Since its foundation in 2002, the professionals at Christian Douglass have provided outstanding partner-led accounting and advisory services. Combining a wealth of experience and enthusiasm with progressive thinking, a strong, committed team enables growth throughout all business sectors.
Navigate challenges, plan for future opportunities; add value through insightful guidance, personalized advice, and constructive lasting partnerships that lead to continued success.
The practice was formed in 2002 in order to establish a firm that would offer a range of services to private companies which could rarely be found in smaller firms. The aim was to provide first class service and advice delivered in a very personal manner.
We wanted our clients to receive what we ourselves wanted from a professional firm including the best advice with a partner-led service provided in a timely manner by those who were passionate about what they did and those who were passionate about helping their clients in obtaining a level of service which is second to none. This was to be provided in a cost effective way, by maintaining a small team of dedicated partners and staff all sharing the same ethos.
We set up the firm in Manchester’s city-centre in order to be well placed geographically to serve our clients who were predominantly based in the North West of England. Our original offices were at number 4 Jordan Street, in the Knott Mill area of the city, situated between the southern end of Deansgate and Medlock Street (since renamed First Street), being the two main arterial routes into the city from the south. Since establishing the firm the Manchester office has moved once (next door) to number 2 Jordan Street.
Since 2002, the firm has continued to grow and all of our growth has been almost entirely due to word of mouth recommendations from our clients. And what better recommendation could a firm have? This has ensured that we have a loyal and stable client base that we are proud to serve and passionate to support.
In 2018, following a successful management buyout, the firm was acquired by Richard Massey, Debbie Burton and Paul Caygill who had been managing the day-to-day compliance operations of the practice since early 2011.
Richard Massey trained as a Chartered Accountant in Bolton at another well-respected independent practice. On qualifying as a Chartered Accountant he became a partner within the firm and specialised in auditing and tax advisory services to owner-managed businesses.
Debbie Burton trained as a Chartered Accountant at a medium-sized accountancy practice in Chorley specialising in auditing. She became audit partner at another independent practice and gained vast experience in auditing clients of all types and sizes in the owner managed business sector.
Paul Caygill, was born in Cumbria but after obtaining a degree in Accounting and Finance at the Manchester Business School he moved to London and trained as a Chartered Accountant with a practice based in the West End specialising in auditing and financial and management reporting.
Christian Douglass has grown organically to a firm which has offices in Manchester and Penrith.
We have an array of clients of which any professional firm would be proud to represent. We specialise in no particular area of industry: our clients cover a multitude of sectors. What we do specialise in is in continuing to offer a partner-led service providing first class advice with first class levels of service in a cost-efficient manner.
We have a young and enthusiastic team of professionals who put our clients’ needs first, and who will be there for you every step of the way. Our team care about the work that they undertake and about the clients that they work with. They are approachable, understanding and keen to help and, as a firm, we are so much stronger due to their diligence and desire to get the best outcomes for our clients.
Christian Douglass is about desire, expertise and attitude allied to an appreciation of our turbulent corporate environment. We must enhance the strategy and structure of all our clients to ensure that we complement the demands and expectations of our committed and dedicated clientele.
We look to help in the aspirational aims that have a different focus in these unprecedented times. Our job is to add value to the management process.
Business today faces major challenges. For the few it is a world of opportunity. With the advice of the Christian Douglass team, we believe that such challenges managed effectively and on a shared basis offer opportunities for growth and development.
Now is the time to think outside whatever still survives of the box. In addition, proactivity and forward thinking must be watchwords as we face new and daunting financial and economic challenges.
Our approach is unique. We try to make molehills out of mountains. We always look for ways for clients to develop their business. We see partnership as being the most cost effective way to help. We see our role as a protective one. Our major concern is to help you today and tomorrow, and for the future.
As well as jointly managing the firms’ Manchester portfolio with Debbie, Richard heads the Corporate and Tax Advisory arm of the practice.
With significant experience in tax planning and restructures, company sales and acquisitions from a taxation and due diligence perspective as well as business planning and valuations, Richard advises the firms’ client base with a view to helping them achieve their business goals.
Outside of work, Richard is a keen tennis player and is involved in the running of a local sports club in a voluntary capacity. He also loves spending time with his family and catching up with friends.
Debbie jointly manages the firms’ Manchester portfolio with Richard, but her specialism and passion is audit and it is this arm of the practice that Debbie heads up.
With vast experience in all aspects of auditing and financial reporting, Debbie acts as Audit Partner and Responsible Individual for all of the firms’ audit clients and works closely with them to ensure that the audit process is delivered efficiently and collaboratively, ensuring that any feedback the firm provides can assist businesses with future business operations.
When she is not working, Debbie loves to travel and experience new cultures as well as spending time with her family and friends.
Paul heads up our Cumbrian operation from our offices based at the Edenhall Estate, just outside of Penrith.
Having trained and worked in practice in London’s West End, Paul has a wide range of experience as a general practice accountant advising clients on all aspects of their business including audit, financial and management reporting and business and personal taxation.
Paul specialises in assisting clients with business planning and forecasting and has vast experience in working with clients and potential lenders in order to secure suitable funding where required.
Outside of work Paul enjoys fishing, other country pursuits and watching his two children play an array of sports.