Case Studies

Churchill & Blakedown Golf Club

William Wordsworth once said of golf that it was “a day spent in a round of strenuous idleness” and Churchill & Blakedown Golf Club offers an ideal setting to spend such a day.

The club, which dates back to 1926, has an enviable location in the heart of the Worcestershire countryside, with stunning views from both course and clubhouse, and is kept running smoothly for its 420 members by a small team of six – managing secretary Peter Bailey, a steward, three green keepers and an administrator.

As managing secretary, a post he has held for seven years, Peter looks after issues including health and safety, general administration and finance, where he works closely with ER Grove, the club’s accountants for the last six years.

Peter explains: “Our previous accountant, who had just a small practice, was retiring at the time and we needed to look elsewhere. As part of that process, we interviewed ER Grove, who had been personally recommended by a couple of people within the club, and decided to appoint them.”

When he took up his post, Peter had quickly realised that the club’s internal financial systems, which relied on manual accounting and an early form of computer spreadsheets, needed updating.

He explains: “I have been involved in running a number of large businesses and I knew from experience that we needed proper records and checks in place. Working with ER Grove, we implemented Quickbooks accounting software and we now have a system that works very, very well.”

ER Grove checks the club’s accounts each quarter and, although it does not require an annual audit, conducts a more detailed year end check and verification of the accounts. The club has a complex position where VAT is concerned – it receives some VAT relief, pays some VAT at full rate and some at partial rate – so ER Grove also carry out a quarterly review of its VAT to ensure everything is in order.

“We have a very good relationship with ER Grove,” Peter says. “The team is extremely helpful and if I need to know how to do anything, all I have to do is ask. For example, we do all the wages on our system but when we had a new member of ground staff recently, we had a payroll query and were able to contact ER Grove for advice. They are also able to access our system remotely, which is useful.”

Peter is currently preparing to step down from his post, which means that he will once more be able to enjoy a round or two at the club, and he can retire in the knowledge that his successor will inherit sound financial systems and an excellent working relationship with ER Grove.