Chartered Accountants Yorkshire | Tax, Audit, Payroll & Advisory | Walter Dawson & Son

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Chartered Accountants in Yorkshire

Full-service financial advice for established Yorkshire businesses — from everyday accounts and tax to audit, funding, payroll, succession and wealth management.

Some businesses have outgrown their current accountant. Others find that the larger firms aren’t interested unless the numbers are very large. Walter Dawson & Son has spent over 140 years working in exactly that space — providing the depth of a full-service firm with the responsiveness and local knowledge that Yorkshire businesses actually need.

We work with owner-managed and family businesses across Yorkshire, typically turning over £500k to £5m+, across sectors including manufacturing, professional services, agriculture and retail. Whether you need dependable compliance work, proactive tax planning, or advice at a pivotal moment in your business, our team is here.

What we do Talk to us

Accountancy

From day-to-day bookkeeping to year-end accounts and financial planning, our accountancy services are designed to keep your business on track.

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Audit

Our audits do more than tick boxes. They provide valuable insights that help your business grow while ensuring compliance and transparency.

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Cloud Accounting

Work smarter, not harder. With cloud accounting, you can access your financial data anytime, anywhere. We’ll help you embrace tools that simplify your processes and make collaboration effortless.

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Corporate Finance

Looking to expand, sell, or raise capital? Our corporate finance experts are here to guide you through every stage, helping you unlock opportunities and achieve your ambitions.

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Funding Solutions

Whether you’re launching a new venture, investing in growth, or navigating cash flow challenges, we’ll help you secure the funding you need. From loans to grants, our team is here to find the right solution for your business.

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Payroll

Managing payroll can be time-consuming and complex. We take care of everything — from calculations to compliance — ensuring your team is paid on time, every time, while freeing you to focus on other priorities.

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Probate

Walter Dawson & Son is licensed by the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales to carry out non-contentious probate in England and Wales

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Tax

Tax doesn’t have to be a headache. Our team helps you navigate the complexities of tax compliance, planning, and strategy, ensuring you keep more of what you earn while staying on the right side of HMRC.

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Wealth Management

Planning for the future? Our independent wealth management services will help you protect and grow your assets, creating a secure financial future for you and your loved ones.

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Who We Work With

Our clients are typically established, owner-managed businesses that have grown beyond what a small local accountant can comfortably support — but who want a responsive, personal relationship rather than being passed between departments at a large firm.

Most are turning over between £500k and £5m, employing between 5 and 50 people, and navigating the increasing financial complexity that comes with that stage of growth: payroll becoming time-consuming, tax liabilities rising, cash flow harder to predict, and decisions around investment, structure or ownership on the horizon.

We also have long-standing expertise working with farming and agricultural businesses across Yorkshire and North Yorkshire — a client base we’ve supported for generations, through changes in farm subsidies, succession planning, land transactions and the evolving tax landscape.

And for businesses at key transition points — approaching a sale, a management buyout, a restructure or a generational handover — we provide the joined-up accountancy, tax and financial planning advice needed to navigate those moments well.

Why Businesses Choose WDS

We sit in a deliberate position in the market. We’re not the cheapest option, and we’re not the right fit for a FTSE-listed company. We work with businesses where the numbers matter, where the owners are close to the decisions, and where having an accountant who actually knows your business makes a real difference.

A full service under one roof

From day-to-day compliance to succession planning, our clients don’t need to go elsewhere for financial advice. Accountancy, tax, audit, payroll, funding, wealth management — it all connects, because we make it connect.

Over 140 years serving Yorkshire

Founded in 1886, WDS has been advising Yorkshire businesses and families through every kind of economic environment. Many of our client relationships span decades — and in some cases, generations.

Six offices across the region

With offices in Bradford, Elland, Huddersfield, Leyburn, Northallerton and York, we provide face-to-face support to businesses across West Yorkshire, North Yorkshire and the surrounding area.

Specialist Accountants for Farming and Agricultural Businesses

WDS has supported farming and rural enterprises across Yorkshire for generations. We understand the financial realities of modern agriculture — including variable income, changing subsidy structures, capital investment planning, land transactions and the long-term planning required for farm succession and estate management.

Our agricultural clients range from family farms navigating the transition from BPS to the Sustainable Farming Incentive, to larger rural estates requiring advice on Inheritance Tax, Agricultural Property Relief and generational transfer.

If you’re looking for an accountant who understands farming — and who has the depth to handle the wider tax and financial planning that comes with it — we’d welcome a conversation.

Supporting Businesses at Every Stage

Growth

Managing payroll, tax and compliance as headcount and turnover increase. Getting financial processes to keep pace with the business.

Expansion

Raising funding, acquiring businesses, opening new locations. Advisory and transaction support to help you grow on solid foundations.

Transition

Restructuring ownership, bringing in management, separating business interests. Getting the tax and legal structure right before change happens.

Exit & Succession

Planning for business sale, MBO, or passing the business on. Maximising value and minimising tax while protecting what you’ve built.

Dawsons have been my accountants for 40 years . Can’t recommend them highly enough. Always respond when you need advice.

Mark Barber

I have dealt with this Accountancy Practice now since 1983, and have always found them to be efficient and assuring in my dealings with them. I am currently looked after by Matthew Atkinson who is efficient and helpful in all matters.

Ian B

Working with Tracy Jamal at Walter Dawson is an absolute pleasure. She is completely honest and thorough. And I am so much more confident that my affairs are being handled well because of her.

Alice Nutter

Walter Dawson have been handling my accounts for the last 5 years and I have always been very impressed with their professionalism, commitment, and attention to detail. I have always felt comfortable and very supported with any query I have had. Dealt with Mark, Matthew and Richard and wouldn’t go anywhere else.

Helen Cooper

Debra and the team at Walter Dawson and Son have been great tax partners. We have a complicated situation with taxes where we are working across time zones. They do an outstanding job and are always courteous, prompt and knowledgeable.

Hilary Hainsworth Smith

I am a barrister in practice on the North-Eastern circuit.
I rely heavily upon my accountants.
This firm is fantastic!
In particular, Tracy Jamal (Tax Manager) is quite superb.
Nothing is too much trouble for her.
She always promptly deals with all matters I put to her.
I could not recommend this firm more strongly.

Steven Garth

I have been using Walter Dawson and Sons accountants for the past 30+ years and would not consider using anyone else. Fantastic service and always a friendly face to help you with any queries. I can’t recommend them enough.

Dean Cadman

Very good indeed. Personable, accessible and professional. Highly recommended.

Mike Harding

I’ve been a client for many years I’ve always received first class service . The staff are friendly and nothing is too much trouble. Thanks very much for your past services and also the future

Noel Manning

After 40 years of running a business, I’ve used many accountancy companies. Without exception, I can recommend the Huddersfield office of Walter Dawson and Son for their efficiency, professionalism and friendliness. For the business I use them for all Sage accounting, payroll, tax advice and VAT. I also use them for all personal financial and tax advice for myself and my husband.

Neil Hemingway

Excellent and patient service while I had to chase some information up, great work

Rachel Younger

Walter Dawson has always dealt very efficiently with all my tax affairs and accounting needs, I highly recommend them for their attention to detail. The staff are friendly and polite and very knowledgeable.

Sarah Davis

Walter Dawson and Son have looked after my account for the last 20 years and have always worked within my best interest.

Stuart Whitehead

We care

We want you to succeed

We’re easy to deal with

We’re accessible and reliable

We’re experienced

We leave out the jargon

About

At WDS, we are committed to being trusted advisors for businesses. Since our founding in 1886, we have stayed true to our mission: providing straightforward, reliable advice that helps our clients succeed.

Services

Whether you’re a business owner looking to simplify your financial processes or an individual needing clarity and peace of mind, we’re here to support you.

News

At WDS, we don’t just offer financial services; we build strong and meaningful connections with our clients. Our passion goes beyond the numbers, we ensure our clients have a fulfilling and positive experience with us.

Contact

Our friendly team are on hand to discuss in detail your business and accountancy needs. To find out how we could help you or your business, why not arrange a free initial consultation with a member of our team?

Chartered Accountants Yorkshire | Tax, Audit, Payroll & Advisory | Walter Dawson & Son

Home

Chartered Accountants in Yorkshire

Accountancy

Audit

Cloud Accounting

Corporate Finance

Funding Solutions

Payroll

Probate

Tax

Wealth Management

Supporting Businesses at Every Stage

Growth

Expansion

Transition

Exit & Succession

We care

We want you to succeed

We’re easy to deal with

We’re accessible and reliable

We’re experienced

We leave out the jargon

About

Services

News

Contact

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