Garnett Williams Powell Solicitors strengthens compliance, control and efficiency with Osprey Approach
Amy Bruce, marketing director at Osprey Approach, shares how a collaboration with Garnett Williams Powell Solicitors fostered compliance confidence and stronger financial management in the firm
Garnett Williams Powell Solicitors is a long-established law firm based in Rhyl, Denbighshire, serving clients across North Wales and the surrounding areas. Its experienced team provides a range of private client services including conveyancing, wills and probate, estate administration and Court of Protection work.
Last year, Garnett Williams Powell reviewed its existing accounts system after identifying areas for improvement around compliance and reliability. With its strong focus on client service, accuracy and regulatory compliance, the firm needed a solution it could trust to support its financial processes and provide greater control over reporting. After considering several options, the firm chose Osprey Approach as its practice and accounts software provider.
A compliant system provides confidence from the outset
Sian Williams, practice manager and cashier, worked closely with Osprey throughout the implementation. For the firm, compliance was a fundamental requirement when selecting a new system. She explains: “Our previous system didn’t give us the confidence we needed around SRA compliance, so we had to find a solution we could trust.”
The ability to produce clear and structured month-end reports was also an important factor in the firm’s decision to choose Osprey: “The big sell for me in choosing Osprey was the way the end of month reports are done.”
Together, these requirements meant Garnett Williams Powell needed greater confidence that its accounts processes were properly supported and aligned with regulatory expectations, while also making month-end and period-end tasks easier to manage.
Clear reporting puts greater control at the firm’s fingertips
Osprey’s reporting functionality was a defining factor in Garnett Williams Powell’s decision to switch systems. The firm had found that other providers did not offer the same level of clarity around month-end and period-end processes.
“The month-end and period-end reporting was a key factor. Other providers didn’t offer the same level of clarity, but with Osprey it’s all there and easy to manage.”
Having the necessary reports readily available has made these processes more structured and manageable, while giving the firm greater visibility over both client and office accounts. For a firm where accuracy and compliance are critical, this clarity provides an important level of control and confidence.
A more user-friendly approach makes day-to-day management easier
Alongside compliance and reporting, ease of use was another important consideration for Garnett Williams Powell when reviewing potential providers. Williams found Osprey’s setup more straightforward than the alternatives the firm had considered.
“I preferred Osprey’s setup, it’s more user-friendly,” says Williams. “What I like about it is you can see all the accounts on one page – it is a lot easier to see it on the screen in front of you.”
That simplicity has also had a practical impact on Williams working life. Previously, completing month-end meant coming into the office, regardless of whether this fell on a weekend or Bank Holiday.
Osprey’s portal means Williams can now access the system from home, which has reduced the administrative burden associated with completing these essential processes and given her greater flexibility in how and where she works.
Responsive support when the firm needs it
Support was another important consideration for Garnett Williams Powell. Whereas Williams had been responsible for managing support issues herself, with Osprey in place, members of the wider team may contact the support team directly.
The firm’s previous experiences with support had also made a significant impression on its decision to switch.
“We’d had poor experiences with support, which made a big impact on our decision. With Osprey, we know we’re supported when we need it,” she says.
For Williams, the responsiveness of Osprey’s support team has continued to make a tangible difference beyond the initial implementation.
“When I’ve asked for support, I find that you really don’t have a great deal of time to wait. We have a response always within the hour – if not within 15 or 20 minutes. To me, that is worth so much more.”
Greater confidence in compliance and financial management
Since implementing Osprey, Garnett Williams Powell Solicitors has strengthened its accounts processes and gained greater confidence in the accuracy, compliance and control of its financial management.
For Williams, that confidence is ultimately the most important outcome of the change.
“It’s given us the confidence that our accounts are accurate, compliant, and under control.”
