Sectors
Agriculture
We provide the technical financial solutions for modern farming businesses.
Navigating the future of farming with straight-talking technical expertise
At Armstrong Watson, we know that farming isn't just a job - it’s a way of life currently facing its biggest shake-up in a generation. As the largest specialist agricultural accountancy firm in the North, we support over 2,000 farming families across Cumbria, Yorkshire, the North East, and Scotland. With an agri-team of 150 experts—many of whom come from a family farming background—we provide the no-nonsense financial advice you need to keep your business resilient.
From the mart to the farm office, we understand the specific pressures facing pig and broiler producers, agri-supply chain operations, and the dairy, arable, beef, and sheep sectors. We don’t just look at last year’s figures; we provide proactive solutions to ensure your land and your legacy remain viable for the next generation.
We are deeply embedded in the rural community, working closely with the NFU, CLA, and other industry bodies. This ensures our advice on changing tax legislation is always ahead of the curve. We act as your long-term partner, standing by you through the highs and lows of the farming calendar.
Whether you’re weighing up a major machinery investment, navigating a tough season, or planning for your eventual retirement, we provide the clarity and confidence to keep your farm moving forward.
Contact us
Get in touch with the Agri team.
Contact the teamSpecialist expertise from people who know farming
Our expertise isn't just based on books - it’s built on the yard. We pride ourselves on a specialist approach that covers everything from intensive dairy units and large-scale arable operations to upland beef and sheep farms in the Pennines, Lakes, and Borders. We know every farm is unique, with its own history and its own set of challenges.
What sets us apart is our personal connection to the land. Many of our team grew up on farms, meaning we understand the seasonal pressures and the sheer graft required to run a successful holding. This "lived experience" means we speak your language. We combine an authentic understanding of your way of life with the technical tax and accounting authority required to protect your farm for the years to come.

Get in touch
Get in touch to speak to one of our specialist advisers and explore how we can help you.
Find your local office
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What our clients say
We're committed to delivering the best client experience. Hear from those who have worked with us and discover how we've helped them achieve their goals.
We moved our family farming business accounts to Armstrong Watson, with Andrew Robinson and his team who have looked after us ever since. From our perspective, it was a very positive move, and with Andrew’s knowledge and understanding of the agricultural industry on every level, we feel very well supported. Our meetings with Andrew are always constructive and helpful and allow for us to move our business forward.
In any business surrounding yourselves with a strong team of people who understand, have expert knowledge, and can give great advice is crucial, we feel this is now where we are. We would be happy to recommend Andrew and the team at Armstrong Watson.
Trevor
Henry & Susan Dent
Working closely with Glenn has been critical to the profitability of our company because of all the professional advice he has given us. We could not operate our company anywhere as near the efficiency we do with out Glenn's expertise. It is critical for us to have accurate up to date management information and the right up to date advice.
Mark Forster
A.J. Forster & Sons Limited
Since changing accountants three years ago, it all has become much clearer to me what all the facts and figures mean due to the way Nicki Hutchinson is able to explain to a layman in a clear, simple and concise way. She explains all of the technical terms such as opening stock, closing stock, variable costs etc, so I now feel I can attend meetings and for once understand and follow her line of conversation and feel part of it much more easily.
Christopher Thomson
So much of running a business is surrounding yourselves with the right people. Be that for advice, support and professional services. In farming it also really helps if you like those people, especially your accountant, as they are someone you communicate with regularly and have to trust completely. With Nicki Hutchinson we have been incredibly lucky not only to find someone who is professionally at the top of her game, but whose genuine warmth and comprehensive understanding of agriculture makes us feel she's very much part of our team, driving forward our business. Nicki has also been pivotal in succession planning for our business and has shown empathy and foresight, providing common sense solutions and delivering everything on time and as promised. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend Nicki and her team at AW, I feel our business is stronger with her input, her professional knowledge is superb and personally we find her a pleasure to work with.
Clare Wise-Chapman
Farming Partnership
Nicki Hutchinson has worked with me for over 10 years. I have great confidence in Nicki, and the excellent advice she provides. This advice is delivered in plain English with precision and clarity. Nicki is always available and completes tasks within deadlines. Nicki is also always willing to help.
I followed Nicki (metaphorically) when she changed firms and I am pleased whole-heartedly to recommend Nicki.
William Dartmouth
Armstrong Watson have been our accountants and tax advisers for many years. We have an exceptionally good working relationship, so much so that we see them as another arm of our team here at The Lakes. They not only deal with our accounts and tax affairs, they understand our business and the way we run it, which is so important when we talk through problems or opportunities. They have supported us throughout a period of significant growth and it goes without saying that their pro-active approach to business and tax planning has been invaluable. We would not hesitate to recommend them.
The Lakes Free Range Egg Co
We're not a big business but we are certainly made to feel like we are! Jonathan is so easy to talk too and feels like we've known him forever.
J McCleary & Son
I have been a customer of Armstrong Watson for over 30 years and the team have consistently supported and helped my with my business and the decisions that I have made.
David Threlkeld, is enthusiastic and professional when giving advice and has advised me on many aspects associated with my business, such as change in ownership, inheritance tax planning, VAT, buying and selling of Vehicles as well as general tax planning. All this and great value for money. David is always responsive to any questions or enquiries that I may have and gets back to me very quickly, he's also a great pleasure to work with. I would recommend Armstrong Watson and David Threlkeld for anyone seeking an accountant.
Hall Carleton Farm
When Rodger Hill moved to Armstrong Watson we moved too!
We have confidence in Rodger and trust his advice, we have worked with Rodger for years and he has helped us develop our farming partnership.
Armstrong Watson is a forward thinking company offering clients a varied selection of events and informative workshops, we have been using Xero for over a year now and have found the training, help and support excellent. The system is easy to use and we are now ready for Making Tax Digital.
The Woodhouse Family
In an increasingly competitive and complex agricultural world, Jonathan York of Armstrong Watson continues to add value to our business - it's no longer about solid accounting, it's about helping our business navigate choppy waters.
Jonathan Jowett
MD, Northern Trout
We have used Andrew Robinson as our accountant for a number of years and the professional service he gives us is always well thought out and well received. However, Andrew is more than just our accountant, he is a valued member of our “farm team” and as such we rely on his calm, considered advice to help steer our business forward.
Messrs JR Jackson
Changing accountants is always a major decision and one not to be taken lightly. When our accountant announced his retirement in 2013 we were forced to make a move. As a Rural Estate, we were very keen to engage a firm who had both an understanding of and an interest in Agriculture. Peter Molyneux and his team came very highly recommended by our agricultural bank manager at the time. On the initial meeting with Peter, Keith and Andrew, we felt instantly at ease with them. Nostell Estate comprises of 3 farms along with residential and commercial lettings and on a day to day basis we deal predominately with Peter Molyneux or Keith Johnston. As our trust and respect has grown for Peter and Keith, they have become increasingly more involved with major projects, succession planning and general business advice. I now consider them an integral part of my team at Nostell Estate and I would not hesitate to recommend them.
Lord St Oswald
Nostell Estate
Douglas has been pro-active and given me advice on risks to my business. I value the personal contact that I have with the Accountant who is responsible for supervising my preparation of my annual accounts.
Armstrong Watson is obviously a very professional business with a modern approach including regular circulation of its Agricultural publication, but it has also managed to retain its friendly approach.
David Green
I am a Sole Trader supplying the agricultural/landscaping industry and was previously in partnership with my late father and we both were clients of Armstrong Watson. It was always my father's moto to hire the best professional financial and accountancy advice you can get and Armstrong Watson deliver this. I am not from the area and logistically it would be fair to say it may be easier to move to an accountant nearby, but I have been with Armstrong Watson all my business life and I’m confident I will remain a client as they provide such an outstanding service which is second to none.
Most of my dealings are with Douglas Murray, although I also deal with Ross Campbell. I cannot speak highly enough of the entire team as they are all experts in their field and always respond to any enquiry I may have promptly, clearly and concisely. They are all extremely approachable and I have a fantastic professional relationship especially with Douglas, whom I have known and dealt with for many years.
Nothing is ever too much trouble for any member of staff and I always feel at ease when posing questions/queries to them. Overall, they provide me with a first-class service which includes all my accountancy, financial, tax and pension affairs and I have complete faith and trust in the information and service they continue to provide me with. So, if you are looking for a fantastic company lo look after your financial affairs look no further than Armstrong Watson. They will look after you very well.
Janice O'Donnell
Vianian Supplies
Sharon comes to Penrith Auction Mart every month to complete our monthly management accounts. I find her very professional, and she works accurately at all times. Sharon has created a number of bespoke Sage reports on request for Penrith Auction Mart to improve the presentation of figures for internal purposes. We all find her most pleasant in her approach and we are pleased to be able to speak highly of her.
David T Crowden
Chairman, Penrith & District Farmers Mart LLP
Case studies
Client story
Farming family’s acquisition almost doubles size of poultry operation
Client story
A long term relationship pays dividends
Our clients, a farming husband and wife partnership, have been long standing accounting clients of Armstrong Watson.
Client story
Is all Financial Advice the Same?
Whilst it’s important to regularly look at your savings and investments, it’s also vital to take stock of your lending commitments too and the secu
Client story
Agricultural business facing cash flow issues
Client story