Gilroy & Brookes Accountants features on Telegraph Online's Great British Business promotion Look out for our campaign with Natasha Kaplinsky also featuring our group of companies. In a world of automation, artificial intelligence and bookkeeping apps, is time up for traditional accountants? Gilroy & Brookes Accountants Director, says yes – which is why they have built the company around adding value that smart machines cannot provide.

1. www.gilroyandbrookes.co.uk 01252 320446
BUSINESS PRESS
COVERAGE
Suite 15, The Enterprise Centre
Coxbridge Business Park
Farnham
Surrey
GU10 5EH
Gilroy & Brookes Accountants Limited

2. www.gilroyandbrookes.co.uk 01252 320446
The Business Making Accountants More Human
As technology tightens its grip on the traditional accounting world, one company is
diversifying into ways its trained professionals can offer more than an automated service.
In a world of automation, artificial intelligence and bookkeeping apps, is time up for traditional
accountants?
Gilroy & Brookes Director and SKS Founder, Sanjay
Swarup would say yes – which is why he has built his
company around adding value that smart machines
cannot provide. “There is no doubt that technology is
transforming the world of accounting,” says Mr
Swarup. “As a result, our approach is to offer the best
of technology with a human touch – value-added
business advice. Clients receive a more responsive
finance function at better value. Fees can be 30 per cent
less than a normal accounting firm and more for an
outsource finance function. But it’s not just about the cost; it is about the higher service level.”
Mr Swarup is a chartered accountant, holds an MBA from Cranfield, and was inspired by his seven
years at BP to develop an onshore/offshore service delivery model for UK SMEs and mid-sized
companies. Large corporates have developed back-office functions in low-cost cities and countries,
but this had not been an option for Mr Swarup’s target market of SMEs and mid-sized corporations.
Gilroy & Brookes, based in Farnham, Surrey are grouped with other accounting firms from the South
of England. These firms that form the SKS(Richmond) group include Ledger Sparks (South
London), Ward Mackenzie (Kent), Avalon Accounting (Berkshire) and Benedict Mackenzie
(Insolvency) who operate UK-wide.
With the advancement in technology and high-speed internet, higher quality services with senior UK
based accountants, can be provided more cost-effectively. So, by having a hybrid delivery model of
India and UK combined with state-of-the-art technology use, Gilroy & Brookes is able to deliver
highly effective and cost-effective business advice.
“Too many accountants want to make their advice about the bottom line or small tax savings, but a
sustainable business might be about more than that,” says Mr Swarup. “Our aim is to make business
analysis and business advice a tool for leaders to use to make easier, clearer business decisions. This
can also include, for example, modelling/budgeting and fundraising – with all of which our group
can help.”