Father hands over keys of Aberdeen accountancy firm to son

Ian Mearns, the founder of Aberdeen business accountancy specialist TaxAssist Accountants, has announced plans to hand the reins of the business over to his son, Steven.

Mr Mearns Snr founded the business on the Granite City’s Rosemount Place with the intention of operating in a different way to other accountancy firms.

Steven Mearns, who achieved his membership of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland (ICAS) with KPMG, explained: “While most accountants work in offices we are a bit different because we have a shop front. This allows us to engage with our clients more and we will soon be moving into bigger premises just a few yards down the street.”

TaxAssist Accountants now provides tax and accountancy advice and services to more than 450 individual and small businesses in Aberdeen and the surrounding areas.

Mr Mearns Jnr, until recently a managing director of an international oil service company, said: “We work with such an interesting and diverse group of businesses across the region and the goal would be to hopefully expand and open more shops across the city and Aberdeenshire in years to come.

“Building my own businesses and working in the small-business community has always been my ambition. I am a passionate supporter of small business as the lifeblood of the local community.”

Mr Mearns Snr added: “I’ve loved working with the local business community over the past seven years, but the time is right for me to start the retirement process.

“With Steven’s experience and enthusiasm, I feel very comfortable handing the practice over to him.”