Grant Thornton appoints South of England accounting services lead

Grant Thornton has announced the promotion of David Smith as its new accounting services director in the South of England. 

Based in Reading, Smith will focus on enabling continued growth in the service line while fostering client relationships and expanding the team. 

He brings over five years of experience at the firm, having joined as a manager and was subsequently promoted to senior manager in accounting services. 

Smith, who also holds both the AAT and ACA qualifications, has been credited with successfully growing the local accounting services team in Reading to an 11-person unit, contributing to the national team of 75 professionals.   

Norman Armstrong, practice lead for Grant Thornton in Thames Valley and Southampton, said: “David’s well-deserved promotion underscores his exceptional commitment to our clients and his remarkable leadership skills. With a keen focus on client service and a wealth of expertise in accounting, David is ideally positioned to lead our accounting services team in the South to even greater success.

“David’s dedication to navigating regulatory challenges and his talent for fostering growth within the team will undoubtedly drive us to new heights, facilitating the career development opportunities the firm has become well known for.”

Smith added: “Stepping into the role of accounting services director is both a privilege and an exciting challenge. With our clients all across the UK and encompassing larger international businesses with a UK presence, our focus is not just on providing stellar service but also on staying ahead of the curve amidst ever-changing regulations. 

“We’ve had members transition from various areas of the business, including three individuals from the Audit team. This demonstrates the wealth of opportunities within our firm and the chance for each team member to carve out their own path to success.”