How we support our clients

Our services cover accounts, audit, tax, payroll, bookkeeping, VAT and business advisory but we don’t see these as standalone offerings.

Instead, we deliver them as connected parts of a wider advisory relationship, designed to give businesses clarity, resilience and confidence over the long term.

For smaller and growing businesses, this means accounts that inform tax planning, payroll that links seamlessly to personal tax support, and advice that evolves as the business develops.

For larger and more complex organisations, we are authorised to carry out statutory audits regulated by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland and have acted for significant corporations across Scotland and UK in both compliance and advisory roles.

Our audit approach is rigorous and independent, but also practical operating with your internal teams in mind to minimise disruption and add real value.

Above all, we bring accuracy, insight and perspective helping clients stay compliant, manage risk and make confident decisions about the future.

Rooted in Scotland. Trusted beyond it.

Our origins on a small Scottish island taught us the value of trust, reliability and long‑term relationships and these are values that remain central to how we work today.

Clients come to us for straight‑talking advice, delivered by people who understand their business and speak their language. They stay because that advice is grounded in real expertise and a clear understanding of commercial pressures.

While our roots are firmly Scottish, our outlook is national and international. As members of the MGI network, we work alongside trusted professionals across the world — allowing us to support clients operating across borders without losing the personal, proactive approach that defines us.

It’s a balance we value: dependable relationships, backed by wider perspective and reach.

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Our story

We were founded in the late 1960s as a small practice supporting local businesses and individuals in Orkney.

From the outset, our focus was simple: provide solid, honest advice tailored to each client’s situation. That philosophy has never changed.

When Karen Scholes became Managing Partner following her father’s passing, she reinforced that same client‑first, relationship‑led approach, guiding the firm through its growth while staying true to its independent roots.

From modest beginnings to five regional offices today, Scholes has grown into a firm with the capability and depth expected of a modern professional practice, without sacrificing the personal attention clients value most.

Investing in the future

We invest heavily in our people, recognising that the quality of our advice is shaped by the strength of our team.

Through close links with local colleges and universities, we support and develop the next generation of accountants, ensuring knowledge, values and expertise continue to grow within the firm.

Our people benefit from shared experience, specialist support and clear development pathways,  allowing them to build long‑term careers while delivering high‑quality work for clients.

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Leadership and recognition

Our commitment to the profession is recognised at the highest levels.

In 2025, Karen Scholes served as President of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland (ICAS), a role reflecting professional standing, leadership and contribution to the wider accounting community.

That experience strengthens our perspective and reinforces our commitment to excellence, integrity and the future of the profession.

If you’d like to understand how our approach could support your business or personal circumstances, we’d be pleased to talk.

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