Accountancy firm Charlton Baker expands with acquisitions

Accountancy firm Charlton Baker has expanded with the acquisition of two smaller accountancy firms – with alternative finance provider ThinCats backing the firm’s growth plans.

Thincats has provided the funding to support initial purchases of Melksham-based A&N accountancy services, and Innervision Accountancy Solutions in Trowbridge – with commitments to back future acquisitions from the growing pipeline throughout the South West.

The Devizes-headquartered firm provides a range of services including accounting, audit and business tax; bookkeeping and payroll; business and tax advisory; personal tax; wealth, wills and probate; and cryptoassets.

It has also recently added ESG and sustainability, advisory and reporting to its services.

Under the leadership of managing director Scott Sartin, who joined the 40-year-old company in 1996, the firm has grown from a single-office business to having a team of 52 in branches including Bath, Trowbridge, Melksham, and Pewsey.

Scott said: “I’m somebody who loves to build and create things. With ThinCats as our partner, I’m now able to build and create something much bigger than I ever imagined.

“We’re a business on a mission to always lead the way in the accounting world and be the most uniquely brilliant professional services business to work for.

“This new funding partnership marks an exciting new chapter for us, bringing more experts into our culture and offering our services to even more amazing clients across the South West and beyond.”

Ben Kimball, director of business development at ThinCats said: “I’m delighted to be supporting Scott and the expert team at Charlton Baker.

“They have established a distinctive and attractive proposition which has all the ingredients to build on its tremendous success to date. This new partnership means they are well-positioned to capitalize on opportunities in a highly fragmented market.

“Our funding is ideal to support fast-growing businesses pursuing buy-and-build strategies like Charlton Baker, so we are thrilled to be playing our part in their exciting plans for the future.”

Overseeing the integration of the new firms is recently recruited COO Victoria Greenard, who has a wealth of experience in successfully executing buy and build strategies.

Victoria commented: “We are delighted to welcome these fantastic businesses which will help cement our position as a leading firm in the region.

“There are distinct synergies between our firms with great people who not only bring new expertise but will fit the culture we have built here at Charlton Baker.”

Pictured: Charlton Baker was named Larger Small Business of the Year at last year’s FSB South West Small Business Awards. Scott Sartin (left) and Elliot Cargill (right) of Charlton Baker with prize presenter Karl Tucker from the South West LEP