EQ Accountants appoints family farm specialist as new partner

EQ Accountants LLP has been appointed Mark Smeaton as a new partner who specialises in agricultural services.

Mr Smeaton, 31, who has a keen involvement in the family farm, is based at EQ’s Forfar office and takes up his new position this week, exactly one year after the firm merged with former Fife firm Carters.

He joined the practice from the local Forfar Academy and undertook his examinations with the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants, qualifying seven years ago.

Over the course of his career, he has fully committed himself to the development of EQ and plays a prominent role in the promotion of the firm’s agricultural services in particular.

Mr Smeaton is also fully accredited with LANTRA to deliver whole farm review services through the Scottish Government’s Farm Business Adviser Accreditation Scheme for Scotland (FBAASS).

He said, “EQ have been very supportive of me during my career and it’s a great privilege to be offered partnership. I work with a great variety of clients throughout the whole of Scotland, some for over 10 years. A close working relationship is key to both the client’s and EQ’s future success. Agriculture is very much a passion of mine and, at EQ, we have a great depth of knowledge of the industry. I’m certainly looking forward to getting stuck into the challenges of being a Partner of EQ.”

EQ partner, Graeme Davidson, added: “Mark is extremely well respected by his clients, colleagues and professional contacts and this promotion is richly deserved. My Partners and I look forward to working with him for many years to come, with our common goal of continuing to provide the best level of support and advice to our clients.”

Mr Smeaton is a married father-of-two, and lives in Letham, Angus.

With offices in Cupar, Dundee, Forfar and Glenrothes, EQ employs over 100 staff, and has 15 Partners.

With plans to grow further and recruit into a range of positions within the months ahead, the merger last year has increased EQ’s turnover from £4 million to over £6.5 million within the first 12 months.