Manchester accountancy firm celebrates 70th anniversary with record revenues

Manchester accountancy firm KJG LLP has reported record revenues as it celebrates its 70th anniversary.

Fee income has climbed 26% to £4.4m in 2017, with rapid growth in corporate finance, corporate recovery and taxation advisory services and the company is targeting another record year in 2018.

To support its growth, staff numbers at the chartered accountancy and business advisory firm have grown to a record total of 50.

Managing partner Julian Beressi, who celebrates his 25th anniversary with the firm in 2018, said, “I am very fortunate to be able to say that I have enjoyed the past 25 years and am very pleased to see that our five-year growth strategy is being achieved. This success is down to the hard work of the KJG team and the excellent service they deliver to our expanding client base.”

KJG, which today operates out of landmark offices at 1 City Road East in Manchester city centre, was founded in 1948 by Reuben Kay. It continues to serve clients that came on board during its earliest years.

One of these early clients is the Altrincham-headquartered commercial vehicle body, trailer and conversion manufacturer The Cartwright Group.

Lisa Cartwright, group director at The Cartwright Group, said: “Congratulations to all at KJG LLP for reaching the 70-year landmark.

“The Cartwright Group have used the services of KJG since we started trading in 1952. From our small beginnings we have grown dramatically to our current 38 acre site and group turnover in excess of £140 million. KJG have helped us through each stage of this development.”

Another client that has been with KJG since its early years is the £90m turnover household, toiletries and confectionary wholesaler Rayburn Trading.

Michael Goldman, chief executive of Rayburn Trading, said, “Our relationship with KJG goes back to 1959 when Reuben Kay (of the Kay bit) was my late father Benny’s accountant. My father wished to pay £5 for the audit and eventually they settled on five guineas – that’s £5.25 to you youngsters.

“Reuben was a fanatical United fan, following them home and away, and a close friend of Sir Matt, and most of the meeting was taken up discussing the Reds.

“I came in during the latter days of Reuben and have enjoyed a wonderful working and friendship relationship with [KJG partner] Roger Blaskey spanning many years. Rayburn celebrate our 60th birthday this year, which is a big milestone, and all being well I’m sure our relationship with KJG will endure for many years to come.”

In addition to contributing to the growth of the firm’s revenues, in 2017 KJG’s staff and partners raised more than £11,000 for local charities Forever Manchester and Manchester Mind when 16 of the team took part in a skydive, jumping from 11,000 feet.

The team has already begun planning its charitable activities for 2018. These will include the 10km Great Manchester Run and a building abseil.