In the lead-up to Scotland’s independence referendum, Baker Tilly UK has merged with Simpson Forsyth, an Aberdeen-based accountancy firm, in a deal the network said would provide it with "a quality platform from which to grow" in the market.
Speaking to the International Accounting Bulletin, Baker Tilly regional managing partner for Scotland Robert Ross said: "Simpson Forsyth will rebrand to Baker Tilly from 1 October, which is the effective merger date," Ross explained.
He added: "One of the attractions for us was the fact that we didn’t have an office at Baker Tilly, we did have a number of clients in the Aberdeen area, but we’ve been looking to establish ourselves in Aberdeen for a while."
That isn’t to say the merger will not herald changes. Ross continued: "We’ll augment that with some followed investment in broader services than are currently offered by the team there at the moment."
Established in 1990 by Andrew Forsyth, Simpson Forsyth’s three partners and 30 members of staff provide a "wide range" of professional services, according to founding partner Andrew Forsyth. The firm currently has a turnover of £3m ($4.9m).
Describing the Scottish market, Ross said: "Generally I think we’re following on from the UK, I think the economy is getting stronger again to the benefit of Scotland as well."
As for the coming independence vote, he said: "Aberdeen is a business centre of national and international importance, to Scotland and the UK, and it won’t change irrespective of what the vote is in September."
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