Founded in 1985, PKF Smith Cooper has grown from a small local practice operating out of Ashbourne, Buxton, Mansfield and Burton, to one of the region’s largest and most respected accountancy firms.
It currently has seven offices including their head office in Derby, as well as those in Nottingham, Birmingham and Hereford.
PKF Smith Cooper has a growing team of almost 400.
Outside of accountancy, their services have expanded over the years to offer IT support and Sage software support.
In 2014, these services grew into the firm’s group companies – PKF Infuse, Everlong Wealth, and PKF Smith Cooper Systems Partners - which, over 10 years later, consist of over 100 employees between them.
In 2019, PKF Smith Cooper officially ranked as a UK top 40 accounting firm and two years later, joined the global PKF accounting network and rebranded into the firm we know today.
With employee numbers rising exponentially over the past decade, PKF Smith Cooper has relocated numerous times, moving to their current headquarters located at the heart of Derby in Pride Park in 2022.
The firm has also had significant office moves in its Ashbourne office and, most recently, its Birmingham office, which relocated last year to accommodate ongoing expansion plans.
Last year, the firm announced its five-year plan, with plans to continue increasing their presence, share of core markets and further service line development.
James Bagley, managing partner at PKF Smith Cooper, said: “40 years of PKF Smith Cooper is a remarkable milestone to be celebrating. We are incredibly proud of the tremendous growth the firm has experienced over the past four decades.
“This anniversary is not just a reflection of the firm's longevity, but a celebration of the outstanding team whose talent and dedication have shaped the firm into what it is today.
“I would like to thank everyone at PKF Smith Cooper for their hard work and commitment over the years, and I look forward to the exciting future ahead for the firm.”
David Nelson, senior partner, said: “As we mark this incredible milestone, our focus remains on the exciting future ahead for the firm.
“The next five years promise even greater growth, as we continue to nurture our homegrown talent, invest in our teams to work towards our five-year plan.
“Our commitment to delivering a relationship-led full suite of services to support our client base remains stronger than ever.
“This wouldn’t be possible without the dedication of our team, the support of our professional connections and of course, our clients, many of whom have been with us since our early days.
“Thank you all and I look forward to seeing what we accomplish together in the coming years.”
