Jumpstart in strategic link with law firm

JUMPSTART, the research and development tax credit specialist, is eyeing a step change in business after agreeing a tie-up with one of Scotland's fastest-growing law firms.

The "strategic alliance" with Harper Macleod will give the legal heavyweight's "significant client base" access to Edinburgh-based Jumpstart's range of services. That specialist advice will also be available to a number of networks that Harper Macleod is involved in.

Jumpstart, which was founded just three years ago, has a 31-strong team specialising in presenting "detailed, accurate and compliant" R&D tax credit submissions to HM Revenue & Customs.

Director Brian Williamson said: "In Scotland alone, companies are missing out on some 540m a year in tax credits and our issue is that most clients don't think that they are eligible.

"By forging this valuable alliance with Harper Macleod, we afford the ability for their significant client base to access specialist support through a 'trusted advisor' route."

The tie-up comes hot on the heels of a similar alliance with Peak Peformance, an accountancy and taxation advisory network with some 450 members.

With 45 partners and 260 staff, Harper Macleod is one of Scotland's best-known mid-tier law firms.

In its latest financial year, it posted a 12 per cent rise in turnover to more than 17m.

Paula Skinner, partner in the business advisory department at Harper Macleod, said: "Jumpstart has demonstrated since it was established that it has an offering of significant importance to Scottish business."