Johnston Carmichael set for expansion

Published on Sunday 23 March 2008 21:27

JOHNSTON Carmichael, Scotland's largest independent accountancy firm, is about to embark on a major expansion.

Fee income at the Aberdeen-headquartered firm has doubled from just over 10 million in 2003 to 20m in 2007.

Chief executive Sandy Manson said business growth in Edinburgh and Glasgow along with the reach of the firm's financial services arm – which generated 2m in revenue last year – has led to the company being listed as one of Scotland's fastest-growing firms.

Growing from a small base in Aberdeen, Manson predicted that 2008 would be a watershed for the firm. He said: "We have hired a new recruitment team and with ten offices and over 450 people across Scotland, we can offer partner-led services to the owner-managed business sector throughout Scotland."

He added: "Certain types of work, such as public companies, require the reach the 'big four' accountants can offer, but the heart of business in Scotland is the owner-managed business sector." Clients include prestigious Scottish brands such as Walkers Shortbread and the Baxter's Food Group.

Manson added: "We bring proactive advice and strategic thinking tailored to the individual ambitions of the business and that approach generates a strong working relationship with our clients."

Manson, who trained with the now defunct accountancy firm Arthur Andersen in Edinburgh, said he also intended to expand the company's offering in areas such as private client work, consultancy and financial services.

He was the first non-American speaker at one of the world's largest accountancy conference – "Winning is Everything" held in Las Vegas – which, he said, had left him with "food for thought". Manson said: "It was an honour to be the first non-American to speak at this major conference, which had over 400 delegates, and it was a great opportunity to compare notes on progress with some of the leading firms in the world."

Johnston Carmichael has also increased its international capability as one of the European founding members of the Leading Edge Alliance, an association of independently-owned accounting and consulting firms.

Manson said he hoped this international dimension to its business would continue to generate new opportunities.

He added: "Our membership of the Leading Edge Alliance has given us an important international dimension, which enables us to service our clients' international operations."