West Malling – where history meets hi-tech accountancy

West Malling is a picturesque town in the heart of Kent with a fascinating history and impressive list of former residents and celebrity connections. Perrys Accountants opened a branch in the town more than 25 years ago, and we’ve been proud to serve an ever-growing client base from our busy Swan Street office since that time.

The last quarter of a century has seen a transformation in technology that has affected accountancy as much as any other profession. Back in 1993, the internet was in its infancy: an accountant’s tools were pens, paper, calculators and ledgers (with perhaps a clunky computer thrown in). Today, Perrys staff use the latest cloud-based technology and accounting software to ensure we stay at the cutting edge of the digital revolution.

In fact, Perrys’ West Malling branch is heading up our expertise in the area of Making Tax Digital (MTD) – the government’s drive to ensure all businesses keep digital records and submit tax returns online.

Perrys Partner Victoria Pearson, who runs the West Malling office alongside Mark Day, is our designated MTD expert. Victoria works diligently to ensure colleagues are highly trained in the complexities of MTD, so that every client can be confident of full compliance with the new rules as they come into force from April 2019.

As you’d expect from any of Perrys’ seven branches across Kent and central London, we offer the full range of accountancy services including tax planning, corporate finance and company secretarial. Our loyal and long-standing client base includes many small to medium-sized businesses in a hugely diverse range of sectors and industries.

Working closely with Victoria and Mark in the office are Sam Corse, Michelle Downs, Darren Edwards, Ciaran Smyth, Kerys Butler, Catherine Edwards and Sally Bone. You can find out more about each team member, including how they enjoy spending their spare time (practising anything from Muay Thai boxing to Middle Eastern cooking!) on our meet the team page.

Our top four facts about West Malling

We mentioned earlier that West Malling has an interesting history and a number of surprising connections. Here are four fascinating facts about the town’s most famous residents and visitors:

• Several scenes from the Beatles’ 1967 film Magical Mystery Tour were filmed in and around West Malling. John Lennon and Ringo Starr can be seen buying tickets at a newsagent on the High Street. The shop is now a kebab house, and proudly boasts a blue plaque to mark the building’s moment of fame.
• The celebrated portrait painter John Downman moved to West Malling in the early 1800s. Downman painted many aristocrats and leaders of the period including Queen Charlotte, Horatio Nelson and Frederick the Great of Prussia.
• Lady Caroline Emily Nevill (1829-1887), whose family lived at Malling House, was an early English photographer who pioneered the use of waxed-paper negatives.
• Wing Commander Guy Gibson VC, leader of The Dambusters, was stationed at RAF West Malling. His signature can still be seen on the ceiling of the cellar at Douce’s Manor in St Leonard’s Street (the cellar was used as a bar by airmen during the Second World War).

Need an accountant in West Malling or the surrounding areas of Kent?

Whether you’re starting a new business or need fresh input for your established company, why not contact us for an initial, no-obligation meeting? Our in-house experts go above and beyond to offer an exceptional service that includes a free annual business review in addition to a very competitive fee structure. And if you visit our office, don’t forget to factor in some time for your very own magical mystery tour of the town!