We have been helping businesses worldwide since 1935, when our founder Edwin K Williams introduced a system to help Petrol Stations in the USA to control their business and maximise profits.
The ideas and concepts were embraced and adopted on a worldwide basis by the major Oil Companies in the subsequent years. Edwin, recognising the potential, set about creating a licensed network of operations on a worldwide basis to provide a standard level of service that the Oil Companies recognised and accepted.
In the UK we have continued to develop our services by bringing together a unique blend of traditional accountancy expertise with professional business advice through fully integrated retail business solutions. We operate in niche markets, now including convenience stores, franchised brands and the licensed trade, whilst working with credible business partners to offer the best solutions to our customers.
We have a national network of friendly business advisors who are on hand to turn hard numerical data into useful management information, presented in easy, everyday language, to help business people manage their business more effectively. We can also help you to use this information proactively to identify development areas in your business, such as identifying opportunities to save costs and thereby increase profitability.
Brief History
Here in the UK throughout the latter part of the 20th century and to this day, renowned for its product and service innovation combined with impeccable levels of quality, EKW has become the acknowledged petroleum retail industry accounting expert. Customers value the reassurance of an expert national brand with the convenience of local service delivery.
As service stations evolved into convenience retailers, EKW expanded its area of expertise to become true retail accountants. We now serve customers operating under many grocery symbol groups or brands, either associated with a petrol forecourt or stand alone stores. We work closely with POS and Back-Office manufacturers to ensure seamless systems provide the greatest levels of benefit and efficiency.
In November 2000, EKW concluded the purchase of Austens Limited, a leading form of licensed trade accountants. We’ve grown that niche business whilst gaining significant contracts from many of today’s national and regional pub companies and Austens was regarded as one of the leading pub accounting firms. More recently, EKW finalised the merger of two licensed trade businesses, Austens (EK Williams Ltd) and Milestone (MSLTA Ltd). Operating under the Milestone brand, the new company delivers expert accounting and payroll services to the entire market. Milestone will focus on further developing the industry leading accountancy service with customers benefiting from the ability to identify and apply best practice from the two existing companies as well as a plan to bring exciting new services to the licensed trade.
In 2005, following a rigorous application process, EKW were invited to become affiliate members of the British Franchise Association (BFA) and we have since extended the benefits of our specialised accounting and payroll solutions to many high street franchised brands.
For more information on how the EKW Group can help you to maximise the efficiency of your business, please contact us today.
