Bolton-based accountancy firm Gorilla Accounting shares their growth journey throughout the pandemic

Bolton-based, accountancy firm, Gorilla Accounting has continued to grow throughout the pandemic, while adapting its service to be delivered remotely. Continuing to support its clients, the business has been further cementing its reputation for excellent customer service. With its headquarters in Bolton and with offices in Manchester and Merseyside, Gorilla Accounting works with a variety of local and national clients across a broad range of sectors.
Having grown to just under 50 staff members, the accountancy firm began in 2015 as a way to deliver technologically-driven accountancy services for the self-employed. Operations Manager at Gorilla Accounting, Richard Hepburn, comments on what they plan to do to help business owners and the self-employed across the UK when it comes to their accounting.

The Gorilla Accounting office in Bolton
Operations Manager at Gorilla Accounting, Richard Hepburn, comments on the challenges of COVID-19 and what the film has done during the pandemic:
“As with all industries, the main factor that has affected the workforce has been COVID-19. As accountants, we have needed to adapt to the changing environment and different government support schemes that have been made available and may be applicable to our clients.
We have IT services and remote working capabilities that can support the accountant team with  our current client base, and phone systems that work remotely too. The full accounting team has been available and working remotely during COVID-19.
During COVID-19, we have continued to support all of our clients as much as possible.  We have advised, supported, and have made submissions on their behalf for the relevant support schemes, such as the Job Retention scheme.”
Throughout the pandemic, Gorilla Accounting has maintained high standards, offering local expertise to service-led individuals, such as contractors, freelancers and locums. In particular, they have seen a strong demand for their buy to let accountancy service – due to the stamp duty holiday, an increase in property purchases and more overall demand in this area.

Richard Hepburn, Operations Manager at Gorilla Accounting
Operations Manager, Richard Hepburn, also shares Gorilla Accounting’s aspirations moving into 2021 and beyond: 
“We aim to continue to grow our client base by offering a better service than our competitors, and ensuring our clients receive the best possible guidance and advice specific to their needs.  We would like to maintain our top-ranked position on Trustpilot as we continue to grow.”
Gorilla Accounting aims to continue to support its clients by advising on any tax updates as and when they happen, such as the new IR35 tax legislation, while ensuring that its team is ready to support its clients remotely whatever 2021 may bring.” 
Hepburn also commented on the importance of delivering a digital service: 
“We have embraced the digitalisation of accounting and our service has developed to incorporate this.  We feel the days of needing a local accountant to pop in and see clients with a file of receipts are over.  We are proud to offer the same great service to all our clients, wherever they are based.
Accounting services continue to move more to digital records and bookkeeping, particularly with the further movement to Making Tax Digital with HMRC. Our technologically-driven service is ready to adapt to this, and we have embraced the movement to digital record-keeping.”