This month, Best Practice - Accountancy Age's monthly supplement for smaller practices and their clients - meets James Cowper's senior manager, Paddy Thompson.

Thompson's experience has helped James Cowper to surge into the green energy sector. In a case study, Brendan Bilton, Ceramic Fuel Cells' european CEO explains how Paddy Thompson's knowledge of traditional utilities and power generators enabled the firm to get a financial model.

Elsewhere, we look at how to ensure a successful rebranding, how to make sure your clients' businesses run in the family, why it pays to have water-tight contracts for staff and clients, how to give your staff a push to improve their performance and give you tips to get through the ups and downs of securing investment .

And in our advice section, we take on Pure Package, Jennifer Irvine's gourmet food delivery service and much, much more.

Enjoy the July/August issue - and our website.

This month's articles:

Editor’s comment: tough at the top

Profile: Paddy Thompson, senior manager at James Cowper

• Business adviser section:

Ask the experts: healthy outlook for Pure Package

What the experts say: The Pure Package

Q&A: investing time with your clients

Finances: focus on cash not profit

Legal briefing: family planning

People: help your clients take the leap

Financial softwares: thinking outside the box

Non-competes: the art of the covenant

Mentoring: masterful approach

Office space: no-strings rent

Outsider: the entrepreneurial mind with Pete Lunn

Business moneyfacts: Financial comparisons of products for your clients

• Practice manager section:

Insider: survey says

Branding: the power of a brand

Outsourcing: tax efficient

Horror stories: the best laid plans