Accountancy and payroll firm advances past £60m barrier

A specialist provider of accountancy and payroll services for freelancers, contractors and temporary workers has seen revenues increase 13% to £64.6m.

In the year to March 31, turnover increased from £57.1m in 2015/16 – Cheshire-based Advance’s seventh consecutive year of growth since it was founded in 2010.

Advance managing director Shaun Critchley attributed the growth to strong “broad-based” demand for the company’s various setup solutions.

He said: “These results were achieved in a year that was sandwiched by two major legislation changes affecting contractors and the recruitment agencies that find them work.

“The fact that we continued to grow shows our ability as a business to adapt and thrive in a sector where the only constant seems to be change.”

He said that since March, Advance has performed even better, thanks to a heightened focus among recruitment agencies on compliance as a factor in choosing their supply chain partners.

Crichley added: “A key focus for us between now and March 2018 will be ensuring we are GDPR-compliant ahead of schedule, whilst continuing to provide contractors and recruiters with world-class service.”

Based on the outskirts of Chester, Advance employs nearly 40 members of staff.

The company supports contract and temporary workers operating in sectors including engineering, construction, IT, healthcare and education.