PPT Slide
The original Wontner Smith & Co. provided both a stocktaking and accountancy service. When the company acquired the stocktaking firm of George A. Bacon Ltd (from which several of the early partners had originated) the two factions went their separate ways with the accountants keeping the old title.
The stocktaking department had always concentrated its activities on the licensed trade and for the first half of the 20th.Century the role of the gauger was still important and so this title was incorporated in the new name.
With the abolition of Resale Price Maintenance in the 1960’s this made the valuation of Off-Licensed premises less exacting and so the decision was made to direct activities to the On-Licensed trade.
Technological advances have meant that the need for office staff has dwindled and made it possible to ‘take the office to the client’.