WNJ Past & Present
Our story as trusted Advisors supporting UK business for over 55 years
Our Practice
Our story starts when the practice was founded by William Wallwork, Douglas Nelson and Michael Johnson in 1960 from the merger of a number of smaller regional practices whose origins went back over 100 years.
Having initially started in practice at Theatre Street in Preston City Centre, our main office was relocated to Derby House in Fulwood in 1988 and then to Chandler House on Preston’s Riversway in 2003.
Core values
Whilst our firm has grown significantly since its inception, WNJ’s core values have remained unchanged. We are not ‘just accountants’ to our Clients, reporting tax owed and ensuring compliance annually. We actively look to maximise our Clients’ financial and business affairs.
We are proud of our long standing relationships with our Clients, some of whom we have represented since our practice was founded at the start of our story.
WNJ now employs over 40 staff covering all aspects of accountancy, audit, taxation, payroll and other business advisory services.
Client Profile
As a general practice firm, our story centres round the Client. Clients range from multi million pound turnover public limited companies and substantial family controlled businesses to charities, professional practices, partnerships, sole traders and high net worth individuals.
WNJ serves many UK business sectors including manufacturing, distribution, agribusiness, creative industries, technical services, leisure and tourism and professional services.
National Coverage
Geographically, our Client base is predominantly centred throughout Lancashire and the North West of England.
National Clients in North East England, Cumbria, the Midlands, Southern Counties, London, Wales and Scotland are also supported. Additionally, we have overseas Clients based in Isle of Man, Jersey and mainland Europe.
WNJ Management
Meet our senior management team
Ian Johnson – BA Hons, FCCA
Partner
I adopt a proactive approach working with owner managers to assist them achieve their business plans and medium to long term objectives.
By close involvement with my Clients I play a strategic planning role and act as a key advisor in corporate assignments involving acquisitions, disposals, mergers and restructuring of businesses.
Specialisms
- Business development
- Corporate finance and restructuring
- Acquisitions, disposals, mergers
- Retirement planning
- Preparing businesses for sale
- Strategic and Succession planning
Paul Woodburn – BCom Hons, FCA
Partner
I enjoy the involvement with a wide variety of organisations and individuals to better understand their goals and objectives.
My advice brings accountancy and commercial awareness together.
Specialisms
- Advising a wide range of Clients from start-up businesses to large privately owned companies
- Responsible for specialised audit and assurance engagements, including not-for-profit organisations, charities including Academies, pension schemes and solicitors
- Corporate and business finance including acquisitions and disposals
- Strategic business advice, including tax planning
Michael Barker – BA Hons, FCCA
Partner
I manage the affairs of a portfolio of Clients in a wide range of industries.
I always keep abreast of the latest technical information and legislative changes.
Clients receive advice based on commercial awareness not simply historical reporting. Advice is tailored to a particular client’s needs rather than a “one-size fits all” approach.
Specialisms
- Assisting and development of businesses from start-ups to larger privately owned companies.
- Providing strategic business advice.
- Ensuring bespoke corporate and personal tax advice is delivered.
- Holding Responsible Individual status for audit and assurance for large range of clients.
Matthew Johnson – BA Hons, FCA
Partner
I enjoy working closely with owner managers in order to identify opportunities for them from both a taxation and commercial perspective.
My approach ensures clients are provided with proactive strategic advice in order to achieve their business objectives, as well as maximising their personal wealth.
Specialisms
- Business development
- Strategic growth planning
- Corporate and business finance advisory, including acquisitions and disposals
- Combined business advisory and corporate/personal tax advice
- Audit and accounts specialisms, including Client Assets Sourcebook (‘CASS’) assurance.
Stuart Iddon – FCCA
Associate Partner
I work closely alongside clients in a wide range of industries providing support and assistance in order to meet their financial reporting requirements including statutory accounts, audit and internal management information.
I now play a key role in advising in corporate finance transactions and strategic business planning involving mergers, acquisitions, disposals and restructuring.
Specialisms
- Financial reporting support and assistance
- Corporate finance advisory
- Strategic business planning
Stuart Mercer – BA(Hons) ACA
Associate Partner
My ethos is to combine the fundamental expertise you would expect from a Chartered Accountant with a passion for technology and the solutions it can offer. I adopt a bespoke approach to meet each client’s needs.
My work spans across a variety of specialisms covering statutory accounts, audit and the provision of real-time management information, utilising the most effective software tools at our disposal to provide the best client experience.
Specialisms
- Statutory audit & accounts
- Financial reporting support and assistance
- Provision of real-time management information
- Internal accounting systems & software
Steve Towler
Senior Tax Consultant
I joined WNJ after carrying out various tax compliance and advisory roles at local and regional North West practices.
My work includes advising privately owned limited companies and their directors on many different taxation issues. I support and guide clients in a wide variety of tax matters including inheritance tax, capital gains tax and employee share schemes.
Specialisms
- Tax consultancy and compliance
- Income tax
- Inheritance tax
- Corporate reconstructions
- HM Revenue and Custom enquiries and Investigations
Kim Holt MAAT
Head of cloud bookkeeping
I pride myself and my team on offering a warm, approachable service where no question is too small and no concern goes unheard. You deserve a business relationship built on trust, clarity, and genuine care.
I work closely with clients to ensure they feel supported, and their VAT and bookkeeping records are accurate, compliant and accessible in real time. My responsibilities include overseeing software integrations, streamlining bookkeeping processes, and guiding our team in delivering efficient, technology-driven solutions.
Specialisms
- Making Tax Digital for Income Tax Self-Assessment (MTD ITSA)
- Making Tax Digital for VAT (MTD VAT)
- Analysing and implementing improved bookkeeping systems
- Advising on the most suitable Cloud Accounting software
- Cloud Accounting Software training
- Migration to Cloud Accounting Software
