YORKSHIRE accountancy firm Armstrong Watson has launched a new outsourcing service to help clients build virtual finance departments – saving them both time and costs.  

Guy Kerkvliet has been appointed as Head of Outsourcing and will lead the national department.

Armstrong Watson already provides outsourced VAT returns and bookkeeping as well as payroll, accounts management and finance director services but this new service will help larger businesses create a tailored virtual finance department.

Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) will allow clients to focus on what is important to them, whilst they have a team of accountants with relevant expertise in all accounting matters looking after their finance function.  

Guy said: “The ‘Virtual Finance Department’ is an entirely cloud-based, tailored solution unique to each organisation’s needs, allowing business teams access from anywhere and at any time. With access to bespoke digital reports, we believe this will provide business leaders with crucial information to make strategic decisions, quicker and easier than ever before.”

Guy joins Armstrong Watson after three years at French Duncan, in Glasgow, where he was a senior manager in the Outsourced Services Department focusing on hotel accounting.  

He specialises in working on process standardisation, process improvement and automation for businesses and has eight years’ experience working with owner-managed businesses as well as large international companies.  

Guy added: “I’m really excited about joining Armstrong Watson, as I’ll be working closely with various experts in their field to build a full-service concept for our clients. Unhindered by legacy systems this allows us to build a proposition based on best practice and current technological solutions.” 

Paul Dickson, chief executive and managing partner, said: “For many businesses, the pandemic has introduced new ways of working – including the need to make a move to automate some of their processes and outsource areas of their business such as their finance functions.  

“This new service line will ensure our clients have a virtual finance department tailored to their needs, combining the latest technology with the support of experienced accountants, to keep their businesses moving forward and Guy’s experience makes him the perfect fit to lead the team in this area.”