SWINDON'S longest serving accountant has retired after 45 years at MHA Monahans.

Mike Shawyer joined the Old Town-based firm as a trainee in 1974 aged 19 and eventually became a managing partner.

When he joined the company at its Newport Street offices, known as just Monahans then, most of the bean counting was all done by hand or mental arithmetic and there was only one computer.

Mike said: "It meant that the job was a lot more labour intensive with checking and re-checking figures, but also we didn’t have things like self-assessment tax return deadlines to worry about!

"It wasn’t until the early 80s that we began to computerise, and initially that meant that we only had one computer which was used by one data entry person for the whole office."

Over the years the company has expanded from its original three offices and spread across the south west to Bath, Chippenham, Melksham, Glastonbury, Frome and Taunton.

Mike and the team then oversaw it join the nationwide MHA association of independent accountancy firms.

He added: "I’m proud to have been part of the success of MHA Monahans over the past 45 years, to have helped take the business in new directions such as the addition of Monahans Wealth Management, and to have opened new offices across the region.

"One of the most important things I’ve learnt from my time at MHA Monahans is that you should strive to work with people you like, both as clients and colleagues, and to always treat people with respect.

"The team at MHA Monahans have become more than colleagues to me and collectively we share our professional and personal highs and lows – the people here are really what makes the firm great and help continue our success.”

Managing partner Simon Tombs said: “Mike has been a guiding light for MHA Monahans and his valued contribution over the last 45 years has done so much to cement our position as a well-known and well-regarded friend and adviser to businesses and organisations across the South West.

"Mike is a familiar face in the business community in Swindon and beyond and we wish him the best of luck for his retirement.”