Ascendis Group acquires E M Accountancy to expand UK client offering
Cheshire-based professional services firm Ascendis Group acquired E M Accountancy for an undisclosed fee. The move creates a combined organisation with more than 40 staff.
Founded in 2017 by Paul Emmerson and Jayne Mullock, E M Accountancy has a team of four and a national SME client base, with a particular specialism in providing services to opticians’ practices. The firm joins Ascendis Group – founded in 2004, with 40 staff – to sustain its recent rapid growth.
Ascendis is a full-service firm providing audit and accounts, business, tax and private client advisory offerings to its clients. It recently moved its headquarters from The Colony in Wilmslow to Sandfield House in the town centre, increasing its office space from 3,000 to 4,400 square feet to accommodate its expansion. Looking ahead, founder and managing director Richard Fleming is aiming to take the group from £4 million of fee income this financial year to £6 million within three years through continued organic growth and potential acquisitions.
Fleming commented, “E M Accountancy has built a strong reputation for serving healthcare professionals in the optical sector, alongside a diverse portfolio of owner-managed businesses. The firm’s values, culture and approach to client service align closely with our own, making this a natural fit for Ascendis. This acquisition will strengthen our expertise while giving clients access to an even broader range of specialist services.”
He added that Ascendis has a number of potential acquisitions under discussion, alongside its continued focus on organic growth.
For E M Accountancy, meanwhile, the existing arrangements for its clients will remain unchanged. They will continue to benefit from the service and relationships they value – while gaining access to a wider range of services available across Ascendis.
E M Accountancy co-founder Emmerson added, “Joining Ascendis is an exciting step for our business and our clients. We have always been passionate about providing practical advice, responsive support and a personal service. Becoming part of Ascendis allows us to build on those foundations while giving our clients access to additional expertise and resources.”
Deal advisors
Stephen Jarman at Arch.Law advised E M Accountancy on the transaction. Ascendis Group was meanwhile advised on the acquisition by law firm Bermans, with Robin Hastings, a corporate partner at the Manchester office of Bermans, leading that service.
Hastings remarked, “E M Accountancy joining forces with Ascendis is a strong fit, with its expertise in the healthcare sector complementing the range of services already provided by the Ascendis team. The combination, alongside Ascendis Group’s move to larger premises in Wilmslow town centre, will further strengthen its offering to owner-managed businesses and individuals in the area. We have worked with Ascendis for years and, as always, it was a pleasure to help their team with the legal aspects of their latest growth strategy.”
