Within the accounting profession, there has been a huge trend in recent years of firms being sold to large ‘consolidators’ such as AAB and Azets, many of whom are backed by private equity.
When this happens the experience can be unsettling, for clients and employees alike. As many have found, consolidation does not automatically lead to better results – on the contrary, businesses have often found that they no longer deal with the same partners or staff; the service experience can deteriorate; and career opportunities for staff may diminish or evaporate.
We have made a firm decision to remain independent, rather than following the path that some have chosen.
Where can independent accounting firms have an edge?
By remaining independent, we remain entirely focused on you and your interests, without influence from outside investors who don’t understand your business or the risks and opportunities you are facing.
That means our advice is driven by what works for you, much less so by external targets, profit extraction or standardised service models.
It also allows us to stay flexible, responsive and commercially focused, tailoring our support around your business rather than fitting you into a fixed corporate framework.
It also gives you, our clients, a continuity in relationships and decision making that you won’t find elsewhere.
You deal with the Scholes team that understands your business, not a rotating structure shaped by acquisitions or centralised policies which loses the personal touch.
That consistency gives us better insight into you and your business and thus we can make faster decisions and give advice that reflects the reality of how your business operates.
In practice, it means we can prioritise long term value over short term gains, invest time where it matters most and build relationships that are based on trust, not transactional service delivery.
A note about independence in auditing
Independence matters in audit. An independent auditor can challenge management judgement, test assumptions and report findings without commercial pressure or influence from external owners or cross‑selling priorities. That freedom strengthens the quality of the audit.
Larger firms backed by private equity will still deliver a compliant audit, but their structures inevitably create layers, processes and commercial considerations that shape how they operate. Remaining independent allows us to work with greater agility, responsiveness and focus.
While the final audit report may look the same, the experience of getting there can be different. Our team is stable and consistent year after year, so you’re not continually introducing your people to new faces or rebuilding working relationships. That continuity creates efficiency and trust, which our clients value.
Time to work with an independent accountant?
If you’re ready to work with a Scottish accounting firm with a national and international reach, perhaps we can help.
We remain committed to independent ownership and will always operate with our clients’ best interests in mind.
Speak to our team if you would like to have a no-obligation chat about your current arrangements.
