Our Story
Sysum Howard Duggan Accountants
A passion for empowering business to help you thrive, maximise your growth potential and achieve sustainable long-term success.
What we do
About us
Sysum Howard Duggan Accountants is your go-to choice for accounting, tax and business advice in Worcestershire and Newmarket. Our team of highly skilled professionals provides a personalised local service that combines expertise and exceptional customer care.
We take a friendly and professional approach, so you feel comfortable and confident entrusting us with your financial needs.
With years of experience and extensive knowledge, our team handles a wide range of accounting, tax and advisory services, including end-of-year accounts, VAT returns, Corporation Tax and payroll, plus financial forecasting, management accounts, non-executive support and fractional FD services.
Our advice looks beyond where your business has been, helping you plan ahead and make decisions with confidence.
How we do it
Our expertise
Our in-house specialists understand the realities of many sectors and industries, so you receive tailored advice and solutions that meet your unique business requirements. As our team has grown, so has the depth of expertise within it, including chartered accountants working with larger and more complex clients.
Convenience is key. Our purpose-built offices offer easy access and ample parking. We prioritise clear communication and accessibility, giving you peace of mind and expert support for growth.
We also stay on top of the latest financial regulations and HMRC guidance, so you can focus on running your business while we manage all your accounting, tax and advisory needs.
Choose us for a service built on real expertise, close relationships and advice that keeps pace with your growing business.
Why we do it
Our values
We’ve built our reputation on the back of strong client relationships and being an approachable, attentive and responsible business. Everything we do is driven by our values of…
Community
Competence
Customer focus
As an independent firm, we offer unbiased advice and solutions, ensuring our clients’ best interests are at the forefront of our decision-making.
Trust We prioritise building trust with our clients through transparent and ethical practices, ensuring their financial interests are protected.
Who we are
Meet our Midlands team
Neil Sysum
Director and Accountant
About Neil
Neil is our Managing Director and a Senior Accountant in the firm. He started in Accountancy as a Bookkeeper and Payroll Manager after leaving a financial background as a senior accounts manager in a multinational finance company. Once qualified, Neil set up SW&A Accountants in Worcester.
Up until 2011 Neil was an award-winning tutor for the Business, Management and professional Team at Worcester College of Technology.
Neil has worked with Sysum Howard Duggan as an Owner, Operator and Managing Director since the company began and is as much of a part of the current team today as he was when he started the firm.
“I’m proud of our team, our management and our direction as a company; being a busy firm has never detracted from our ability to give every client the best of our skills and abilities – long may it continue….”
James Howard
Director & Managing Partner
About James
James is the new Managing Partner here at Sysum Howard Duggan having joined and helped with the relaunch in September. James was previously a partner in a national firm, working out of their Worcester office. He joined that firm straight from university and worked his way up to being one of the youngest partners within that firm nationally.
“Being part of my own accountancy firm is something I’ve always aspired to in my career. Joining SW&A and transforming it into Sysum Howard Duggan gives me the opportunity to achieve this alongside people I know and trust, and to build on the incredible foundation Neil, Helen & Liz have created to help our clients grow and succeed.”
James’s appointment – reflects the firm’s broader vision: expanding services beyond compliance to deliver holistic, strategic advice for businesses of all sizes, from start-ups to high-growth companies, providing board-level support and advising on management buy-outs, business development and acquisitions.
In his spare time James is kept very busy by his 2 young boys and is a keen sportsman, being still involved at his rugby club and also trying to play golf!
Liz Duggan
Director and Head of Payroll
About Liz
Liz started working for Three Counties Payroll in 2009, became Payroll Manager in April 2013. She is very experienced in all areas of Payroll and with dealing with the HMRC, she prides herself on being able to give a service our clients can reply on. Liz is also an AAT qualified Accountant and graduated from the University of Worcester with a Payroll degree and she became a Director in 2019.
In her spare time Liz enjoys going on holidays with her husband, exploring different national Trust venues and also spending time with her Grandson.
Helen Sysum
Director and Office Administrator
About Helen
Helen has worked for Sysum Howard Duggan since day one. Her duties are mainly behind the scenes, dealing with the day-to-day operations. Helen has completed qualifications at Worcester College and has put these to good use within the company. Helen has been instrumental in developing and sharing the companies’ vision of an accountancy business that cares for its clients and works hard to ensure that Sysum Howard Duggan can continue living the quality of service that our clients are used to.
“it’s a pleasure to work in such an exciting and rewarding business and I am pleased to continue to promote all important company values both now and in the future”
Gail Hopkins
Accounts Manager
About Gail
Gail joined the company in November 2009 after completing her Accountancy training at Worcester College in June 2009. She has a background in Mechanical Engineering and Quality Assurance Management, but decided to retrain after starting a family. Being involved in all aspects of the accounting activities has earned Gail respect from clients and the management alike; her expertise in Management and Financial Accounting is exceptional.
Grace Briney
Accountant
About Grace
Grace joined the company in April 2023 having working in accounts for over 2 decades. Grace is AAT qualified and is in the process of finishing her strategic CIMA level.
In her spare time, she can be found with friends and family and dreaming of sailing around Greece.
Louise Cox
Accounts Assistant
About Louise
Lou joined the Sysum Howard Duggan team in 2021 after enjoying her career in Property Management.
She has expanded her role and skills processing to one of Sysum Howard Duggan Accountants.
In her spare time, Lou likes to spend time with her daughter and plan family adventures and working on her fitness
Claire Tracey
Trainee Management Accountant
About Claire
Claire joined Sysum Howard Duggan Accountants in September 2021 after enjoying a career in Graphic Design for over 20 years. She has learned a whole new skill set and looks after her clients flawlessly.
In her spare time, Claire is passionate about baking and if she is not in the kitchen, she is running her sons to various football matches.
Claire Williams
Accounts Assistant
About Claire
Claire joined Sysum Howard Duggan in 2021 and is an expert in accounts administration. She has worked in all aspects of sales ledger, purchase ledger, credit control and order processing for over 30 years.
In her spare time, Claire enjoys spending time with her partner and family, shopping, socialising and planning her next holiday.
Becky Galvin
Bookkeeper
About Becky
Becky joined the Sysum Howard Duggan team in July 2022. Becky has worked in book keeping for over a decade and is a loved member of the team.
Becky loves spending time with her family as well as gardening and walking.
Hannah Fisher
Administration and Compliance Officer
About Hannah
Hannah joined the company in September 2020 to help process the furlough claims. Hannah completed her Level 3 Payroll Administrator training in October. Currently she has changed roles in the business, and now looks after all the compliance and administration as well as helping Neil with various tasks.
In her spare time she enjoys spending time with her husband and 2 children, socialising and going out for meals
Kimberly Pockett
Trainee Management Accountant
About Kimberly
Kimberly joined Sysum Howard Duggan Accountants in April 2025 she is currently studying AAT at college. She is looking forward to learning new skill set.
In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her kids & socialising.
Monty Evans
Office Manager
About Monty
Monty joined SW&A in 2015 and is at the very centre of the business. His dedication to the staff and clients is faultless and he always goes above and beyond to keep the wheels turning. If in doubt contact Monty.
Who we are
Meet our East team
Neil Robinson
Director
About Neil
Neil is a qualified Fellow of the Institute of Stock Auditors and has strong trade knowledge, from owning multiple pubs in the past.
Neil is very keen on business development in the company.
Kerry Duddan
Director
About Kerry
Kerry is extremely hard working and prides herself on being able to give her clients the most reliable and through service.
She qualified for her AAT whilst managing 2 hotels and joined the company initially as a bookkeeper.
Chris Newsome
Director
About Chris
Chris enjoys working with focused individuals from all aspects of hospitality from large PLC’s to sole traders. He has extensive trade knowledge.
Sam Morris
Director
About Sam
Sam has previously managed a variety of establishments from village pubs to wedding venues and a golf club. Sam spends most of his time face to face with our clients and gives them advice and guidance based on detailed financial information the office team produce.
Rhianna Sutherland
Admin Assistant
About Rhianna
Rhianna joined Innhouse in 2018 after a career in childcare. She wanted to learn something new while gaining the skills & confidence to grow in the industry. She loves getting to know clients & building relationships. She looks forward to what the future holds at Innhouse