Johnston Smillie

An Edinburgh practice with roots going back 120 years

Chartered accountants and business advisers make up this independent Edinburgh firm, which describes itself as one of the largest of its kind in the city. Its site gives the practice a history of around 120 years and a client base of more than 2,000. The team presents itself as tightly knit, and says clients value finding people who enjoy their work and build lasting relationships with them. The firm rejects the idea of a textbook, one-size-fits-all service and says it tailors its work to each client's circumstances.

Accounts, tax and company administration for businesses

For businesses the firm lists audited accounts, bookkeeping and accounting, business planning, business start-up support, company secretarial work, due diligence, outsourced payroll and VAT returns. It also offers Making Tax Digital software, so that records can be kept in the form the tax authority now expects. The stated aim is that owners can make informed decisions about cash flow management and growth rather than only receiving year-end figures.

Personal tax and family affairs

Individuals are served through self assessment tax returns, personal tax planning, inheritance tax planning, tax investigation support, and work on trusts and executorships. Business advice and personal financial advice sit side by side in the firm's description of itself, which suits owners whose company and personal finances are closely linked.

Specialist knowledge by sector

The firm groups part of its work into specialisms and says it has built a reputation across a broad range of limited company and partnership businesses. The sectors it names are:

• contractors based in Edinburgh
• equestrian businesses
• agriculture and farming
• hotels, restaurants, pubs and catering
• medical practices
• legal and professional firms
• property and construction
• charities and not-for-profit organisations

Its website adds that clients range from agriculture to hospitality and leisure, with many other trades in between.

Who the firm works with

Small, medium and large businesses are all on its client list, together with charities, sole traders and start-ups. It also acts for business owners who are selling their companies and for businesses that are raising finance, two situations in which due diligence and careful accounts matter. Prospective clients are invited to take a short conversation or a free consultation first, with no obligation, to see whether the firm can help.

Giving time to local causes

The firm says it values being part of its community and that its team volunteers and raises funds for local charities and other worthy causes each year. It uses the phrase caring accountants for this side of its work, and says some of the most rewarding experiences for staff come from helping people who are less fortunate.

Johnston Smillie is an independent accountancy and business advisory firm in Edinburgh, staffed by chartered accountants. It serves small and large businesses, charities, sole traders and individuals across Scotland.

What Johnston Smillie does

• Business accounts: audited accounts, bookkeeping, VAT returns and outsourced payroll.
• Business planning: start-up advice, business planning and company secretarial work.
• Personal tax: self assessment returns, personal tax planning and help with tax investigations.
• Estates: inheritance tax planning, trusts and executorships.
• Sector accounts: accounts for farming, hospitality, medical practices, property firms and charities.

Clients

Clients include start-ups, property and construction businesses, charities, business owners selling their companies and businesses raising finance.

Key facts

• Based in: Edinburgh
• Clients: 2000+ clients, as stated on the site
• Qualification: chartered accountants