A UK accountancy firm has moved into the Scottish market with the acquisition of two “highly respected” players north of the Border.
BK Plus declared its takeover of Glasgow-based Cornerstone Accountants and FourM Accountants in Dundee, which employ nearly 100 staff between them, “solidifies its position as a truly national firm”.
The deals underline the rapid expansion of private equity-backed BK Plus, which has expanded its office footprint to 25 in the last three years.
All staff will remain on board further to the acquisitions, though both firms will be renamed BK Plus.
Chief executive Shaun Knight said: “We are thrilled to be making our first venture into Scotland with the addition of Cornerstone and FourM Accountants. We have always said that local businesses are best served by local advisors who understand the unique dynamics of their markets.
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“By welcoming these two esteemed firms into the BK Plus family, we are strengthening our ability to provide SMEs across Scotland with the same high level of expertise and personal service that we’ve been delivering throughout the UK.
“This expansion is just the beginning, as we have more in the pipeline for the region, reflecting our continued focus on becoming a leading partner for SMEs in the accountancy space, while always keeping the local business at the heart of what we do.”
Kenneth McEwen, partner at Cornerstone, said the firm has become part of BK after an “extensive search for the right partner”. He explained: “We were looking for a firm that shared our approach and core beliefs, and we found that synergy with BK Plus.
“This decision wasn’t made lightly; it was the result of a long process where we prioritised finding the right cultural and strategic fit for our clients and our team. We are excited about what the future holds, confident that this partnership will allow us to continue providing exceptional service while expanding the range of resources and expertise available to our clients.”
Graham McLelland, partner at FourM on Tayside, said: “Becoming part of BK Plus is a fantastic opportunity for our firm. We’ve always prided ourselves on delivering the best possible service to our clients, and now we’ll be able to offer them even more resources and specialist knowledge. BK Plus shares our vision for local service delivery, and we are excited about what the future holds.”
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