Chartered Accountants and Tax Consultants in Rochester and the Medway Towns

The roots of the practice go back to 1992 when Mark Friend, a chartered accountant since 1989, set up in practice as M A Friend, Chartered Accountants. Through his belief in providing a quality and personal service the firm grew rapidly. In 2002 the firm reached a level where new premises were required and the firm moved to its current location at Bryant House, a beautiful 17th century grade 11 listed building , in Strood near historic Rochester. The practice continued to grow by focusing on local family run SME businesses and a service based on close and regular contact with our clients and a high quality broad range of services. We are not just accountants and tax advisers we act in partnership with our clients to help them grow their businesses. In 2003 Andrew Grant joined the practice as an accounts manager. Both Mark and Andrew believe strongly in the need to be more than just accountants to their clients and in 2005 Mark Friend and Andrew Grant formed Friend & Grant Limited. Both Mark and Andrew are backed by a dedicated team of staff willing to travel and serve clients’ requests at a moment’s notice.

Profiles

Mark Friend is the managing director of Friend & Grant Limited and is involved in all matters related to clients’ affairs from audits, business development, corporate finance and tax planning. His portfolio of clients consists largely of small to medium size family run businesses. He works closely with his clients to provide a broad range of advice from tax minimisation, business and strategic planning, raising finance, mergers and acquisitions to audits. He deals in a number of specialist industry areas with particular strengths in property development and investment. He is also involved with charity audits. 

Mark is an Associate of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales. He was born in 1963 in Chatham. He has a degree in Civil Engineering and trained and qualified with a large firm of Chartered Accountants before setting up his own practice in 1992. In 2005 he formed Friend & Grant Limited. Mark and his wife Jan live in Rochester with their children William and Anna. Mark is an enthusiastic (not very good!) squash and golf player and enjoys cooking and reading historical fictional novels.

 Linked in profile here.

Andrew Grant is an Associate of the Institute of Chartered Accountants for England and Wales. Andrew qualified in 2002 having trained with a large Kent based practice. Andrew joined the firm in 2003 and was appointed co-director with Mark in 2005. Andrew benefits from a wide range of experience with small and medium size businesses and works closely with his ever-growing client bank in order to assist them in achieving their objectives and maximizing their potential. He particularly enjoys dealing with clients to help find solutions that are bespoke to their individual requirements. 

Since the Medway Towns have remained home for over 30 years, Andrew has many local interests. He is a keen sportsman and fan, regularly enjoying golf and table tennis and if he ever is granted control over the remote will watch any sport that is on.  Andrew is also heavily involved with local not-for-profit organisations and the Round Table and balances his time between developing the business and the local community.  Andrew is married to Melanie and lives in Rainham.

 Linked in profile here.

Jan Friend is head of the company’s tax department and is involved in all matters related to clients’ tax affairs including business and personal tax planning. Jan deals with a large portfolio of high net worth individuals advising on all areas including inheritance tax planning and trusts as well as non-resident individuals. 

Jan is a member of the Institute of Chartered Tax Advisers. She was born in Rochester. She qualified as a Chartered Tax Adviser in 1986 and shortly afterwards became one of the youngest managers at a large firm of Chartered Accountants. She joined M A Friend in 1993. Jan is married to Mark Friend and has two children. Jan enjoys reading, films, playing the piano and dog walking. 

Lisa Baker is head of the company's accounts department dealing with the preparation of business accounts, book-keeping, the preparation of management accounts and training. Lisa leads a team of 4 members.

Lisa is a member of the Association of Accounting Technicians (a full member since 2005). She has always worked in local accountancy practices and joined Friend & Grant Ltd in 2005. Lisa enjoys going to the gym, exploring her family tree and reading. 

Teresa Bowditch is head of the company's payroll department and responsible for our internal administration, book-keeping and credit control. Teresa has a wealth of experience dealing with over one hundred payrolls from one man companies through to payrolls of over 50 staff.

Teresa has been a full member of the Association of Accounting Technicians for over 15 years. She has worked in local accountancy practices and joined Friend & Grant Ltd in 2000. Teresa enjoys reading, needlecraft and exploring the world!

Scott Russell  is part of our accounts department, dealing with the preparation and audit of business accounts. Scott also looks after IT issues within the firm.

Scott is a member of the Institute of Chartered Certified Accountants and qualified in 2010. Scott joined the practice in 2009. Scott enjoys going out with friends and playing golf.

Julie Edwards is most likely to be the first person you talk to as she is our receptionist. She also acts as PA to the directors and is responsible for company secretarial matters.

Julie joined Friend & Grant in 2004. Julie enjoys swimming, walking, holidaying and gardening.

Darren Hughes works with Jan in the tax department. Darren deals mainly with tax compliance work and is responsible for the affairs of a number of our smaller clients (e.g. subcontractors, consultants, rental property owners etc...)

Darren joined Friend & Grant Ltd in 2000. Darren enjoys football, golf, fishing and water skiing.

Charlie Armstrong is part of our accounts department dealing with the preparation of business accounts, book-keeping and the preparation of management accounts.

Charlie has been a full member of the Association of Accounting Technicians since 2007. She joined Friend & Grant Ltd straight from school in 2005. Charlie enjoys reading, swimming and socialising.

Lisa Howell works within our accounts department dealing primarily with book-keeping and the preparation of management accounts.

Lisa has been a full member of the Association of Accounting Technicians since 2009. She joined Friend & Grant Ltd in 2006. Lisa enjoys horse riding, reading and family life.

Simon Laurie works within our accounts department dealing with the preparation and audit of business accounts.

Simon has a degree in Accounting and Marketing from Canterbury Christchurch University. Simon joined Friend & Grant Ltd in 2009 and is now working towards becoming a qualified Chartered Certified Accountant. Simon enjoys football, running, golf and studying!

Ashleigh Blundell is our latest recruit having joined our expanding tax department in August 2011.