The firm will join EQ just one month after Douglas Home & Co joined the firm.

Established by David Yates in 1994, Yates & Co has developed a reputation in the central belt, and beyond for their specialist knowledge of the construction, engineering and retail sectors, as well as IR35 Contracts.

The addition of Yates & Co takes EQ’s total number of office locations across Scotland and Northern England to 11. The team now includes a total of 222 members providing a range of accounts, taxation, business advisory and support services.

EQ CEO, Craig Nicol, commented: “We’ve been considered in our growth strategy, carefully selecting firms in key locations that share EQ’s ethos and approach.

“The team at Yates & Co embody unwavering commitment to their people and client service, aligning perfectly with our values and standards. EQ has built a very strong reputation in the East of Scotland and we’re looking forward to building on that reputation and our reach into Central Scotland as our teams become stronger with Yates & Co.”

David Yates, managing director at Yates & Co, added: “With three decades of industry experience, Yates & Co has built an incredibly strong client base and so it was extremely important to us that any potential merger was with a firm that both our own team and our clients can put their trust in.

“We’ve entered this partnership highly enthusiastic about new opportunities, as always offering our clients the best possible service.”

EQ Accountants said the merger will allow the firm to deliver a first-class service to a wider base of SME businesses, broaden the specialisms available to its clients, and build on the investment in its team.