This week we’re celebrating Johnston Carmichael! Johnston Carmichael is a leading independent UK accountancy and business advisory firm. Originally founded in Moray in 1936, the firm has grown to a UK-wide business of over 950 people.
Our team
We’ve been working with businesses in Inverness for over 30 years, and have a team of 50 people based here.
Our clients work with us because we share their ambitions and challenges, successes and setbacks. As trusted advisers, we have conversations that lead to new ideas and big moves, underpinned by the confidence to make the right decisions.
Across the UK and internationally, our experts, consultants and sector specialists work with every kind of business. We’re a full-service firm, supporting individuals and businesses with everything from accounts, audit, and corporate and personal tax, to corporate finance, payroll, specialist tax, consulting, and outsourced finance services. Our Inverness team has particular expertise in the Rural sector and the Construction & Property industry.
We’re also an independent member firm of Moore Global Network Limited, an international accounting and advisory network.
We prioritise investing in our people and creating an environment where they enjoy working and are supported to develop a fulfilling career. We celebrated nine promotions in our Inverness team last year, including additions to our management team, all of whom trained with Johnston Carmichael through different routes. We’re proud to grow our own leaders within the firm, with managers in the team now who originally joined directly from school via our JC Futures programme.
Community focus
Our people invest in long-term relationships in our communities, because we believe we need to contribute to at least as much as we benefit from our networks. Our local CSR committee organises regular fundraising initiatives, and they’re always great fun for the team as well as raising money for causes close to our hearts.
For a number of years now we have sponsored the UHI Business Competition, and we also participate in the annual Young Enterprise competition, mentoring 5th and 6th year academy students with their business projects. We regularly support local schools through careers fairs and speaking to S5/S6 pupils about careers in accountancy. This year we are also mentoring two high school pupils via the UHI foundation apprenticeship scheme.
Meet Rosalind Catto
I have been with Johnston Carmichael for over 20 years – 16 years this time around, having had a break to work in industry for three years. I am a Business Advisory Partner and head of the Inverness office.
I manage a varied portfolio of clients providing accounting, tax and business advisory services with a view to enhancing value and building relationships as a trusted adviser. Having had experience in industry this allows me to provide commercial and practical business advice to businesses, looking beyond the numbers to focus on helping them achieve their strategic goals.
We’re very proud of the role we play in the Inverness and Highlands business community, working with key local clients and developing a passionate and dedicated team. In 2022 we completed a major refurbishment to our Inverness office, creating a more collaborative working and learning environment both for our people and our clients.
Looking ahead
Next year Johnston Carmichael turns 90, which is a milestone we’re really looking forward to. In summer 2024 we launched a new strategic ambition for Johnston Carmichael, ‘From strength to strength’, which outlines our refreshed purpose, vision, and objectives as we go forward. Our vision is to build success stories that change lives, and we do this by creating enduring impact for our people, our clients, and our communities. That means investing in continual learning opportunities for our people so they can grow a career they’re proud of; continuing to offer our clients a high quality service and embracing innovation across all areas of our business to ensure we stay ahead of the curve; and focusing on how we can make a difference within our communities, whether that’s through local initiatives or nationwide partnerships like our ongoing support of the ICAS Foundation and Netball Scotland.
Chamber connections
The Inverness Chamber of Commerce is a partnership we really value. The Chamber does great work to promote business growth in Inverness and the Highlands, and helps to build a collaborative working environment in the region. The events and introductions the Chamber organise and facilitate open up great networking opportunities to meet business professionals from a wide range of sectors and industries. Developing those strong local relationships and sharing our expertise benefits us all.
Our top tip for making the most of your Chamber membership is to be proactive. Attend the events, meet new people, and build those connections that are readily available to you. Keep in touch with your Chamber Membership Manager so you know what’s on offer – whether that’s contributing to the weekly newsletter, sharing an upcoming event through the Chamber’s social media, or featuring on the website. There’s no shortage of resources and opportunities at your fingertips.