Bolton’s Greater Manchester Business School Expands Accountancy and Tax Clinic

The University of Bolton’s Greater Manchester Business School (GMBS) has hit the headlines with their plans to develop and enhance its free business and accountancy advisory clinic to help start-ups and small businesses, networking, and tender opportunities as part of Bolton Council’s Economic Growth and Resilience Plan. Bolton is currently the fourth largest Borough in Greater Manchester, and one where too many of the town’s 280,000 population are earning low wages and travelling elsewhere to achieve higher skilled work.
The Council’s plan is committed to helping businesses create more highly-skilled, better-paid jobs and work better with residents to ensure they can access the opportunities available. To make this possible, in addition to the recent £1 billion of public and private investment that Bolton has seen over recent years, the town has just incurred new funds, including the £22.9 million Town Deal, Future High Streets Fund, and Brownfield Site funding, which has the potential to transform the physical landscape of Bolton town centre.
The University of Bolton and Bolton College work closely with local employers, and the Team Bolton Partnership, to tailor the training they offer to meet specific skills needs. As more businesses move into the Borough and start here, Bolton University and Bolton College will continue to build a dynamic and local curriculum.

In ten years, the plans developed by Bolton Council and the GMBS will have directly contributed to building a thriving Bolton community where people live and work in a future UK leading economy.

In the words of Dr Carl Bridge, the Head of Accounting and Business PG studies at the Greater Manchester Business School, “our ambition is to create better jobs in a more productive Bolton”.

The University Accounting Clinic is based in Newport Street, Bolton town centre, and offers advice and support to businesses and individuals on a wide range of accountancy, tax and business issues.
The clinic operates through the academic accounting team at the University as a drop-in facility or an appointment system. Students on the accounting programme accompany qualified accountancy staff, thereby gaining valuable work experience whilst at university.
The clinic is a timely and strong initiative that supports the business community of Bolton. Entrepreneurship, innovation and creativity are essential ingredients for the prosperity of the region.”
Dr Mohammed Sadiq, Assistant Teaching Professor at the University of Bolton, said:
“We are excited to be able to offer this free service to the people of Bolton, especially in these challenging times. The University is playing its part in the socio-economic recovery of Bolton as well as supporting our students.”
Dr Sadiq added: “This will also give our students the chance to deal with real issues, apply their knowledge and provide the best advice and guidance which will help to prepare them for employment when they graduate.”
The clinic offers the following accountancy and tax services free of charge:
- Advice and guidance on book-keeping and computerised accounting; the preparation of year-end financial accounts; raising finance, tax advice on establishing and registering a business with Companies House and HMRC; completing self-assessment tax returns and Making Tax Digital (MTD)
It will also provide advice and guidance on Business Planning, Cash Flow Management, PAYE as well as preparing corporation tax and VAT returns.
Dr Sadiq said: “This Pro Bono service does not replace the services of an accountant.
“The clinic supports local business as a drop-in, as a general first stop advice centre. We are very much working with local practitioners – complex cases will be referred to local practitioners as appropriate.”
An online portal, where members of the public can make an appointment with someone from the clinic, can be found at:

Accounting, Tax and Business Clinic (ATBC) | University of Bolton