The business started life, over a century ago, as a traditional firm of Edinburgh Chartered Accountants, providing the basic compliance services and general advice to a range of clients. The office was based in the city centre until 1988 when the move was made to a modern office with dedicated parking on the west side of Edinburgh and space for around 20 staff.
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Business Accountant Services
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We pride ourselves on providing business owners, with a high quality level of service and advice, so that you’re able to make informed decisions that improve that cashflow management, growth and accounting practice of your business.
Our team of Edinburgh Chartered Accountants devote time towards developing long term client relationships. Proper relationships with our clients is something that we feel strongly about. We believe in regular communications and meeting face to face whenever possible. Furthermore, our team of Edinburgh based accountants are both qualified and experienced in a wide variety of commercial services. Most of all, we are experienced in providing business accountancy services to businesses of all types and sizes. We works for clients from across Scotland and service clients across Scotland form our base in Edinburgh.
We help various business clients including:
Contractors
Self Employed, freelancers and consultants
Small businesses
Large businesses
Family Businesses
Company owners and Directors
Charities and third sector organisations
Our team of Edinburgh Chartered Accountants devote time towards developing long term client relationships. Proper relationships with our clients is something that we feel strongly about. We believe in regular communications and meeting face to face whenever possible. Furthermore, our team of Edinburgh based accountants are both qualified and experienced in a wide variety of commercial services. Most of all, we are experienced in providing business accountancy services to businesses of all types and sizes. We works for clients from across Scotland and service clients across Scotland form our base in Edinburgh.
We help various business clients including:
Contractors
Self Employed, freelancers and consultants
Small businesses
Large businesses
Family Businesses
Company owners and Directors
Charities and third sector organisations
Personal Services
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By investing time in establishing a one-to-one relationship, we’re able to offer you trusted advice that is centred on your own personal need.
Rather than offering a one-size-fits-all approach straight from an accountancy textbook, we provide a wide range of professional services tailored to your own unique circumstances.
And the common thread of those services? They all ensure your long-term financial well-being remains at the heart of our recommendations.
Our team of Edinburgh-based tax accountants and tax advisers take the time to understand your personal situation, before offering you the best possible advice.
We can help you with the following personal accountancy services:
Inheritance Tax Planning
Personal Tax Planning
Tax Investigation
Trusts & Executorships
Self Assessment Tax Returns
Making Tax Digital
Rather than offering a one-size-fits-all approach straight from an accountancy textbook, we provide a wide range of professional services tailored to your own unique circumstances.
And the common thread of those services? They all ensure your long-term financial well-being remains at the heart of our recommendations.
Our team of Edinburgh-based tax accountants and tax advisers take the time to understand your personal situation, before offering you the best possible advice.
We can help you with the following personal accountancy services:
Inheritance Tax Planning
Personal Tax Planning
Tax Investigation
Trusts & Executorships
Self Assessment Tax Returns
Making Tax Digital
Reviews (14)
Mike Stevenson
Jun 14, 2021
I am not a serial reviewer, so it takes something special to prompt me to take to the keyboard. Over a number of years, through thick and thin, through ups and downs Johnston Smillie has been there for me - timely advice, friendly guidance and of course, getting my accounts over the line. Their friendship and patience through difficult times has meant more to me than they could ever imagine.
I am ever grateful for that. Someone asked me recently what I look for in an accountant - it is professionalism of course. But it's more. It's up to the minute insight into the policy environment (their budget briefings are a godsend), it is empathy and understanding, it is those little extra favours we are sometimes forced to ask for and it is a persistently warm and friendly response to all I ask. To other businesses out there, Johnston Smillie delivers on all of these and as a long-term client, I should know.
I am ever grateful for that. Someone asked me recently what I look for in an accountant - it is professionalism of course. But it's more. It's up to the minute insight into the policy environment (their budget briefings are a godsend), it is empathy and understanding, it is those little extra favours we are sometimes forced to ask for and it is a persistently warm and friendly response to all I ask. To other businesses out there, Johnston Smillie delivers on all of these and as a long-term client, I should know.
Nikki Simpson
Apr 16, 2021
Allan Lloyds C.
Feb 26, 2021
We engaged Johnston Smillie in March 2020 at the start of the pandemic and they've supported us though the toughest year we've experienced since starting the company. In addition to our day to day accounting they've managed our JRS claims and helped us with funding applications. Debbie, Kris and the team have had our back throughout; we kept our heads above water and we couldn't have managed it without them. Having an accountant like this supporting your company doesn't just save you time or money, it can keep you in business.
Triona Clarke
Oct 24, 2020
David and the team at Johnston Smillie have been looking after us and our business since 2006. Papilio is a small family run restaurant but running a business is hard, particularly now, and it would be impossible without the help provided by David and his team with Tax, VAT, Year End Accounts, Payroll, Staff Pensions etc., general accounting advice and help with software packages - the list is endless.
I have been blown away by the support provided during the current COVID-19 pandemic, from the very first day of lockdown. The help, guidance, superb Coronavirus regular updates (Lea, David and Ross) and help with payroll (Alison), JRS etc. (Rona), has been second to none. I dread to think what we would have done without David and everyone in the team so thank you for everything you have done to help us. Papilio will be back open full time soon we hope but for now we remain open under Tier 3 restrictions. Kind Regards, Triona and Moussa Clarke - November 2020.
I have been blown away by the support provided during the current COVID-19 pandemic, from the very first day of lockdown. The help, guidance, superb Coronavirus regular updates (Lea, David and Ross) and help with payroll (Alison), JRS etc. (Rona), has been second to none. I dread to think what we would have done without David and everyone in the team so thank you for everything you have done to help us. Papilio will be back open full time soon we hope but for now we remain open under Tier 3 restrictions. Kind Regards, Triona and Moussa Clarke - November 2020.
Joanna Stypczynska
Sep 24, 2020
Triona Clarke
Jun 27, 2020
David at Johnston Smillie has been looking after us and our business since 2006. Papilio is a small family run restaurant but running a business is hard and it would be impossible without the help provided by David and his team with Tax, VAT, Year End Accounts, Payroll, Staff Pensions etc., general accounting advice and help with software packages – the list is endless.
I have been blown away by the support provided during the current COVID-19 pandemic, from the very first day of lockdown. The help, guidance, superb Coronavirus regular updates and help with payroll, JRS etc., has been second to none. I dread to think what we would have done without David and the team so thank you for everything you have done to help us. Papilio will be back open soon we hope.
I have been blown away by the support provided during the current COVID-19 pandemic, from the very first day of lockdown. The help, guidance, superb Coronavirus regular updates and help with payroll, JRS etc., has been second to none. I dread to think what we would have done without David and the team so thank you for everything you have done to help us. Papilio will be back open soon we hope.
Mikill
Apr 11, 2018
When starting my business the accounting and tax side was a little daunting to me. I was referred to Johnson Smillie and I am so happy I contacted them. Having my accounts handled by them gives me so much comfort and it truly feels like I have a full team of experienced professionals supporting me and my company. Any problems or concerns I have are handled immediately and professionally. I strongly recommend the services of Johnston Smillie!
Douglas Mathison
Mar 07, 2018
Johnston Smillie have been my accountants for several years now. They are a team of highly professional, knowledgeable, and helpful people. Regardless of the situation, nothing seems to be too much trouble for them to handle. Competitive fees and a very quick turn around on most areas of work mean that I can relax in the knowledge that everything to do with my limited company is being handled as it should!
Jenny Barr of C A Barr Agricultural Engineers
We are a small business that has been working with Johnston Smillie for over 20 years. Throughout that time, we have always found their team to be friendly and approachable, no matter how unusual our issue. In particular, Anne Melville is very easy to deal with and has been hugely helpful over the years. I have now found myself dealing with Johnston Smillie through two other avenues and have found the same friendly and approachable attitude still applies throughout the wider team.
Michael Rose of Five One Recruitment
I was referred to Johnston Smillie by a family friend when I was starting my own company. The process of opening my own business was stressful at times due to a lot of requirements that I did not understand. Johnston Smillie were absolutely fantastic in not only helping me to understand everything but also making me feel very comfortable in the process. I now know that I have a partner I can trust to keep me right which allows me to get on with business. I strongly recommend the services they have to offer!
Aged Christian Friend Society of Scotland
Johnston Smillie have acted as secretaries and treasurers to our charity since 2009. Johnston Smillie and their team have provided the directors with a friendly and highly professional administration and accountancy service. They have also been very proactive in advising the directors of any matters of relevance to the administration and governance of the organisation. I have no doubt the directors made the right choice in selecting Johnstone Smillie who have assisted enormously in the smooth running of the charity.
Jim Forrest
I have worked with Johnston Smillie for many years now and cannot recommend them highly enough. In fact, I have put a few colleagues in touch with them, who have all thanked me for recommending such a professional yet approachable company. For my own experience I have always found them easy to deal with, prompt in dealing with any issues, in possession of a wealth of broad knowledge and above all, good value for money.
Bossard’s Patisserie Ltd
On the recommendation of our business bank in 2001, we had a meeting with Ross McKay and decided to employ Johnston Smillie as our accountants (after having a bad experience with our previous one). We were so happy to have our book-keeping, payroll, accounts and tax affairs running smoothly and ten years passed very quickly, with the super help of Anne Melville, our dedicated accountant.
In the interim time, we moved away from Edinburgh and opened a business in the West Coast. As we were in a small town, we felt that we should use local accountants. So we sadly left Johnston Smillie and moved our business to the West Coast. To cut a long story short, after four years we felt that the new accountants were not for us, so happily without further ado, we moved back to Anne Melville of Johnston Smillie and she kindly took us back under her wing. We would happily recommend Johnston Smillie to anyone looking for a very helpful and patient accountant.
In the interim time, we moved away from Edinburgh and opened a business in the West Coast. As we were in a small town, we felt that we should use local accountants. So we sadly left Johnston Smillie and moved our business to the West Coast. To cut a long story short, after four years we felt that the new accountants were not for us, so happily without further ado, we moved back to Anne Melville of Johnston Smillie and she kindly took us back under her wing. We would happily recommend Johnston Smillie to anyone looking for a very helpful and patient accountant.
Douglas Mathison
Johnston Smillie have been my accountants for several years now. They are a team of highly professional, knowledgeable, and helpful people. Regardless of the situation, nothing seems to be too much trouble for them to handle. Competitive fees and a very quick turn around on most areas of work mean that I can relax in the knowledge that everything to do with my limited company is being handled as it should!