We practice what we preach
- how IT has helped us to grow

1st March 1995 Take over the practice of E Taylor Roalfe & Co in Longfield near Dartford following the tragic death of Ted Roalfe through cancer. As he had been ill for a year there was a mountain of work, an enthusiastic team an excellent client base but no computers!

The offices are above a hairdresser's and once a week the partner and five staff get high on the smell of perming lotion - soon to be known as Blue-Rinse Tuesday.

June 1995 - The first PC arrives at the office. Staff offered post-traumatic stress counselling. Practice purchases Iris combined accounts and tax software.

September 1995 Staff discover that new IT manager Pete Baldwin is serving two-month ban by Kent Rugby Union for over-aggressive conduct on the rugby field. When he informs everyone of his plans for the computer system no one argues.

May 1996 - Firm moves fifty yards to larger offices. Several staff suffer perming lotion withdrawal symptoms. First network created in the office with combined telephone and network points.

December 1996 - Firm purchases Iris business tax to be used for tax computations and more importantly by linking with accounts to produce Corporation Tax Returns.

January 1998 - Office achieves 100% success rate getting first self-assessment tax returns to Inland Revenue with no penalties for staff. Gordon Brown cancels Treasury's staff party.

June 1998 Firm's website built on www.stephen-hill.co.uk.

March 1999 - Desk to desk E-mailing arrives and the post-it note is banned.

September 1999 - Firm purchase a derelict nightclub (formerly a bikers café) and moves the practice to West Kingsdown.

November 2000 Launch of STIR (Saving time, improving results) software providing an online procedures manual and standardising office systems

August 2001 Introduction of the asktheexpert business advisory programme

What next? Visual basic programming enabling our internal database to improve services to clients