Sheffield accounting firm expands team and into new Kelham Island office space

Sheffield-based Gravitate Accounting - which specialises in Xero cloud software, digital accounting and outsourced FD services - has hired six people and moved into a new office after a successful first 18 months of trading.
By diana stannard
Published 24th May 2021, 11:27 BST
Updated 24th May 2021, 11:29 BST
The Gravitate Accounting team. Back (L-R) Mike Crocker and Sam Newton. On the sofas (L-R): Claire Conley, Vicki Westwood, Jonathan Carr, Callum Smith, Josh Clarke and Zara Farr.The Gravitate Accounting team. Back (L-R) Mike Crocker and Sam Newton. On the sofas (L-R): Claire Conley, Vicki Westwood, Jonathan Carr, Callum Smith, Josh Clarke and Zara Farr.
The Gravitate Accounting team. Back (L-R) Mike Crocker and Sam Newton. On the sofas (L-R): Claire Conley, Vicki Westwood, Jonathan Carr, Callum Smith, Josh Clarke and Zara Farr.

The firm has moved into a 1,500 sq ft former industrial unit on Burton Road, in Kelham Island, in response to a continued rise in demand for its services.

Co-owners Sam Newton and Mike Crocker established the business in 2019 and have since built up a broad client portfolio of SMEs, scale-ups, start-ups and large-scale businesses.

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They worked together in senior accountancy roles at Shorts Chartered Accountants in Sheffield before founding Gravitate Accounting. The duo set up the business with a vision to offer bespoke accountancy services utilising the latest digital technology.

This approach has seen them work closely with entrepreneurs and business owners, offering financial advice to clients. The firm’s outsourced FD services have been in particular demand, offering strategic financial advice to become the financial arm of the client.

Gravitate Accounting has now hired digital assistant Vicki Westwood and five accountancy specialists; Claire Conley, Zara Farr, Callum Smith, Josh Clarke and Jonathan Carr. The business has plans to hire a further three positions during this year.

Sam and Mike, who are both from Sheffield, are keen to re-invest wider in the regional economy as the business grows. Mike said: “We love working in Sheffield and setting up a business here was important to us. Kelham Island is a lively place with lots of tech firms and so it feels the right fit. There’s a real sense of fulfillment in employing people here in the city and we’re attracting talented staff by offering flexibility and benefits which you just don’t see in accountancy.”

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Sam added: “I’m thrilled to welcome our new team members and announce moving into our fantastic new office space. This is a really pivotal stage in the growth of Gravitate Accounting, taking these steps to expand allows us to continually deliver the very best service for our clients.

“We’re really pleased and humbled by the demand we’ve seen, especially during the pandemic. From the very start, we’ve been clear that our business is built on our values of being bold, kind, achieving results and thoroughly enjoying what we do. We think this translates in our everyday practice, as we’re approachable and offer bespoke packages no matter what size of business we’re supporting.”

Gravitate Accounting is a Gold Xero partner and has a range of integrations available to help clients link all areas of their business to their accounting software, helping them to have real time information to help them make better decisions.

Sam added: “Gravitate Accounting was born in the cloud, which means we’re adaptable and prepared for change. We’re at the forefront of technology and our clients see the huge benefits that technology and automation can bring alongside expert advice.” He added that automation in the accountancy sector needs to be embraced and that the technology currently available “is just the start.”

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The pair, who are both ACCA qualified, bring a wealth of experience to the business alongside their new team members. Newton worked at BPR Heaton Chartered Accountants and KPMG before joining Shorts Chartered Accountants. Crocker, who worked at Shorts Chartered Accountants for seven years, also held the position of Group Financial Accountant at listed firm Eurocell Plc and was the Technical Financial Accountant for Engie UK & NI.

Mike added: “We’re both interested in securing growth for clients and enjoy working directly with like-minded owners, who are serious about automation and want timely management information to make better decisions. In many ways, this is how Gravitate has managed to achieve substantial growth and we are able to apply this same approach to our clients to help them to realise their potential.

“Added to that, as a business which was formed 18 months ago, we have gone through a lot of the ‘growing pains’ that our start-up clients will also experience and so can offer first-hand insight to help them navigate these.”

Gravitate Accounting’s services include outsourced FD, Xero digital switchovers, monthly management accounting, VAT, statutory accounts, payroll and tax compliance. For more information, visit www.gravitate.digital

Related topics:SheffieldSam Newton