Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Trusted Chartered Accountants in Ayr & Glasgow
Established in 1948, Stewart Gilmour is a respected independent accounting firm with offices in Ayr and Glasgow. Our expertise spans audit, accountancy, taxation, payroll, and business consultancy, tailored to SMEs including sole traders, partnerships, limited companies, and registered charities. With deep sector knowledge in agriculture, film and media, charitable organisations, and renewable energy, we deliver bespoke financial solutions. Our partners, Ken Livingstone and Sheila Tannock, bring decades of experience from multinational firms and local industries, supported by a team of qualified professionals. We prioritise direct client relationships, combining traditional values with modern technology to enhance efficiency.Our audit procedures for charities ensure full regulatory compliance, while our payroll service adapts to evolving legislation. We specialise in tax planning to minimise liabilities and provide strategic business development advice for growth, consolidation, or exit strategies. Our commitment to innovation is demonstrated through sophisticated IT systems and expansion into emerging sectors. Recognised for excellence since our founding, we maintain strong ties with the Ayrshire business community while serving clients nationally. Our approach combines technical expertise with a personable service, ensuring clients receive coherent financial insights to inform strategic decisions.
Services
Audit Services
Accountancy
Taxation
Payroll
Business Consultancy
VAT Returns
Bookkeeping
Tax Investigation Insurance
Details
- Year established: 1948
Highlights and features
- We have over 75 years of experience serving Scottish businesses since 1948
- Our specialists work in agriculture, film/media, charity and renewable energy sectors
- Direct partner-level contact for all clients with tailored financial solutions
- Award-winning audit procedures specifically designed for charitable organisations
- Pioneers in integrating advanced IT systems with traditional accounting practices
Associations and certifications
- Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland
What people say
Expert sector knowledge
Personalised service
Proactive tax advice
Reliable audit support
Long-term experience
Services
Audit Services
Our audit services provide independent assurance on financial statements, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements. We specialise in charity audits with tailored procedures to meet specific reporting standards. Our experienced team delivers thorough examinations of financial records while maintaining clear communication throughout the audit process.
Taxation
We offer comprehensive tax services including personal and corporate tax returns, VAT management, and strategic tax planning. Our expertise helps clients navigate complex tax regulations while identifying legitimate opportunities to minimise liabilities. We provide ongoing support for PAYE/NIC compliance and tax investigation insurance coverage.
Payroll
Our dedicated payroll department manages all aspects of employee compensation processing. We handle weekly, fortnightly, or monthly payroll runs including year-end reports for HMRC. Our service ensures compliance with changing legislation while saving businesses time and administrative burden through efficient, accurate processing.
Business Consultancy
We provide strategic business development advice for companies at all growth stages. Our consultancy covers business planning, funding strategies, and exit preparations. We combine sector-specific knowledge with financial expertise to help clients make informed decisions about expansion, consolidation, or operational improvements.
Bookkeeping
Our bookkeeping service maintains accurate financial records to support business decision-making. We manage customer sales and supplier information, VAT calculations, and year-end account preparations. The service integrates seamlessly with our payroll offering to provide comprehensive financial management for small businesses across multiple sectors.
People
Ken Livingstone
Partner
Chartered Accountant with 20+ years' experience, specialising in film/media and agricultural sectors. Former Deloitte and Ernst Young tax expert. Developed company IT systems and expanded sector expertise to include renewable energy.
Sheila Tannock
Partner
30+ year veteran with specialist knowledge in agriculture, construction, and healthcare sectors. Qualified Edinburgh University graduate. Built long-standing client relationships and developed audit procedures for charitable organisations.
Questions
What accounting services do you offer for agricultural businesses?
We provide tailored accounting services for agricultural clients including tax planning, farm business reviews, and compliance with rural grant requirements. Our partner Ken Livingstone has specialist expertise in this sector.
Do you offer audit services for charities?
Yes, we have specific audit procedures for charitable organisations ensuring full compliance with regulatory requirements. Our team has extensive experience working with registered charities across Scotland.
How can you help media and film production companies?
We offer specialist tax advice for film and TV production companies, including maximising tax relief opportunities. Our partner Ken Livingstone has built significant expertise in this sector over 15+ years.
What business consultancy services are available?
We provide business strategy advice for growth, expansion, or exit planning. Services include funding strategies, business plan development, and sector-specific financial analysis for companies at all stages.
Do you provide payroll services for small businesses?
Yes, our dedicated payroll department offers cost-effective solutions for businesses of all sizes, handling PAYE/NIC compliance, year-end reports, and adapting to changing legislation.
What tax investigation insurance do you offer?
We provide tax investigation insurance underwritten by Vantage to cover professional fees during HMRC enquiries. This protects businesses against unexpected costs from tax compliance investigations.
