Baker Tilly has signalled its intention to build up the firm’s presence in Scotland with the announcement of a merger with Aberdeen-based accountants Simpson Forsyth bringing the number of offices in Scotland to five
The merger target, Simpson Forsyth, was set up in 1990 in Aberdeen by Andrew Forsyth and has three partners and 30 staff, and fee income of around £3m a year. It provides business and professional services to a wide range of companies, partnerships and individuals from offices in Queen’s Road, Aberdeen.
Baker Tilly currently has offices in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Grangemouth and Lerwick so the Aberdeen merger will strengthen the firm's geographic reach.
Following its takeover of RSM Tenon last year, in December 2013 Baker Tilly sold off three offices of the Scottish insolvency and restructuring team of RSM Tenon to insolvency specialist FRP Advisory in Edinburgh, Inverness and Aberdeen.
David Gwilliam, Baker Tilly’s chief operating officer said: ‘Aberdeen is a business centre of national and international importance, and this merger signals our intention to play a key role in this market.’
Robert Ross, managing partner for Baker Tilly in Scotland said: ‘We have made no secret of our intention to enter the market in Aberdeen given its importance to Scotland’s economy and the increasing demand for our services in the area.
'Simpson Forsyth is a fantastic firm with great people who are highly respected in the Aberdeen market, and the merger provides us with the perfect platform for further growth. Over the coming year, we will be building resource in the office to strengthen and expand our offering to current and future clients.’
