Business Details
33 Years
experience
Your Trusted Chartered Accountants
Blackwell Bate Chartered Accountants was founded in 1993 by Alex Blackwell, starting with a small client base and evolving into a firm serving diverse businesses across two offices. Our team of over 20 professionals delivers tailored accountancy, tax, and business advisory services to sole traders, partnerships, freelancers, and limited companies. We prioritise transparency, offering fixed-price quotes after free initial consultations to ensure no surprises for clients. With expertise in compliance, tax minimisation, and business growth strategies, we combine technical proficiency with personal service. Our in-house software ABACUS provides real-time financial insights for freelancers, while our audit and advisory services support corporate clients and not-for-profit organisations.We became a registered auditor in 2021, enhancing our capacity to serve medium-sized companies and charities. Our 30-year anniversary in 2023 underscored our commitment to excellence, with recent leadership promotions strengthening our management team. Clients benefit from direct access to directors and senior staff, ensuring continuity and expertise in addressing complex financial challenges. We operate regionally in West Devon and East Cornwall but serve clients nationwide, maintaining a focus on building lasting relationships through reliable, forward-thinking advice.
Services
Audit Services
Tax Planning
Payroll Management
CIS Compliance
Financial Advisory
Property Tax Advice
Not-for-Profit Support
VAT Returns
Business Growth Strategy
Wealth Maximisation
Details
- Year established: 1993
Highlights and features
- We offer 30+ years of experience in tailored accountancy solutions
- Our fixed-price quotes ensure complete cost transparency
- In-house ABACUS software provides real-time financial tracking for freelancers
- Direct access to directors and senior team members guaranteed
- Specialist tax minimisation strategies for property investors and businesses
Associations and certifications
- Chartered Accountants
- Registered Auditor
Services
Freelancer Accounting
Our tailored freelancer package includes bookkeeping, VAT returns, payroll, and tax planning. We use ABACUS software to provide real-time financial updates and unlimited telephone support. Clients receive fixed-fee pricing with no hidden costs, ensuring complete financial clarity.
Property Tax Advice
Specialist tax planning for property investors covers mortgage interest relief changes, company structuring, and ATED compliance. We support buy-to-let landlords with 5+ properties and HMO operators through strategic tax minimisation strategies and acquisition guidance.
Audit Services
We conduct statutory audits for companies and charities, independent examinations for not-for-profits, and grant compliance audits. Our process includes pre-audit planning, detailed financial reviews, and actionable recommendations to improve financial governance and regulatory compliance.
Payroll Management
Full payroll outsourcing includes HMRC registration, payslip production, pension auto-enrolment, and real-time information submissions. We handle weekly to monthly payroll cycles for businesses of all sizes, integrating with Modulr for streamlined payment processing.
CIS Compliance
We manage Construction Industry Scheme requirements including contractor registration, subcontractor verification, and monthly CIS300 returns. Our service ensures correct tax deductions and provides deduction certificates to subcontractors while maintaining full HMRC compliance.
People
Alex Blackwell
Managing Director
Founder of Blackwell Bate in 1993, Alex has over 30 years of accountancy experience. He leads strategic direction while maintaining hands-on client relationships, particularly in corporate tax and business growth planning.
Graham Roberts
Director
Joined in 2018, Graham brings extensive corporate practice expertise. He specialises in audit services and oversees not-for-profit client support, leveraging his experience as former trustee of a 2m charity with 100 employees.
Jack Libby
Manager
Promoted to management in 2023, Jack demonstrates exceptional client service skills. He focuses on business growth strategy and tax planning, providing tailored solutions to SME clients across Devon and Cornwall.
James Owen
Manager
Elevated to management in 2023, James specialises in property tax advisory and compliance services. He supports clients with portfolio structuring and tax-efficient investment strategies, particularly in the HMO sector.
Amy Wise
Manager
Senior manager with responsibility for audit quality control and client relations. Amy oversees statutory audits for corporate clients and charities, ensuring compliance with accounting standards and regulatory requirements.
Questions
What accounting services do you offer for freelancers?
We provide comprehensive freelancer support including bookkeeping, VAT returns, payroll, dividend management, and tax planning using our ABACUS software for real-time financial tracking.
How do you support property investors with tax changes?
Our specialists advise on mortgage interest relief changes, company structuring, ATED compliance, and capital gains tax planning for buy-to-let landlords with 5+ properties.
What audit services do you provide?
We offer statutory audits for companies and charities, independent examinations for not-for-profits, grant compliance audits, and SRA accounts rules assurance services.
How do you handle CIS compliance for construction businesses?
We manage full CIS compliance including contractor registration, subcontractor verification, monthly returns, and deduction certificate production while ensuring HMRC compliance.
What payment options are available?
We operate fixed-fee pricing with no hidden costs. Payment terms are agreed during initial consultation, with specific options discussed based on service requirements.
Do you offer financial advisory services?
Yes, our in-house Independent Financial Adviser provides pensions, investment, mortgage, and insurance advice as part of our holistic client service approach.
