and complex VAT matters such as partial exemption and international supplies.
• Transaction Tax Services Tax support across the full transaction lifecycle, from initial planning through deal execution to post-transaction considerations. Targeted at businesses undertaking M&A, MBO, or similar transactions.
• Virtual Finance Office (VFO) Outsourced finance function solution that keeps clients' fingers on the pulse of their business by combining bookkeeping, management reporting and finance oversight into a single integrated service. Described by clients as an 'absolute lifeline'.
• HR Consultancy HR consultancy services helping clients keep pace with employment legislation and manage their people effectively. A growth solution layered on top of core compliance work.
• Independent Financial Advice Independent financial advice to help clients improve financial wellbeing and plan for a comfortable financial future. Targeted at individuals and business owners.
• International Expansion Support for kick-starting global operations, drawing on HB&O's international association (DFK International) and in-house experts. Targeted at UK businesses expanding internationally.
• Raising Finance Advisory and support to help clients secure the right finance for their business ideas, from initial structuring to funding arrangement.
• Financial Health Check A free diagnostic offering that reviews a business's numbers to confirm it is financially secure or flag where extra funding may be needed to navigate unexpected events. Lead-magnet entry point for new client engagements.

Quantifiable outcome

• Helps clients hit 'brutal' external audit deadlines (Trelawny SPT testimonial)
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered flagship / core, core, operational / infrastructure, core regulatory, minor and operational.

• DFK Internationalflagship / coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHB&O is a member firm of DFK International, a leading global association of independent accounting firms. The membership extends HB&O's reach globally, supports clients expanding internationally, and provides access to cross-border expertise. DFK International also awarded HB&O 'International Firm of the Year 2023'.
• XerocoreTechnology or IntegrationHB&O displays the Xero accreditation prominently on its homepage and recommends Xero cloud accounting software to clients, including one-to-one support with the software they recommend. This positions HB&O as a Xero adviser / partner.
• WP Engine (UK) Limitedoperational / infrastructureTechnology or IntegrationWP Engine (UK) Limited (company number 09195219, registered office Ground Floor, One George Yard, London, EC3V 9DF) hosts the HB&O website on behalf of the firm. Disclosed in HB&O's privacy policy.
• Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW)core regulatoryOthersHB&O is a chartered accountancy firm regulated by ICAEW and is listed in the ICAEW Business Advice Service directory. ICAEW is HB&O's professional body and provides regulatory oversight, quality assurance reviews, and a disciplinary framework.
• Coventry & Warwickshire Chamber of CommerceminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHB&O is a member of the Coventry & Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, providing local networking, referral and visibility opportunities in the Warwickshire market where the firm has its Coventry and Leamington Spa offices.
• Greater Birmingham Chambers of CommerceminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHB&O is a member of the Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce, supporting local networking, referrals and visibility for the firm's Birmingham office at 31 Temple Street.
• National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) - Cyber EssentialsoperationalOthersHB&O holds Cyber Essentials certification from the NCSC, demonstrating baseline cyber security controls. This is a security/compliance accreditation rather than a commercial partnership.
• Google (Google Analytics)operationalTechnology or IntegrationHB&O uses Google Analytics on its website to analyse trends, administer the site, track user movement, and gather aggregate demographic information, as disclosed in its cookie privacy policy.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Others

• Xero: Cloud accounting platform whose UK partner programme underpins HB&O's MTD-ready delivery. Important ecosystem participant — both an enablement channel for HB&O and a competitive threat to traditional compliance fee income.
• DFK International: Global association of independent accounting firms in which HB&O holds membership and from which HB&O won Firm of the Year 2023. Strategic channel partner for international expansion and benchmarking peer for independent firms.

Broad incumbents

• Mazars UK: International top-tier accountancy firm with UK offices delivering audit, tax, advisory and consulting to mid-market and larger corporates. Comparable in service breadth but competes from a materially larger resource base.
• RSM UK: Top 6 UK chartered accountancy firm with national coverage spanning audit, tax, consulting and advisory for mid-market businesses. Comparable in service breadth and mid-market focus, but materially larger and broader than HB&O.

Direct peers

• Crowe UK: National UK chartered accountancy firm (member of Crowe Global) delivering audit, tax, advisory and risk consulting to mid-market and growing businesses. Comparable in mid-market positioning and full-service delivery, though materially larger.
• Moore Kingston Smith: London-based chartered accountancy firm serving owner-managed businesses, not-for-profits and private clients with audit, tax and advisory services. Comparable in SMB focus and chartered accountancy service mix.
• MHA MacIntyre Hudson: UK Top 20 chartered accountancy group combining audit, tax, advisory and payroll for owner-managed and mid-market businesses via a regional office network. Closely comparable in full-service model, SMB focus, and reliance on professional services fees.
• Kreston Reeves: Mid-tier UK chartered accountancy firm providing audit, tax, payroll and wealth advisory to SMBs and private clients across the South East. Comparable in service breadth, SMB client base, and mid-tier positioning.
• Bishop Fleming: UK Top 30 chartered accountancy firm offering audit, tax, advisory and outsourced finance to SMBs and mid-market clients, with multiple regional offices. Highly comparable to HB&O in service mix, target customer, and regional multi-office model.
• PKF Francis Clark: Regional UK chartered accountancy firm offering audit, tax, advisory and outsourced finance to owner-managed businesses and private clients. Comparable in service mix, target customer, and regional growth strategy.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/HBOltd
• Facebookfacebook.com/hboltd
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/735866
• Instagraminstagram.com/hboltd

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Harrison Beale & Owen Limited