Ashgates

What Ashgates does

Ashgates is a Derby-based accountancy and business advisory firm founded in 1991, providing a comprehensive suite of professional services including accounts preparation, audit and assurance, corporate and personal tax compliance, tax planning, corporate finance, payroll and HR advisory, company secretarial services, and managed IT support. The firm serves a diversified client base — small to medium-sized enterprises, owner-managed businesses, high net worth individuals, British subsidiaries of overseas companies, and a distinctive niche of approximately 60 professional football and rugby players (predominantly non-UK domiciled) playing in top leagues across Europe, America and Asia. The firm explicitly does not service listed businesses, focusing instead on the owner-managed and mid-market segments of the UK economy.

The firm's delivery model is partner-led with experienced management backup, supported by established technology integrations: Xero (Platinum Partner since 2014, with payroll and migration certifications), Sage (Business Partner since the 1990s), ShareFile for secure file exchange, and Virtual Cabinet Portal for document management. A wholly-owned subsidiary, Ashgates IT Limited, delivers managed IT support and cyber security services. The firm operates an ACCA Approved Employer (Platinum) training programme covering ACCA, AAT, ATT and CTA pathways, and holds Great Place to Work certification (2023). In July 2024, Ashgates joined DJH, a Top 50 UK accountancy group, becoming its first East Midlands office and gaining access to expanded capabilities in R&D tax credits, capital allowances, commercial funding, corporate finance, estate planning, HR and cyber security.

Ashgates generates revenue through professional services fees structured around fixed fees, hourly rates and recurring retainer arrangements, with bespoke quote-based pricing tied to client complexity. Its go-to-market is overwhelmingly referral-driven — approximately 90% of new business originates from existing client introductions — reflecting strong client retention across multi-decade relationships. The firm achieved its best-ever twelve months in FY2024 with annual revenue exceeding £7 million, delivered by a team of over 90 staff under six directors.

Name

Ashgates

Legal name

Ashgates Corporate Services Ltd

Website

https://ashgates.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1991

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Ashgates is a Derby-based accountancy and business advisory firm serving SMEs, owner-managed businesses, high net worth individuals, and approximately 60 professional football and rugby players. Established in 1991, the firm now operates as part of the DJH Top 50 UK accountancy group.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Accounting & Advisory Services

NAICS

Portfolio Management and Investment Advice (523940)

SIC

Investment Advice (6282)

akta.pro primary industry

Estate, Gift & Trust Valuation (BPAHANAL)

akta.pro secondary industry

HR Policy, Governance, Compliance & Risk Advisory (BPACAJAF)

Keywords

• Accountancy services
• Audit and assurance
• Tax compliance
• Business advisory
• Payroll and HR

Headquarters

HQ city

Derby

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Professional Services Fees: Fees for accountancy, audit, tax compliance, tax planning, advisory, corporate finance, payroll & HR, company secretarial, and IT services. Revenue model includes fixed fees, hourly rates, and recurring retainer arrangements.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Ashgates is a Derby-based accountancy and advisory practice delivering a full suite of professional services including accounts preparation, bookkeeping, management accounts, VAT services, audit and assurance, corporate and personal tax compliance, tax planning, advisory, company secretarial, corporate finance, and payroll & HR services. The firm also provides specialist accountancy services for professional sports people (particularly non-UK domiciled players) and software implementation/training across Xero and Sage platforms, operating through a partner-led delivery model.

Product overview

Ashgates is an accountancy and business advisory practice offering a comprehensive suite of professional services. The core offering is Ashgates Accounts, which encompasses accounts preparation, bookkeeping, management accounts, software implementation (Xero/Sage), VAT services, audit and assurance, tax compliance (corporate and personal), tax planning, advisory services, company secretarial, corporate finance, payroll & HR, and specialized sports professional services. The practice operates a one-stop-shop model where a key Partner and Manager contact manages all client services, providing cohesive delivery across the service portfolio.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Accounts Preparation Preparation and filing of business accounts for HMRC, Companies House, Charity Commission, and other purposes, ensuring compliance with accounting requirements and filing deadlines.
• Bookkeeping Services Professional bookkeeping services ranging from short-term assistance to long-term outsourcing, including guidance on appropriate accounting systems and in-house training.
• Management Accounts Detailed, regular financial reporting services providing up-to-date information on business financial performance for informed decision-making.
• Software Implementation & Training Accounting software advice, implementation, and training services specialising in Xero (Platinum Partner since 2014) and Sage (Sage Business Partner), including migration and support.
• VAT Services VAT registration and de-registration advice, cash and accruals accounting guidance, VAT return preparation, compliance advice, and partial exemption calculations.
• Audit and Assurance Statutory and non-statutory audit services, assurance reports, grant audits, and systems/process reviews with a focus on adding value beyond compliance.
• Corporate Tax Compliance Company tax return preparation, forms P11d, ATED property returns, employer securities returns, and stamp duty compliance services.
• Personal Tax Compliance Self-assessment tax returns, National Insurance, capital gains tax, and inheritance tax compliance services for individuals.
• Tax Investigation Insurance Insurance service providing peace of mind and professional support during HMRC tax investigations, covering Ashgates' time costs for involvement.
• Tax Planning Tax planning services including remuneration planning for owner-managed businesses, corporate tax and group structure planning, and tax-efficient business structuring.
• Advisory Services Business advisory services covering new business setup, strategic planning, business structuring, and ongoing business advice.
• Company Secretarial Services Registered office services, statutory books maintenance, Companies House filings, and company formation services.
• Corporate Finance Corporate finance services including management buy-outs, business sales, acquisitions, finance raising, business valuations, business planning, due diligence, and corporate restructuring.
• Payroll & HR Services Weekly, fortnightly, and monthly payroll processing, auto-enrolment pension compliance, and HR support including employment contracts, handbooks, policies, and recruitment assistance.
• Sports Professionals Services Specialist accountancy services for professional sports people, particularly non-UK domiciled football and rugby players, offering tax return to full management services.

Quantifiable outcome

• Revenue exceeding £7 million annually (best-ever twelve months)
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• DJHflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2024In July 2024, Ashgates joined forces with DJH, a Top 50 accountancy group with offices across the Midlands, North-West and Yorkshire. The partnership strengthens capabilities and provides clients access to enhanced R&D and Capital Allowance teams, Commercial Funding, Corporate Finance, Estate Planning, HR, and Managed IT Support and Cyber Security Services. The partnership also supports team development through continued investment in learning and development opportunities.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• DJH: Top 50 UK accountancy group that absorbed Ashgates in July 2024. Operates the same mid-market, regional, partner-led accountancy and advisory model across the Midlands, North-West and Yorkshire, with 640+ multidisciplinary staff.
• Crowe UK: UK top-10 accountancy and advisory firm with comparable SME, owner-managed business, and audit focus. Overlaps Ashgates in cloud-accounting advisory, corporate finance, and tax planning for mid-market clients.
• Azets: UK and European accountancy group serving SMEs, owner-managed businesses and individuals with accountancy, tax, payroll and advisory services. Highly comparable service mix and target customer to Ashgates, with a similar regional/multi-office delivery model.
• MHA: Top 20 UK accountancy and advisory firm with a strong regional office network. Competes directly with Ashgates for SME audits, tax compliance, corporate finance, and owner-managed business advisory mandates.
• UHY Hacker Young: UK mid-tier accountancy network serving owner-managed businesses and SMEs with audit, tax, advisory and corporate finance services. Closely comparable in scale, client profile, and partner-led service model.

Broad incumbents

• BDO UK: Major UK accounting and advisory network serving mid-market and larger corporates. Overlaps Ashgates in audit, tax, and corporate finance but operates at materially larger scale and across a broader enterprise client base.
• RSM UK: Top 6 UK accounting and consulting firm with strong mid-market and SME focus. Competes with Ashgates for owner-managed business audits, tax advisory, and corporate finance work, but offers a wider consulting portfolio.
• PKF Smith Cooper: UK mid-tier accountancy firm with audit, tax, corporate finance, and advisory services across the Midlands. Geographic and service-line peer, offering a larger footprint than Ashgates but a comparable mid-market orientation.

Others

• Kreston International: Global network of independent accounting firms. Ashgates is not a member, but Kreston UK members are direct competitors for SME and mid-market accountancy mandates in the UK regional market.
• Friargate (Independent Financial Advice): Independent financial adviser linked from Ashgates' site for IFA services. Reflects the kind of ecosystem partnership Ashgates uses to extend its offering into investment and financial planning for owner-managed and HNW clients.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/Ashgates

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Ashgates