One of the best known and respected figures in the business world in North Wales is celebrating an important milestone. It’s now exactly 30 years since Michael Coxey set up his own accountancy firm, MD Coxey & Co in Wrexham.
A native of Bolton in Lancashire, Mr Coxey first arrived in the town in 1974 and became a partner in David R Jones & Co. Then three years later he bought his partners out and established Coxeys which has a growing and varied client base.
He said: “I was brought up in a very industrialised area so I appreciated the scenery around here. I settled from the very beginning and I never, ever had any intention of going back to Lancashire. The town has been very kind to me and the past 30 years have flown by. I’m still very much enjoying my work and I regard our clients as good friends. The accountancy business has changed enormously with the increase in regulations, tax office compliance and general red tape. That makes it all the more important to have a good organisation and team around you and I am extremely lucky in that respect. When I first came here, there were eight members of staff and now there are 30 people working here with a 40 per increase in clients. The quality of the service to our clients is fundamental to our ethos and the company has grown through word of mouth recommendation, which is the best way. Our client base is pretty diverse – we look after private limited companies, family run businesses, sole traders and partnerships and many self-assessment tax returns. We also specialise in audits and high level personal tax planning for individuals and families as well as advising Pension Funds, Trusts, Associations and Charities. No business or tax work is typically too large or small for us and we seek to provide city skills at provincial prices.
“My enjoyment comes through talking to clients about everything and anything. I know most of the clients’ families, we’ve grown older together! I didn’t always aspire to be an accountant, I wanted to be a train driver but my father derailed my ambitions and suggested that I should become an accountant instead!”
Gill Atkinson, said: “Michael is something of an institution in the Wrexham business community and a loved and respected colleague. He remains the driving force of the company and as our senior figure provides guidance and inspiration to the members of staff following in his footsteps – he is a 110 per cent dedicated professional.”
But Michael revealed one of the secrets of accountancy that some might find surprising.
He said: “Maths is probably the last thing you need to do this job. It’s about logic and problem solving practical business sense and above all communication. A good dollop of common sense helps too.
