WHO said accountants are a staid bunch?

These corporate finance experts from business advisers Smith & Williamson are proof that times are-a-changing!

Pictured outside the company's office at Town Quay, Southampton, are three members of staff taking part in today's Jeans for Genes Day, a national appeal aiming to raise £2.7m for research into child genetic disorders.

From left to right are tax supervisor Alex Nicholson, corporate finance executive Dave Woods and tax semi-senior Hywel Smith.

They were among 22 or so employees at the office who were encouraged to ditch their usual work wear for jeans in exchange for £1 or more.

Smith & Williamson's charities committee will donate money on top of that raised by staff.

A similar event is being held at the Eastleigh office of design agency White Total Design.

Adam Wilson, a Southampton based director with the company, has just left to join tax advisers CW Fellowes at Chandler's Ford.