About us

About Griffiths Preston, Chartered Accountants

The firm began its practice in 1983 with a client base in the Watford and Rickmansworth area. In 1996 it moved to the market town of Berkhamsted, which has excellent train links to London, is near Hemel Hempstead and close to five county regions: Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Bedfordshire, North Oxfordshire and West Northamptonshire. Clive Preston joined the practice in 2004 and has since taken over the firm.

Clive Preston BA (University College, Oxford) FCA

Clive has wide-ranging interests and an even broader base of business experience at executive level. After concluding his accounting articles (Peat Marwick), he joined a Times 100 food merchant group (£120m turnover) as Company Secretary and was promoted to Group Finance Director during which time he rescued the group from a near insolvency position. Fifteen years later, as Finance Director of a new media video enterprise, he devised strategies to protect the interests of a syndicate of investors, which supplied him with hands-on insight and expertise in investment and personal finance. He spent 20 years (Director, then Group Finance Director) guiding a group of companies — medical and veterinary supplies, farming and properties — through a period of growth and consolidation. In 2004, he purchased the accountancy practice and doubled its client-base, capabilities and service levels.

 

He is interested in IT possibilities (designed and implemented a bespoke software system for the NHS), property development (leading an award-winning design, planning and construction of a new laboratory conversion) and business growth (leading the acquisition of two competitor companies, achieving payback within two years). His personal interests are outdoor and country pursuits and he has a fondness for nature, particularly for the curlew Numenius arquata, one of the most ancient lineages of the wader birds.

 

Emily Lovett ACA

Emily joined Griffiths Preston in 2007 as Senior Manager, coming as a Chartered Accountant with a wealth of accounting and management experience. With a background in both the profession and in commerce, she provides an extensive accounting and taxation service to our clients. After qualifying with a medium-sized firm of Chartered Accountants, Emily was promoted to Audit Manager, and was ‘poached’ by a listed plc client, an international lighting enterprise (turnover £180m) as Financial Accountant, before being promoted to Company Secretary. During a career break to raise a family, she undertook various voluntary accounting-based projects and part-time work as an accountant for a not-for-profit organisation. Her own interests lie in enjoying her family, entertaining and visiting National Trust gardens that give her inspiration for her own garden.

 

Christina Couch

Chris has been the Payroll Manager since 2000. She originally joined Griffiths Hicks in Rickmansworth before moving to Berkhamsted in 2002. She is responsible for preparing all aspects of monthly and weekly payrolls including CIS returns for about 45 companies. She also fills a part-time role as a bookkeeper and makes monthly visits to various clients’ offices. Fully conversant with QuickBooks, Sage and Intact software, she book-keeps to the highest standard producing information ready for the preparation of management and financial accounts. Her interests are her family life, entertaining and being entertained.

 

Vladka Cosier

Born in the Czech Republic, Vladka has lived in the UK since 2001. She joined Griffiths Preston in 2006. She is the Accounts Manager and prepares financial and management accounts and VAT and corporation tax returns, and provides quick and reliable bookkeeping services in both Sage and QuickBooks. She is also studying towards an ACCA qualification. Before becoming a mother of two children, her interests were playing volleyball, scuba diving and travelling.

 

Susan Russell

Susan is the mainstay of the practice, holding it all together. She is usually the first point of contact for our clients. As Clive’s PA, she has been with the practice since 1998. She not only provides secretarial and administrative support for the office, she also manages all company secretarial work, ensuring all tax deadlines are noted and advised and assists with the preparation of tax returns. She enjoys modern novels, obscure foreign films and choral singing.