16th century
The start of bookkeeping
It is quite likely that complicated forms of bookkeeping, that could be viewed as accounting practices, would have taken place in King’s Lynn from the 16th century; as at this time approximately 40 German merchants were based in King’s Lynn – part of the Hanseatic League.
1872
Establishment of Society of Accountants in England.
The accounting profession was formally recognised in 1872, with the establishment of the Society of Accountants in England.
1920
Robert Stanley Smart - Founding Partner
Founding partner, Robert Stanley Smart, is listed as a Fellow of accounting at the firm Stephenson Smart & Co. on King Street in King’s Lynn in August 1920.
1920
Joseph Stephenson - Founding Partner
We know that the other founding partner was Joseph Stephenson.
1974
Hand stitched accounts
Paper ledgers were used to create double-entry records and often accounts are still referred to as ‘books’ today – accounts were hand stitched together with a needle and thread.
mid-1980s
Stephenson Smart got its first computer
The birth of the computer revolutionised accounting; enabling records to be kept and worked out electronically. Stephenson Smart got its first computer in the mid-1980s.
1989
Fakenham Office Opens
In 1989, an office was established in Fakenham. We still have an office on Oak Street in that market town in North Norfolk.
2010
Wisbech Office Opens
In 2010, Stephenson Smart moved into Cambridgeshire, when an office was established in Wisbech. In the same year, an office was also established in Downham Market.
2014
March Office Opens
In 2014, Stephenson Smart further expanded into Cambridgeshire with an office in March.
2015
Great Yarmouth Office Opens
In 2015, an office was established in Gorleston, Great Yarmouth.
2019
The launch of Making Tax Digital
Basic forms of accounting move over to digital to feed into HMRC’s Making Tax Digital programme.
2023
Acle office opens
In 2023, an office was established in Acle, Norfolk.
16th century
The start of bookkeeping
It is quite likely that complicated forms of bookkeeping, that could be viewed as accounting practices, would have taken place in King’s Lynn from the 16th century; as at this time approximately 40 German merchants were based in King’s Lynn – part of the Hanseatic League.
1872
Establishment of Society of Accountants in England.
The accounting profession was formally recognised in 1872, with the establishment of the Society of Accountants in England.
1920
Robert Stanley Smart - Founding Partner
Founding partner, Robert Stanley Smart, is listed as a Fellow of accounting at the firm Stephenson Smart & Co. on King Street in King’s Lynn in August 1920.
1920
Joseph Stephenson - Founding Partner
We know that the other founding partner was Joseph Stephenson.
1974
Hand stitched accounts
Paper ledgers were used to create double-entry records and often accounts are still referred to as ‘books’ today – accounts were hand stitched together with a needle and thread.
mid-1980s
Stephenson Smart got its first computer
The birth of the computer revolutionised accounting; enabling records to be kept and worked out electronically. Stephenson Smart got its first computer in the mid-1980s.
1989
Fakenham Office Opens
In 1989, an office was established in Fakenham. We still have an office on Oak Street in that market town in North Norfolk.
2010
Wisbech Office Opens
In 2010, Stephenson Smart moved into Cambridgeshire, when an office was established in Wisbech. In the same year, an office was also established in Downham Market.
2014
March Office Opens
In 2014, Stephenson Smart further expanded into Cambridgeshire with an office in March.
2015
Great Yarmouth Office Opens
In 2015, an office was established in Gorleston, Great Yarmouth.
2019
The launch of Making Tax Digital
Basic forms of accounting move over to digital to feed into HMRC’s Making Tax Digital programme.
2023
Acle office opens
In 2023, an office was established in Acle, Norfolk.