Sheffield-based Gravitate Accounting has hired ten people in the last six months to support its continued expansion as the firm nears its 200 limited company client milestone.
The business, which offers outsourced Financial Director (FD) and Financial Controller (FC) services, Xero cloud software and digital accounting services, works closely with a range of start-ups, scale-ups, SMEs and large businesses nationwide. Gravitate Accounting works hands-on with all clients, collaborating with them to automate their accounting systems and optimise their tax position.
In the last six months, the firm has made ten hires across the business to bolster its inhouse team. These are client FD Daniel Morris, client FC Adam Betts, client FC Aaron Clarke, digital accountant Stacy Shaw, assistant digital accountant Kallum Dickinson, executive assistant Becci Woolhouse, marketing executive Emily Jane Redfern, office support James Wigfield and digital apprentices Chloe Parker and Niamh Mcauley-Eyre.
Client financial controller Adam Betts is the newest member to join the team, bringing more than seven years of accounting experience, having joined the team from Brown McLeod Chartered Accountants in Sheffield. Betts is AAT qualified and will soon complete his ACCA qualifications.
Adam said: “I’m really excited to be joining the team, it’s a firm which is known for looking after its people and clients really well. The idea of continually disrupting the accountancy sector and staying ahead of the curve with digital accountancy practices really appeals to me. This role will mean I get to work closely with clients to add tangible strategic financial value alongside delivering day-to-day accountancy advice.”
Gravitate Accounting now has nearly 200 clients, spanning multiple sectors and disciplines. Recent new clients include Simoda, Sewell Morris and Fan Cave Memorabilia.
The firm was established in July 2019. Its senior management team, Sam Newton, Mike Crocker, Jonathan Carr, Jessica Swaithe, Charlotte Turner and Daniel Morris, are on a mission to revolutionise and personalise accountancy services via a digital-first approach.
Sam Newton, co-owner said that the key to the firm’s recruitment is being “people first”. He explained: “It’s fantastic to welcome so many brilliant people to the team. They are all great characters who demonstrate our core values and are building relationships with our growing client base.
“As businesses continue to deal with a whole host of legislative, regulatory and tax changes we’re here to cut through the noise and give them advice which helps them to maximise their potential and navigate a complex landscape. Meanwhile, we offer the very best digital accountancy solutions to ensure that they are set for success.
“Alongside our advisory services, we have established a model which revolves around placing Client FDs and FCs in client business. Our clients are finding that having access to experts is enabling them as business leaders to concentrate on the running of their firm while having access to solid strategic financial advice. This has led to a great year of growth for our team and I look forward to what the future holds.”
Sam and the wider team are also focused on creating a supportive community of business leaders in Sheffield and beyond, and have established a Sheffield Business Running Club for like-minded people to network outside of work. A team from Gravitate Accounting will be running the Sheffield half marathon for Paces this year. The firm has also chosen to fundraise and support Sheffield Children’s Hospital charity with various events and initiatives in 2024.
Sam said: “It’s important to have a trusted network of people in your working life, both inside and outside of the company you work for, so bringing like-minded individuals together to keep fit provides a buzz for everyone involved. In Sheffield there are so many people doing great things to instigate change so it’s great to get these individuals together; we’re just delighted to be part of this to elevate all that this city’s business community has to offer.”
The apprenticeship training programme is now fully established, supporting school, college and university leavers to get into the accounting profession. Sam added: “A lot of students are forced down the university route. If I had my time again, I would go down the apprenticeship route and that’s why we are so keen to offer it to the people of Sheffield.”
