AN accounting firm has been named as the UK finalist for a global competition.

The Firm of the Future competition is a search for the most forward-thinking accounting, bookkeeping, and tax consulting firms.

The UK finalist this year is PJCO, based in Harbour Way, Shoreham.

It is an innovative accounting firm serving 475 small businesses.

Two years ago, the firm invested in a specialist cloud department, recruiting a team of recent graduates.

The team now freely shares its understanding of how technology can be used to solve small business owners’ problems.

Peter Jarman, partner at PJCO, said: ““We’re delighted to be the UK finalist for QuickBooks’ Firm of the Future global competition, which rewards forward-thinking accountancy firms, bookkeepers and tax professionals.

“We’re proud of the accountancy practice we’ve built in the cloud and our ACCA graduate training programme which enables us to better serve our 475 small business clients.

“Business apps and cloud accounting tools are essential to building practices for the future, and we’re proud to have been recognised for our achievements in this area.”

The competition is run by Intuit QuickBooks, an online accounting software provider.

Each year it runs the Firm of the Future – a global search for the most forward-thinking accounting, bookkeeping and tax consulting firms.

Nick Williams, head of UK accountants, Intuit QuickBooks, said: “PJCO is a firm that has inspired us from day one with their commitment to building a cloud-first, forward-thinking practice.

“From their decision to hire graduates to expand their adoption of business apps and cloud accounting, to the work they’ve done to help their small business clients create efficiencies with technology, we’re proud to see PJCO emerge as the UK finalist in QuickBooks’ Firm of the Future competition and wish them the best of luck on the global stage!”

The competition has a grand prize worth more than £100,000 in direct funding and services.

PJCO will now work with QuickBooks with the other four global finalists for the worldwide vote, which begins on October 16.

The public vote will help determine the grand prize winner, who will be unveiled at QuickBooks Connect San Jose on November 5.

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