HURST Accountants
HURST Accountants is a Stockport-based UK accountancy and business advisory firm offering audit, corporate finance, tax advisory, digital transformation and Employee Ownership Trust services to mid-market owner-managed businesses across the North West. It employs over 100 people and is now part of the Dains Group.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1984
- HeadquartersManchester, United Kingdom
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What HURST Accountants does
HURST Accountants is a UK-based accountancy and business advisory firm headquartered in Stockport with an additional office in Manchester. Founded in 1984, the firm employs more than 100 people and serves owner-managed businesses, family enterprises, internationally mobile clients, lifestyle and leisure operators, manufacturing and engineering companies, TMT businesses, and private equity-backed portfolio companies across the North West of England.
Its core offering is built around five integrated service lines: Audit & Accounts (including statutory audit and Financial Due Diligence), Corporate Finance (M&A advisory, disposals and management buyouts), Tax Advisory (corporate, personal and transaction-related tax plus Employee Ownership Trusts), Digital Transformation (software implementation including Xero integration), and Employee Ownership Trusts. Underlying technology is largely third-party accounting software rather than proprietary platforms, with Xero and partner Tugger providing real-time financial insight capability.
Revenue is generated on a quote-based professional services model, with fees typically structured as project-based or recurring retainers depending on scope and complexity. Distribution is partner-led and direct, with regional coverage from Stockport and Manchester and national reach now available through the Dains Group network of 30 UK and Ireland locations following HURST's 2026 acquisition. The firm holds ICAEW registration (C006671639) and is regulated to carry out audit work and a range of investment business activities.
HURST Accountants firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- HURST Accountants
- Legal name
- Hurst Accountants Limited
- Website
- https://hurst.co.uk
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1984
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- HURST Accountants is a Stockport-based UK accountancy and business advisory firm offering audit, corporate finance, tax advisory, digital transformation and Employee Ownership Trust services to mid-market owner-managed businesses across the North West. It employs over 100 people and is now part of the Dains Group.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
HURST Accountants industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Accounting Services
- NAICS
- Offices of Certified Public Accountants (541211), Management Consulting Services (54161)
- SIC
- Services-Management Consulting Services (8742)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Accounting & Bookkeeping Services (BPAHABAC)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Corporate Development & Strategic Partnerships Advisory (JVs, Alliances, Carve-outs) (BPAHAOAG), Buy-Side M&A Advisory (FSAEAGAB)
Keywords
Where HURST Accountants is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Manchester
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices2 records
Markets served
HURST Accountants business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Professional Services Fees: Revenue generated from providing audit, accounts, tax compliance, tax advisory, corporate finance, and digital transformation services to business clients. Fees are typically project-based or recurring retainer arrangements.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Other | Quote-based professional services |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels5 records
HURST Accountants product offering
Product offeringCore offering
HURST Accountants is a chartered accountancy and business advisory firm delivering audit and accounts preparation, tax compliance and advisory, corporate finance (M&A, disposals, buyouts, financial due diligence), digital transformation consulting, and specialist Employee Ownership Trust advisory services. The firm operates under partner-led engagement with a team of over 100 professionals across Stockport and Manchester, now part of the Dains Group national network.
Product overview
HURST Accountants is an accounting and business advisory firm offering a unified portfolio of professional services. The core offering comprises five integrated service lines: Audit & Accounts, Corporate Finance, Digital Transformation, Employee Ownership Trusts, and Tax Advisory. These services are designed to work together, with the Tax Advisory team supporting both business services and Corporate Finance teams, and Financial Due Diligence acting as a specialized module within Audit & Accounts that supports acquisitions and investments. The firm is part of the Dains Group, a national accountancy practice operating across 30 UK and Ireland locations.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Audit & Accounts Traditional audit and accounts preparation services providing financial statement verification, statutory compliance and accounting support for UK businesses.
- Corporate Finance Advisory services for mergers, acquisitions, disposals, management buyouts and growth funding, including transaction support and deal execution for owner-managed and PE-backed businesses.
- Digital Transformation Technology consulting and digital advisory services that help businesses modernize operations and adopt digital tools, including accounting software implementation and real-time financial insights.
- Employee Ownership Trusts Specialist advisory services for business succession through employee ownership trust structures, guiding owners through EOT setup and ongoing governance.
- Tax Advisory Strategic tax planning and advisory services covering corporate tax, personal tax, inheritance tax, transaction-related tax matters, R&D tax relief and bespoke tax solutions for business owners and high net worth individuals.
- Financial Due Diligence Specialized transaction support service providing detailed examination of target business financial health, risks and valuation assessment to support acquisitions and investments.
Quantifiable outcome
- Advised on multiple M&A transactions including Panicium acquisition of Binghams (food group consolidation)
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use HURST Accountants
Customer profileNamed customers10 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
HURST Accountants technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration2 records
Feature1 record
HURST Accountants partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Five partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- Gorvins SolicitorsminorLegal advisory firm providing legal advice on Wilkinson Cowan Partnership management buyout transactions.
- Browne JacobsonminorLegal advisory firm providing legal advice on PCS Asbestos Consultants sale to Marlowe PLC.
- Dains GroupcoreHURST became part of the Dains Group, a national accountancy firm operating from 30 locations across the UK and Ireland. This provides HURST with national reach while maintaining its regional brand identity.
- PrimeGlobalcoreInternational accounting network association. HURST hosts PrimeGlobal's EMEA Business Leadership conference and participates in global exchange programs for staff development.
- ICAEWcoreInstitute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales - HURST is registered to carry on audit work and regulated for investment business activities. Firm registration number C006671639.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights5 records
HURST Accountants competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- RSM UK: RSM UK is a Top 6 UK audit, tax, and consulting firm focused on mid-market enterprises with significant corporate finance and transaction advisory practices — a direct competitor in HURST's target segments.
- Azets: Azets is a fast-growing UK and Nordics accountancy and advisory group with a strong regional office model, mid-market focus, and broad service portfolio — directly comparable in growth profile and segment to HURST.
- BDO UK: BDO UK is a Top 5 UK accounting and advisory firm with strong audit, tax, corporate finance, and transaction support for owner-managed and PE-backed businesses — comparable service breadth and overlapping mid-market clientele.
- PKF Smith Cooper: PKF Smith Cooper is a UK mid-tier accounting and advisory firm with strong regional presence in the Midlands/North and full-service audit, tax, and corporate finance — similar scale and segment to HURST.
- Saffery (Saffery Champness): Saffery is a UK Top 20 accountancy firm with a partner-led model serving private clients, owner-managed businesses, and funds — comparable mid-tier positioning and reference firm for HURST alumni (Liam Victoros).
- Crowe UK: Crowe UK is a Top 10 UK accounting and advisory firm offering audit, tax, corporate finance, and consulting to mid-market and owner-managed businesses — directly comparable in size, service mix, and target segment to HURST.
- MHA MacIntyre Hudson: MHA is a Top 10 UK accountancy and advisory firm with a regional partnership model serving owner-managed businesses, SMEs, and corporates with audit, tax, and corporate finance services — highly comparable to HURST's positioning and scale.
Regional players
- Duncan & Toplis: Duncan & Toplis is a long-established East Midlands accountancy and advisory firm with strong regional concentration, owner-managed business focus, and corporate finance capability — comparable in regional focus and segment.
Others
- Dains Group: Dains Group is HURST's parent company and a Top 30 UK accountancy firm — relevant as the acquirer/owner and as a same-tier peer for valuation and strategic benchmarking purposes.
Broad incumbents
- Grant Thornton UK: Grant Thornton UK is a Top 5 UK accounting and advisory firm with broad audit, tax, and corporate finance coverage — a larger incumbent competing for the same mid-market and PE-backed mandates HURST targets.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
HURST Accountants social profiles
Digital presenceHURST Accountants compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
HURST Accountants financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
HURST Accountants leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles11 records
HURST Accountants funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
HURST Accountants M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about HURST Accountants
What does HURST Accountants do?
HURST Accountants is a chartered accountancy and business advisory firm delivering audit and accounts preparation, tax compliance and advisory, corporate finance (M&A, disposals, buyouts, financial due diligence), digital transformation consulting, and specialist Employee Ownership Trust advisory services. The firm operates under partner-led engagement with a team of over 100 professionals across Stockport and Manchester, now part of the Dains Group national network.
Is HURST Accountants a public or private company?
HURST Accountants is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was HURST Accountants founded?
HURST Accountants was founded in 1984. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is HURST Accountants based?
HURST Accountants is headquartered in Manchester, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does HURST Accountants make money?
One revenue line is on record: professional Services Fees.
Who are HURST Accountants's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are RSM UK, Azets, BDO UK, PKF Smith Cooper, Saffery (Saffery Champness), Crowe UK and MHA MacIntyre Hudson. Duncan & Toplis is listed as a regional player. Dains Group is listed as an others. Grant Thornton UK is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does HURST Accountants have an API?
No public API is recorded for HURST Accountants.
What industry is HURST Accountants in?
HURST Accountants's product category is Accounting Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAHABAC, Accounting & Bookkeeping Services, with a secondary code of BPAHAOAG, Corporate Development & Strategic Partnerships Advisory (JVs, Alliances, Carve-outs). Its NAICS code is 541211 and its SIC code is 8742.