Funding support provides brand new office for accountants

Bradford-based accountancy firm Smith Butler has moved into its brand-new premises in Otley Road, Baildon, after securing six-figure funding from NatWest.

After outgrowing its previous office space on Mercury Quays, Shipley, Smith Butler has used its funding package from NatWest to purchase the new 5,000 sq ft building, tripling the size of its operations.

The funding has also financed a six-month refurbishment and fit-out of the two-storey space, including an upgrade of the current IT systems to support a paperless and digital future, as well as the construction of meeting rooms, partitions and conference facilities.

Following a successful two years which have seen turnover increase by 25% per annum, Smith Butler has ambitious plans to continue both client and employee growth.

The firm will initially recruit for 10 more team members to help with the continual influx of new clients, with the potential to hire up to 60 additional employees as the business expands over the next five years.

Smith Butler was formed in 2004 by husband and wife Jason Butler and Sally Smith-Butler, who together have over 50 years’ experience in the industry, and currently employ 25 staff.

Now 15 years on, Smith Butler has a track record of providing a full range of services to a wide range of clients all over the UK. Smith Butler is embracing the ongoing digitalisation of the profession and plans are underway to be fully paperless within the next five years.

Jason Butler said: “Our new offices are perfect as we have designed every detail from scratch to meet with the fast-growing needs of our business and clients. We have set everything up to be as digital as possible to deal with the continual digitalisation of the industry and our continued expansion.

“We had reached the physical limitations of the old office so decided it was time to move and, with the help from NatWest, the purchase and fit-out went ahead very smoothly.

“The new space is in an ideal location for both our employees and clients, with plenty of parking and close transport links to both Leeds, Bradford and their wider suburban areas.

“The move has also given us the opportunity to fully upgrade our IT systems. To stay at the top of our game we have moved to a bigger online system, with the ambition to go fully digital and paperless as soon as possible.

“Our clients love the fact that because of the IT innovations we have created at the touch of a button from anywhere in the building we can show them how their business is performing and also provide them with advice and support in an instant.”

Jon Haw, relationship manager at NatWest, said: “I have worked with Jason and Sally for a few years, so I knew how necessary the new, larger premises was to provide the needed additional office space and facilitate their future growth.

“I wish them the best of luck as they settle into their new office space and continue to expand.”