Austerity is bringing dividends for a Bradford-based chartered accountancy firm which is winning business from its bigger rivals as companies look to cut costs.

Watson Buckle, on Cottingley Business Park, near Bingley, is set for expansion in its audit department after an influx of clients, including an increasing number of larger firms.

With all firms above a certain size required to have accounts audited each year, Watson Buckle has marketed itself to potential large business clients that would usually have used one of the ‘big four’ accountancy firms.

Watson Buckle’s membership of the international accountancy association MGI means it can provide access to a range of specialised knowledge or international insight In 2009 this led to the firm being chosen ahead of international giants to carry out work for a large French engineering company, which was looking to acquire a UK-based business after being recommended by the French company’s auditors, which also belonged to the MGI network.

Watson Buckle recently appointed former trainee Gillian Corcoran as audit manager and is now seeking two new recruits to join the team.

Further recruitment is planned later next year if the current business growth continues.

Managing partner Susan Sedgwick said: “In the field of audit, we have done very well as the economic downturn has caused firms to look more closely at how they are spending their money.

“In many cases they have concluded that a local firm can provide a comparable service to the big names at a much more competitive price, and I know from speaking to my colleagues at other MGI firms that this is a trend being repeated across the country."