RWCA – New Look, Timeless Values

When you’re a successful accountancy firm with a 55 year history, a sterling reputation and clients who’ve been with you generations rather than years, you’d be crazy to do a radical rebrand. That’s why Nelson-based Richards Woodhouse Chartered Accountants is treading softly with changes to the company’s name and image - timed to coincide with a shift to new premises. “It’s a refresh rather than a rebrand,” says one of the firm’s five partners, Trevor Cameron. “With the move, it was the right time to look at updating to a more contemporary look and feel, while still retaining our links with the past.”

In March 2013, the company changed its name from Richards Woodhouse (which it’s been since the 1970s) to RWCA (radical huh?) and shifted into new offices in Buxton Square. What didn’t change was pretty much everything else. “Our clients still deal with the same people they’ve always dealt with and our fee structure remains unchanged. The biggest change for clients is that it’s now easier to find a carpark nearby!” says Trevor.

Not that RWCA is an organisation afraid of change. A good mix of youth and experience on the partnership team and amongst the 20+ staff ensure the firm keeps evolving. RWCA’s youngest partner Francesco Pessione, 39, sees the age mix as one of the firm’s greatest strengths. “Because RWCA has been in the advisory game so long, some of the partners have been through at least two major global meltdowns. They’ve learnt an awful lot and that advice and experience is invaluable for clients. However we’ve also got younger people to bring in new ideas and energy. If we were a firm of all young people, or all older people, we’d make different decisions. I think we have a really good balance.”

RWCA works in partnership with Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology and local colleges to recruit and train new talent. “Many locals have started their accountancy careers at RWCA,” says Trevor. “Some are still with us while others now have amazing careers all around the world. We see it as another way of supporting our local community.”

Supporting local is a recurring theme at RWCA, where all five partners “live and breathe” Nelson. “We’re locally-owned and operated and with that comes a different culture and level of accountability,” says Francesco. “Our kids are out in the community and we know everyone around town. Local ownership means local decision-making – we’re not being told what to do by someone in head office who doesn’t know where Trafalgar Street is.”

RWCA offers a premier accountancy and business advisory service, filing in excess of 4,000 tax returns per annum and dealing with organisations of all sizes throughout the Top of the South. However don’t even think about asking them to name names.

“Because we deal with peoples’ finances and business mentoring, we respect the unique position of trust we have,” says Trevor. “Client confidentiality is one of the hallmarks of our profession. Other firms may choose to feature their clients in their marketing – that’s fine, but it’s just not our style.”

What IS RWCA’s style, is offering practical and direct advice. “We think of our role as being that of a ‘critical friend’, says Francesco. “We’ll give independent advice you can immediately apply in your business. We’re not just there to give you a kiss and a cuddle and tell you you’re awesome! We’ll roll up our sleeves and sit down with you to make a plan to keep your business on track.”