Pierce celebrates milestone 90th birthday

90th-photo.jpg

Blackburn-based chartered accountancy and business advisory firm Pierce is celebrating 90 years in business.

The firm was founded in Accrington in 1929 by Philip Fletcher Pierce after he completed his accountancy training at Richmond Terrace, Blackburn. Today, the firm is based in Blackburn town centre and employs 65 people in departments spanning accounts, audit, payroll, tax, corporate finance, forensic services, business consultancy, admin and secretarial and IT and online services.

The success and longevity of Pierce is largely down to the innovative nature of the business, following the footsteps of Mr Pierce’s forward-thinking. The firm was one of the first to introduce the electronic adding machine during the 1950s and in 1993 was the first firm in Lancashire to introduce a dedicated forensic accounting department providing litigation support to solicitors.

Significant milestones in the business include becoming a two-partner firm in 1947 when Mr Pierce’s articled clerk, George Douglass Whipp from the late 1930s became a partner. Consequently, the firm was renamed “PF Pierce & Co”.

The firm relocated to Blackburn in 1987 and four years later changed the business name to Pierce Chartered Accountants, before renaming to Pierce C.A. in 2004. In 1996 the business returned back to its roots and relocated to Richmond Terrace, where Mr Pierce had trained, before moving to its current location in Ainsworth Street in 2005.

Pierce has 65 employees who cover all areas of running a business and provides not only the critical numbers, but most importantly the advice that goes alongside them, whether it’s protection of assets, structuring, succession planning, business consultancy, R & D tax credit work and much more. Pierce prides itself on adding value to its clients and working and planning with them to reach their corporate and personal goals.

Jimmy King, managing director at Pierce said: “The strong traditions set by Mr. Pierce in 1929 continue to be nurtured by the firm today. His uniquely Lancastrian way of doing business is still the biggest characteristic of Pierce and something we still hold dear which is why we are still incredibly proud to operate under his name.

“Pierce built its reputation on solid foundations and has over the years successfully combined the best of tradition with the dynamics required to meet the challenges of the future.”

“Pierce welcomes and responds to the ever-growing demands of the business world and has a demonstrated commitment to developing its human and technical resources. We very much look forward to the coming years and to growing the firm further.”

Pierce prides itself on a high staff retention rate, with many members of staff being at the firm for in excess of a decade and the firm continues to develop its staff and grow its team. The firm has a strong focus on CSR to give something back to the local community and is currently participating in East Lancashire Hospice’s Corporate Challenge.

Events of 1929

The Wall Street Crash, the most devastating stock market crash in the history of the United States, happened in October. The first Oscars award ceremony took place which lasted just 15 minutes and had 270 people in attendance A pint of milk in the UK cost 13p George V was on the throne and Queen Elizabeth II was just three years old 69 years before the youngest employee Layton Smalley at Pierce was born

Enjoyed this? Read more from Pierce CA Ltd

Latest news

1

New India branch campus on the horizon for Lancaster University Keir Starmer meets Indian PM and included Prof Simon Guy Lancaster University. Pic Simon Dawson

New India branch campus on the horizon for Lancaster University

09 Oct 2025

2

Best events and talented students complete finalists list for Lancashire Tourism Awards 2026 Best Events and Talented students on Lancashire Tourism Awards finalist list

Best events and talented students complete finalists list for Lancashire Tourism Awards 2026

09 Oct 2025

3

East Lancashire Learning Group named UK digital transformation leader in CIO 100 Awards Andrew Dewhurst with the award win

East Lancashire Learning Group named UK digital transformation leader in CIO 100 Awards

09 Oct 2025

4

PHX Training appoints new business leader in Blackpool Jason Davenport PHX Training

PHX Training appoints new business leader in Blackpool

09 Oct 2025

5

Velocity seals Airbus extension worth up to $54m Velocity Composites Has Announced Its Entry Into The Us Market

Velocity seals Airbus extension worth up to $54m

08 Oct 2025

Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course

Preston Campus, Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 17:00

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course

Preston Campus, Preston, PR1 2HE

08:00 - 17:00

Help to grow management course
Help to grow - barriers to growth.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
26 Sep 2025 - 16 Dec 2025

Help to grow management course

Preston Campus , Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 15:00

Advantage: AI – A Workshop for Business Leaders – Oct 10th
Ai 10.10.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
10 Oct 2025 - 10 Oct 2025

Advantage: AI – A Workshop for Business Leaders – Oct 10th

Door4 Office, Burnley Wharf, Burnley, BB11 1JG

09:00 - 12:00

The New Employee Rights Landscape: Day One Compliance Essentials
EventBrite NORi - 15th Oct 2025 Webinar.png.png
LBV Hub Webinar
15 Oct 2025 - 15 Oct 2025

The New Employee Rights Landscape: Day One Compliance Essentials

Microsoft Teams, Microsoft Teams, PR253XH

13:30 - 15:00

Unlocking major project opportunities in the North West
Lancs-cham-logo.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
15 Oct 2025 - 15 Oct 2025

Unlocking major project opportunities in the North West

Strathmore Hotel, Morecambe, LA4 5AP

08:00 - 10:00

The Autumn Re set - pour me a wine
LBV Advert_Autumn Reset 1200 x 630px.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
16 Oct 2025 - 16 Oct 2025

The Autumn Re set - pour me a wine

The Artistry House , Preston , PR1 3JJ

17:30 - 19:30

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire
LBV Header (26).png.png
LBV Hub Networking
16 Oct 2025 - 16 Oct 2025

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire

Stanley House, Blackburn, BB2 7NP

11:30 - 14:15

October Freelancer Meet-Up
LBV Hub Networking
16 Oct 2025 - 16 Oct 2025

October Freelancer Meet-Up

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

10:00 - 11:30

HR Essentials for pubs, bars and licensed venues
EventBrite NORi - 22nd Oct Webinar.png.png
LBV Hub Webinar
22 Oct 2025 - 22 Oct 2025

HR Essentials for pubs, bars and licensed venues

Online - Teams, Leyland, PR253XH

13:30 - 15:00

RISE - Lancashire's unique leadership programme for women
thumbnail_Emma Weston Illustration WENDY BOWERS RISE Illustrstion.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
22 Oct 2025 - 18 Mar 2026

RISE - Lancashire's unique leadership programme for women

East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, Clayton le Moors, BB5 5JR

09:30 - 15:30

Women scaling up Blackpool Fylde and Wyre
LBV Hub Seminars
22 Oct 2025 - 09 Jan 2026

Women scaling up Blackpool Fylde and Wyre

The Small Business Academy, Blackpool, FY4 5JX

09:30 - 15:30

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more LBV124 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin