Agile advice for bright businesses
At Cottons Chartered Accountants, we serve a diverse range of clients including SMEs, startups and private individuals from our offices located in Northampton, Daventry, Rugby, Milton Keynes, Lutterworth and London. Since our inception in 1983, we have remained committed to offering a personal, jargon-free service that places clarity and client engagement at the forefront. Our suite of services encompasses tax planning, auditing and comprehensive business advisory support tailored to meet each clients unique requirements.
As members of the ICAEW, we uphold the highest benchmarks of ethical conduct, confidentiality and regulatory compliance. Our approach is both proactive and grounded in extensive industry experience, ensuring we are well-positioned to guide our clients through all stages of business development. We are humbled to have been recognised in both the Xero Awards and the Accounting Excellence Awards for two consecutive years. Our consistently positive Google reviews further affirm our dedication to providing trusted, high-quality services that deliver measurable results and long-term value.
Business details
- Year established: 1983
- Employees: 100
- Licensed
- Insured
Highlights and features
- Clear, actionable business insight beyond the numbers
- Complete accounting and tax solutions under one roof
- Expert business advice tailored to your growth
- Efficient, thorough audits with a practical approach
- Dedicated support for mergers and acquisitions
- Flexible, real-time management and payroll services
Associations and certifications
- ICAEW
Payment methods
- Cash, Checks, Debit cards, Credit cards, Mobile payments, Bank transfers
Services
Cottons began in 1983 as a modest accountancy practice and has since evolved into a Top 100 firm. Our continued growth, both organic and acquisition-driven, reflects our dedication to delivering expert financial guidance. With five offices and a highly skilled team, we provide dependable and proactive services across all aspects of accountancy and business advisory. 
We offer a comprehensive accounts outsourcing solution designed to streamline your financial processes. Our professionals handle everything from bookkeeping to complex costing and reconciliations, ensuring reliability and precision. With our help, youll gain clear financial insights delivered in a format suited to your requirements. Trust us to manage your accounting responsibilities with excellence. 
We understand that audits can appear daunting, which is why our approach is grounded in careful planning and minimal disruption. We work alongside you to fully understand your business, ensuring our findings offer valuable insights. Our audits support legal compliance, promote internal transparency, and bolster stakeholder confidence. This is more than a formalityit's a strategic tool. 
Our dedicated tax professionals assist with all aspects of tax, from business start-ups to overseas trading and property transactions. We focus on risk reduction and compliance, ensuring that you neither overpay nor overlook your tax responsibilities. Our proactive approach offers peace of mind through expert advice and efficient handling of all tax matters. 
Our Business Advisory team offers expert support to help you navigate growth challenges with confidence. Through detailed evaluation of your financial data and competitive environment, we tailor recommendations specifically for your enterprise. We pride ourselves on offering clear, honest guidance that helps you sharpen your competitive advantage. 
At Cottons, our Corporate Finance specialists provide comprehensive support across all phases of your business journey. Whether launching new ideas, exploring ownership options, mergers, or exit strategies, we deliver expert guidance. We prioritise timely, targeted advice and invite you to a free, no-obligation consultation to explore how we can assist your ambitions.
People
Adam Schofield
Corporate Finance Manager
Adam joined Cottons at the beginning of 2021 as Corporate Finance Executive after becoming a qualified accountant at his previous firm in 2019. After graduating from the University of the West of England in Bristol with a degree in Economics, Adam started his career as an Auditor before making the move into Corporate Finance. Having gained experience with owner-managed businesses while in the audit sector, Adam then wanted to continue working with SMEs, but on more interesting and exciting projects.
Now as the Corporate Finance Assistant Manager, his role at Cottons involved supporting Guy in all areas of the Corporate Finance Department as well as managing his own engagements. One of Adams favourite parts of the job is meeting clients and finding out about their businesses and ambitions for the future.
Now as the Corporate Finance Assistant Manager, his role at Cottons involved supporting Guy in all areas of the Corporate Finance Department as well as managing his own engagements. One of Adams favourite parts of the job is meeting clients and finding out about their businesses and ambitions for the future.
Emma Reid
Partner
Emma joined Cottons as a trainee in 2004 following the completion of an Accounting with Law degree at the University of East Anglia. Four years later she qualified as a Chartered Accountant whilst building experience working in general practice in our Daventry office. Since 2011 Emma has been based from our Rugby office working closely with owner-managed SMEs in a wide range of sectors to fulfil their accounting and taxation requirements, she made partner in 2018. Outside of work Emma enjoys spending time with her young family and cocker spaniel, Poppy.
Mark Palmer
Partner
Mark is a Partner in our Rugby office. He specialises in general tax planning advising both owner managed businesses and private individuals. Mark said:
My job is varied, I like to develop a relationship with my clients and find that I am often the first port of call on matters that have little to do with accountancy.
My job is varied, I like to develop a relationship with my clients and find that I am often the first port of call on matters that have little to do with accountancy.
Curtis Watson
Client Manager
Curtis joined Cottons in October 2023 and has been assisting with the transition of our recent acquisition of Astute Services Ltd. Curtis looks after a large portfolio of clients which continues to grow. He particularly enjoys meetings clients to talk through their accounts and tax returns and likes helping them to understand their financial position. Curtis also assists clients to plan for future growth and business sustainability.
A qualified chartered accountant, with the ACCA professional accreditation, Curtis works with a wide range of businesses, from sole traders through to larger businesses across a range of sectors.
A qualified chartered accountant, with the ACCA professional accreditation, Curtis works with a wide range of businesses, from sole traders through to larger businesses across a range of sectors.
Luke Prout
Tax Partner
Luke joined Cottons in June 2024 as a Tax Partner and has over 20 years experience in providing tax compliance and advisory services to all sizes of business, their owners, within the UK and also internationally. Prior to joining Cottons, Luke spent 6 years as a Partner of a Top 40 accounting practice and before then spent 13 years at a Top 15 practice. Lukes expertise spans a wide array of tax areas, including Company Tax, Income Tax, Stamp Duty Land Tax, VAT, Inheritance Tax, and Employment Taxes.
Reviews (6)
Cleaver Electrical Services Services Ltd
Feb 25, 2025
Andrew McGavin
Nov 08, 2024
Cottons Group accountants took over the business of the small local accountant we used some twenty - probably 25+ years ago. Our company has been with Cottons ever since. Effectively Cottons Team has provided our company with virtually flawless service in payroll and accounts for more than twenty years, during which time they have seamlessly grown from strength to strength without impacting current clients, indeed improving service. You could not ask for a more willing friendly pro-active accountancy team to work with. Long may they prosper.
Anita Twigger
Sep 17, 2024
Mandy Daniels
Jun 08, 2024
Alison Lutener
Apr 06, 2024
Zac Burnell
Oct 25, 2023