JANE FEREDAY LTD

Executive Summary

JANE FEREDAY LTD is a micro-entity accounting practice operating in the competitive and regulation-intensive UK accounting sector. While maintaining a stable financial footing with professional leadership, the company faces working capital constraints and competitive pressures from larger firms and digital disruptors. To strengthen its market position, investment in technology and expanding advisory services could be key strategic priorities.

JANE FEREDAY LTD - Analysis Report

Company Number: 13206466

Analysis Date: 2025-07-20 13:09 UTC

1. Industry Classification
   JANE FEREDAY LTD operates primarily within the accounting and auditing sector, classified under SIC code 69201. This sector encompasses firms engaged in providing accounting services, including bookkeeping, auditing, tax consultancy, and financial advisory. Key characteristics of this sector include reliance on professional expertise, regulatory compliance, recurring client engagements (e.g., annual audits, tax filings), and increasing demand for value-added advisory amid growing complexity in financial regulations. The sector is populated by a mix of large multinational firms, mid-sized regional players, and numerous micro and small enterprises focusing on local or niche markets.

2. Relative Performance
   JANE FEREDAY LTD is classified as a micro-entity based on turnover and balance sheet size thresholds, with financial figures consistent with a small-scale accounting practice. As of the 2025 financial year-end, the company reported net assets of £71,907 and shareholders' funds of the same amount, indicating modest capitalisation. The company’s fixed assets decreased slightly to £260,502, while current assets increased to £221,258. Current liabilities remain high at £383,796, resulting in negative net current assets of approximately -£158,885. Compared to typical micro or small accounting firms, these liabilities are relatively elevated, which may reflect working capital constraints or deferred income/payables. The company employs an average of 8 people, aligning with a small practice size, suggesting it is above the smallest micro firms, which often have fewer than 5 employees.

3. Sector Trends Impact
   The accounting and auditing sector in the UK has been experiencing several notable trends impacting firms like JANE FEREDAY LTD:

• Increasing regulatory scrutiny and compliance requirements (e.g., changes in tax law, anti-money laundering rules) are driving demand for professional accounting services.
• Digital transformation and adoption of cloud accounting software are reshaping service delivery, pushing firms to invest in technology to enhance efficiency and client engagement.
• Competition has intensified from online and automated accounting platforms, which often target smaller clients. This trend pressures traditional firms to differentiate via personalised advisory services.
• The ongoing importance of sustainability reporting and ESG compliance is creating new advisory opportunities but also increasing complexity.
• Post-pandemic economic volatility has heightened client demand for cash flow management and financial planning services.

JANE FEREDAY LTD, as a small-scale practice, likely faces both challenges and opportunities from these dynamics, especially in technology adoption and expanding advisory beyond compliance.

4. Competitive Positioning
   Strengths:

• The company benefits from the professional qualifications of its directors, including a certified chartered accountant, which supports credibility in a trust-sensitive sector.
• Being a private limited company with an active website presence suggests a formal business structure and potential client reach beyond purely local referrals.
• A stable net asset base with a modest positive equity position indicates ongoing financial viability, albeit at a small scale.

Weaknesses:

• The relatively high current liabilities compared to current assets may indicate working capital pressures, which could limit operational flexibility.
• The firm’s micro-entity status and small size mean it likely lacks the economies of scale and resource depth of larger competitors, which can affect pricing power and service breadth.
• Limited fixed asset investment reduction year-over-year might suggest underinvestment in technology infrastructure, potentially impacting efficiency against more digitally advanced competitors.

Overall, JANE FEREDAY LTD appears positioned as a small, locally focused accounting practice, likely serving SMEs or individual clients. It operates within a competitive and evolving industry where scale and technology adoption increasingly influence competitive advantage.