PKF Smith Cooper celebrates 40th year in business
Midlands-based accounting and advisory firm PKF Smith Cooper is celebrating its 40th anniversary. The milestone comes during a great time of expansion and growth for the firm, and has been marked by a dinner gathering its staff.
James Bagley, managing partner at PKF Smith Cooper, commented, “40 years of PKF Smith Cooper is a remarkable milestone to be celebrating. We are incredibly proud of the tremendous growth the firm has experienced over the past four decades. This anniversary is not just a reflection of the firm’s longevity, but a celebration of the outstanding team whose talent and dedication have shaped the firm into what it is today. I would like to thank everyone at PKF Smith Cooper for their hard work and commitment over the years, and I look forward to the exciting future ahead for the firm.”
With operations in Derby, Nottingham, Birmingham, and Ashbourne, PKF Smith Cooper is the Midlands-based business of PKF, which is one of the world’s largest accounting and advisory networks. Founded in 1985, PKF Smith Cooper has grown from a small local practice operating out of Ashbourne, Buxton, Mansfield, and Burton, to one of the region’s largest accountancy firms, boasting a total of seven offices – with almost 400 staff.
Over the years, one of the core aims of the firm has been to deliver the services that both corporate clients and individuals need. In 1997, PKF Smith Cooper introduced business recovery and insolvency, and corporate finance shortly thereafter in 1999. Over the years, the firm has continued this approach, and now boast a large number of specialist services including capital allowances, R&D tax, and transaction advisory services.
Expanding services
Outside of accountancy, their services also continued to expand into the early 2000s, as the firm began to offer IT support and Sage software support. In 2014, these services grew into the firm’s group companies – PKF Infuse, Everlong Wealth, and PKF Smith Cooper Systems Partners.
With employee numbers rising exponentially over the past decade, PKF Smith Cooper has relocated numerous times, moving to their current headquarters located at the heart of Derby in Pride Park in 2022. Last year, the firm announced its five-year plan, with plans to continue increasing their presence, share of core markets and further service line development.
Looking back on the last 40 years with staff at a special event, Senior Partner David Nelson commented, “As we mark this incredible milestone, our focus remains on the exciting future ahead for the firm. Our commitment to delivering a relationship-led full suite of services to support our client base remains stronger than ever. This wouldn’t be possible without the dedication of our team, the support of our professional connections and of course, our clients, many of whom have been with us since our early days. Thank you all and I look forward to seeing what we accomplish together in the coming years.”
