Joanne Gibson

Ms Gibson joins current partners Kevin Crowford, Alister Biggar, Kevin Ferguson, Brona MacDougall and David Clarkson.

JRW is now one of the largest accountancy firms in the south of Scotland, having recently opened its sixth office location in Biggar.

Ms Gibson, who was born and raised in Hawick, studied Accountancy and Finance at Heriot Watt University before joining the firm as a CA Trainee in 2005. Upon completion of her traineeship, she worked as a Chartered Accountant before becoming an associate with the firm five years ago.

JRW’s newest partner now handles a portfolio of around 170 clients, ranging from individuals to limited companies and in a variety of sectors including investment, construction, retail and agriculture.

She is also one of three partners in the firm to have special ‘Responsible Individual’ status, which means that she can conduct audits for a range of clients all over the UK including for an increasing number of grant audits, charity audits and societies.

Ms Gibson said: “After joining JRW straight from university, I am delighted to have now become a full partner in the firm just 15 years later.

“I have benefited greatly from a huge amount of support over the years and the team have given me all the opportunities, training, and encouragement that I could have hoped for to become the experienced accountant that I am today.”

She added: “Of course, this last year has been one of the most difficult that any of us have ever faced and l am proud to have played my own part in helping our many clients to deal with unprecedented challenges during the pandemic. My role as Payroll Manager has grown immeasurably with the introduction of the furlough scheme and the demand for audits across the whole country has grown considerably too.

“Something which I have greatly enjoyed. Also, encouragingly, there has been an influx of new start-ups in the local area and I have helped a number of new businesses, such as sole traders, partnerships and limited companies with their formation this year.

“So, here’s to much better times ahead for everyone and personally, I look forward immensely to the exciting new challenges and responsibilities that my role as Partner with JRW will bring.”