Regional accountancy firm Bishop Fleming, which has an office in Bristol, has chalked up another year of strong growth to lift it further up the rankings in its sector.
Revenues climbed by 5% with fee income exceeding £17.5m for the first time – taking the firm from 38th to 36th position in the UK’s league table of accountancy firms. 
The firm, which has twice been Britain’s fastest-growing accountancy firm in recent years, also increased its number of partners and staff over the year.
It has appointed two new partners, taking its total to 28, and 80 more staff, meaning it now has more than 300 employees – including 29 new trainees.
Among the new appointments was Christine Tuckerman, who joined as a partner in the Bath office from a senior role at Baker Tilly (now RSM) in Bristol.
Caroline Smale, who is also the South West’s Deputy President of the Institution of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales (ICAEW) became compliance partner at the firm, which also has offices in Bath, Exeter, Plymouth, Torquay, Truro and Worcester.
Managing partner Matthew Lee said: “Our annual report is not just about the growth in fees, and staff – we are equally proud of other achievements, including our environmental progress, our contribution to our local communities, and our success in independent awards.”
Bishop Fleming was among the first accountancy firms to set a 5% target for reducing its carbon foot-print every year. In the past year, despite extra staff, it reduced its consumption of gas and electricity by 14%, cut its use of paper by more than 15% and its car-mileage by 4%.
Its staff have also raised more than £30,000 for local charities through such ventures as a 350-mile ‘Tour of Bishop Fleming’ cycle ride, a sailing challenge, and involvement in the first ever Bristol & Bath Marathon. The firm is also a major contributor to Young Enterprise in the South West and West Midlands.
Meanwhile, Bishop Fleming has continued to win external accolades including re-accreditation as a top-tier ‘Investor in Clients’ and was a finalist in the British Accountancy Awards for Mid-Tier Firm of the Year and Top 50 Tax Team of the Year.
