Fresh thinking accountants
Why us
Our Mission
Fresh thinking and a personalised approach enable us to provide a bespoke service to individuals, businesses and not-for profit organisations throughout the UK and Europe.
We are a modern firm of Chartered Certified Accountants offering all the traditional services you would expect. We offer bespoke packages embracing our experience and technology to enable our clients to concentrate on growing their business.
We understand that most business owners just want to concentrate on what they do best.
We are here to support you and your business.
Our history
Spurling Cannon was started in 2003 by Jonathan Spurling and Andrew Cannon, in offices at Hawley Square in Margate. From the start the ethos of the firm was always about getting things done correctly and to time, whilst offering a personal and professional service.
Expansion saw us move to our current premises at Westwood Cross in 2008 allowing easy access and parking for our clients. It also gave us the opportunity to centralise our operations.
With our programme of continuous professional development we promoted Philip Loveridge to be a Director in 2011. In 2014 we expanded further with the promotion of Richard Phillpott to Director in April, and then the opening of our new Ashford office in July, headed up by Jim Pritchard, who also joined the firm as Director at this time.
In 2021 Alex Sammonds, Sophie Grant and Sam Finch were also promoted to Directors.
Our experience of local businesses has enabled us to develop specialisation for such industries as farming, legal, care homes, not-for-profits, retail, tourism, as well as construction and development.
Directors
Since Spurling Cannon was founded in 2003 by Jonathan Spurling and Andrew Cannon, the team has grown significantly. However, the passion for helping clients of all sizes to grow and develop remains ingrained throughout our organisation.
Here is a quick introduction to some of the faces behind the practice.
Jonathan Spurling
FCAA
Jonathan was a founder member of Spurling Cannon, creating the firm back in 2003 with Andrew Cannon.
Jonathan has over twenty years experience with a whole range of clients, from self employed individuals, small start up businesses and multi million pound turnover companies.
Jonathan is the firms Audit Partner, overseeing a strong audit team involving statutory audits, charity, pensions and solicitors audits.
Jonathan believes that the firms success and growth over the years is down to developing client relationships, with constant contact through the year, to advise and be involved.
Andrew Cannon
FMAAT ACCA
Andrew was a founder member of Spurling Cannon, creating the firm back in 2003 with Jonathan Spurling having qualified previously in Canterbury.
With over 30 years experience of dealing with businesses of all shapes and sizes and with personal experience of creating a successful business Andrew has faced many of the issues faced by small businesses today.
He has been looking after a portfolio of clients successfully for many years and enjoys high client retention and close client relationships.
Philip Loveridge
FCCA
Philip joined Spurling Cannon in 2006 when Alexander Baker was acquired by the firm. Philip became qualified in 2008 and was appointed as a Director of the firm in October 2011.
Philip has over twenty years of experience with a range of clients, from private clients to million pound turnover companies.
Philip has a keen interest in IT which allows him to get to grips with most computer systems.
Personal interests
Born near Southend-on-Sea, Philip spent much of his childhood in South Wales before his time at the University of Kent at Canterbury drew him to the South East of England.
Philip lives in the Palm Bay area of Margate. A member of the university athletics team, Philip can be seen cycling the local area in his attempts to keep fit.
Richard Phillpott
FMAAT ACCA
Richard joined Spurling Cannon in 2008 when W Fowles & Co of Broadstairs was acquired by the firm. Qualifying with the AAT in 2008 and then as a Chartered Certified Accountant with the ACCA in 2012, Richard was appointed as a Director of the firm in April 2014.
Richard has gained vast experience helping new and growing businesses in the local area, he has developed expert knowledge in online accounting software packages and enjoys helping clients of all sizes to grow and develop.
Whilst holding a significant portfolio of clients across all industry sectors, he has a special interest in all things Property, from landlord tax and advice to financial management for larger construction firms and property developers.
Personal interests
Richard is married with 2 children, he has been a leader with the local Scout Group in Birchington for a number of years and enjoy camping, hiking and being outdoors as much as possible. Having lived in Thanet all of his life, Richard is passionate about the local area.
Jim Pritchard
FCCA
Jim was one of our first ever members of staff, joining us in 2005 from a Chartered accountancy practice in Ashford where he had already completed his AAT studies.. We were delighted to make him a Director, in July 2014 and as a result were able to open up our new offices in Ashford with Jim at the helm.
Our Ashford office, in Charing, is now home to three directors and fourteen staff members and continues to grow as a result of Jim and his colleagues hard work and reputation.
Jim has a real ‘hands-on’ approach with all of his clients, and strongly believes that being approachable and giving clear practical advice is the key to a long lasting relationship.
Personal interests
Jim has a young family so spare time is in short supply but, when he can, Jim enjoys clay pigeon shooting, mountain biking and tinkering with his classic car. He is also a huge Arsenal fan, but to say he enjoys watching them is a stretch.
Alex Sammonds
ACCA
Alex first joined Spurling Cannon in 2005 where he started his studies. After 10 years of experience, Alex left to gain further experience at a firm of Chartered Accountants in Canterbury and Faversham, where he completed ACCA studies and qualified as a Chartered Certified Accountant.
Alex came back to Spurling Cannon in 2018, and became an Associate Director in April 2019.
Alex strongly believes in being approachable and having close client relationships. Alex has built a significant portfolio across all industry sectors.
Personal Interests
Alex will regularly be seen at the local golf courses, and can usually be heard with calls of fore on most holes.
As a supporter of Tottenham Hotspur, he is regularly seen in the local pubs, drowning his sorrows.
Sophie Grant
ACCA BSc (Hons)
Sophie graduated university with a first-class honours degree and was awarded the Reeves Prize for the student with the highest grade in accounting. She went on to hold various accounting positions before joining Spurling Cannon in 2014 as Client Manager under Director Richard Phillpott.
Sophie was promoted to Associate Director on the 1 April 2019 with most recently being appointed Director in 2021.
Sophie believes that building client relationships and being approachable is imperative to the firm’s success and endeavours to make herself available both inside and out of standard office hours.
Personal Interests
Placing more value on experiences over physical possessions; Sophie loves to partake in various activities including Escape Rooms, music concerts, and travelling with a strong desire to see as much of the world as possible.
In her homelife, unashamedly, Sophie is a Lego fanatic!
Sam Finch
ACA BFP BA (Hons)
Sam graduated from University in 2011 and then undertook a trainee role at a Chartered Kent practice before qualifying as a Chartered Accountant in 2015.
Sam subsequently joined Spurling Cannon Ashford office in January 2016 as a Client Manager under Jim Pritchard. From there he has seen unprecedented client portfolio growth and naturally progressed to Directorship in April 2019.
Personal interests
Away from the office Sam has a young family to keep him on his toes, if he does manage to escape for a few hours he’ll be found on the golf course, though his favourite hole is always the 19th!
As a football fan he cheers on his beloved Spurs from the sidelines as much as possible.