Karen Stacey is our senior bookkeeper and payroll executive. With over a decade of finance experience both in industry and practice. Karen’s diverse industry experience in finance roles and bookkeeping roles spans multiple sectors including a large hardware distribution centre, a gas engineering company, farming, hospitality, construction, engineering, pharmaceuticals, retail, and more. Seven years ago Karen became an AAT-qualified bookkeeper by taking night classes and working full time by day. Today, Karen’s experience and expertise is proving to be invaluable to our clients 

Not only is Karen a bookkeeping and payroll whiz Karen also has a degree in Biological Sciences. 

When Karen is not busy crunching numbers she spends time with her son, goes to the gym and bakes 

Get in touch with Karen: email karen@ammu.uk or call 0141 290 0262  

key expertise and skills   

• AAT qualified  
• Cloud accounting software including Xero, Quickbooks and FreeAgent, BrightPay Payroll 
• Specialising in bookkeeping, VAT returns and Processing payroll for a wide variety of SME’s across a range of sectors 

Gillian Green following the birth of her son decided to return to education and obtained a BA Honours in Accounting and Finance. Since graduating Gillian has worked in an Accountancy practice with a career spanning 15 years. Gillian has enhanced her accounting knowledge across various sectors including the TV & Film Industry, manufacturing, construction, hospitality, and catering to name but a few.

Over the years Gillian has forged strong client relationships, offering support to startups and helping them keep their records straight and up to date digitally with cloud-based software.

Gillian excels in preparing VAT returns, payroll submissions /pension regulations, sole trader and partnership Accounts and Tax Returns, Ltd Company Accountants. Gillian has also helped train clients and upskilling junior team members to work with with a range of accounts software.

Expertise

• Cloud based systems (Xero, QuickBooks, FreeAgent, Sage)
• Iris Accounts Software, Payroll Manager, Sage Payroll, Personal Tax, Corporation Tax
• Liasing and complying with HMRC deadlines

In Gillian’s spare time she loves travelling, walking her dog Buddy along the Ayrshire Coast, camping, listening to music, and socialising. Also, spends time mentoring a young person with MCR Pathways.

Lucy graduated from the University of the West of Scotland with a first-class honours degree in accountancy, and is also a certified Xero advisor.  Lucy is now working towards achieving her CIMA professional qualifications and is already part qualified.

Lucy’s primary role is to support the function of the management accounting department and the R&D tax credit department.

In her spare time Lucy loves to explore the countryside, and beautiful wildlife that Scotland has to offer, making memories with her three daughters.

Key roles and responsibilities 

• provide support to the Management Accounting department in the preparation of real-time management information for key clients
• the preparation and submission Annual Accounts for Limited companies and sole traders
• book-keeping for shops, pharmacies, opticians and manufacturing – with a specialisation in CIS subcontracting for manufacturers.
• works in the R&D Tax Credit department to support clients by attending meetings to gather key information and in the preparation and submission of Corporation Tax Returns, and completion of R&D tax credit applications

Emily Wilson is Ammu’s Director with a first class honours degree in accounting and finance. Emily also attained further qualifications from the Association of Tax Technicians (ATT) and the CTA from Chartered Institute of Tax.  

Emily has a wealth of experience gained working across diverse client portfolios in a range of sectors. Emily enjoys proactively working with clients to give expert advice for their personal, family and business tax planning. 

Emily is committed to helping our clients develop good tax planning literacy and be more in control of their tax planning for the future. Having worked as a tax senior in leading accountancy practices, Emily has a proven track record for dealing with challenging queries and meeting HMRC deadlines.   

Having attained the prestigious CTA qualification Emily has advanced her knowledge of tax to help business owners, company directors and individuals understand their tax matters. Emily helps clients think seriously about personal and business tax planning and consider other areas such as passing on wealth, retirement or selling up.  

When Emily is not at work she spends most of her time keeping fit and socialising with friends and family.  

Get in touch with Emily: email emily@ammu.uk or call 01292 388 031 

key expertise and skills   

• accurately calculate and manage tax compliance obligations and any corporation tax, business tax, capital gains tax, commercial property tax liabilities 
• tax compliance not limited to Corporation Tax an Personal Tax
• advice surrounding the Intermediaries legislation(IR35)
• capital gains tax planning
• residency advice/planning
• pension allowance and taper calculations  
• remuneration planning 
• business restructuring
• succession planning

Francine Fraser is Ammu Accounting’s payroll manager. Francine is responsible for the outsourced payroll services for our clients.

Francine offers valuable support and advice as she is highly experienced in working with cloud-based payroll systems such as BrightPay and Xero.

Francine has experience in Financial Services gained during her time with Standard Life. Having worked in payroll at Aldi’s Head office Francine gained a wealth of experience in a fast-paced environment. Francine now applies her skills and knowledge across our diverse client portfolio.

When Francine is not working, she enjoys running (both training and after her little boy Finn!). Another string to her bow is Francine is a make up artist too. These days Francine is looking forward to spending time on holiday with the family.

Get in touch with Francine: email francine@ammu.uk or call 0141 290 0262

key expertise and skills

• Cloud accounting software including BrightPay and Xero
• Administration and process payroll for a wide variety of SME’s across a range of sectors
• Processing multiple payrolls with different frequencies
• Administering RTI submissions and processing P60s
• Liase with HMRC and manage queries on clients’ behalf

Beth Murrison is ammu’s practice administrator and takes care of the day-to-day running of our Glasgow and Ayr offices. Beth also supports clients when they join ammu for a smooth onboarding process.  Beth continues to take care of the administrative side of ongoing client support alongside her colleagues.  

Beth is married to Simon and when she isn’t in the office, she is busy spending time with the family, walking the puppy, open water swimming, running and training for triathlons.

Get in touch with Beth: email beth@ammu.uk or call 0141 290 0262

Key expertise and skills

• Practice admin
• Onboarding clients
• Data management
• Internal financial management

Russell Young is the firm’s business analyst. Russell also supports clients with bookkeeping, VAT and Corporation Tax Returns. Russell assists established and growing businesses across a diverse range of sectors.

Russell graduated from University of Paisley with a BA in Accounting. Russell’s background as a Financial Controller within the food & beverages industry has honed his skills in accounts payable, budgeting and information management. He provides valuable support to the SMEs we work with.

When Russell isn’t analysing the numbers, he can be found watching football and listening to music. 

Get in touch with Russell: email russell@ammu.uk or call 0141 290 0262 / 07774 594 495

Key expertise and skills

• Bookkeeping in Xero, QuickBooks, Sage and FreeAgent
• VAT and Corporation Tax returns for clients
• Preparing Management Accounts for clients
• Sectors experience across Software & Tech, Hospitality, Consultancy, Dentistry, Architects and Construction.

Heather Shields is ammu’s payroll and tax adviser. Heather manages our outsourced payroll services for small and medium-sized businesses. Heather is highly experienced in working with tax and payroll within accountancy firms and ran her own business too.

Heather offers valuable advice as she is highly experienced in working with cloud accountancy software – since the late 1990s. Heather provides support for Sage, IRIS and cloud-based payroll systems such as BrightPay Payroll and Xero.

Heather’s primary focus is providing ongoing support to our clients. She is experienced in working with directors, sole traders and individuals across a broad spectrum of sectors including hospitality, healthcare and professionals.

When proud grandmother Heather is not working she enjoys listening to music, playing the guitar to her grandson, and weekends away in her caravan. A fun fact about Heather was that she was a member of a band.

Get in touch with Heather: email heather@ammu.uk or call 0141 290 0262

Key expertise and skills

• Cloud accounting software including Sage, IRIS, Xero and BrightPay Payroll.
• Processing payroll for a wide variety of SME’s across a range of sector
• Liasing with the Pensions Regulator for workplace pensions
• Advising clients on current legislations and workplace pensions
• Preparing P11Ds, self-assessment tax returns, including directors, sole traders and individuals who are in the scope of self-assessment
• Liaising with and managing all compliance with HMRC

Stephen is an expert in financial modelling and analysis. Working with clients Stephen adds extra value with strategic planning and implementation through to budgeting and advanced financial management.

Prior to joining ammu (formerly AMAS) Stephen spent over 30 years working in the finance functions of major organisations. Stephen’s focus was providing management information to managers and boards of directors to help them make informed financial choices and improve strategic and day-to-day financial decision-making.

Stephen is an expert in providing accurate and actionable management information, real time variance analysis, financial projections for funding applications or business plans. Stephen works closely with clients to produce accurate and timely management information and future forecasts tailored to their specific requirements.

Stephen supports clients setting up KPIs, other financial indicators and early warning signals that are easy to interpret and act on. Stephen helps to get businesses back on track and fully prepared to take the leap to the next level of growth.

Stephen has significant experience of working with non-financial managers and business owners with limited financial knowledge. Stephen translates their business ideas and plans into clear financial plans, objectives plus sets up systems to measure, monitor and report performance.

Throughout the years, Stephen has worked across a range of industries, but has a particular specialism in working with manufacturing & engineering, transport & logistics and publishing.

Get in touch with Stephen: email stephen@ammu.uk or call 01292 388 031

Key expertise and skills

• Management information, financial analysis and business reporting
• Helping clients to make better and more informed decisions that drive up revenue and maximise profits
• Business and financial strategy, planning and implementation
• Digitisation of finance function and key busines processes
• Financial monitoring & reporting, setting up KPIs, financial controls and procedures
• Cloud accounting, business applications and Making Tax Digital.

Visit our management accounting, digitisation and MI and data analytics pages to find out more

Simon Murrison, a Chartered Accountant, is Ammu Accounting’s founder and Co-Director. Simon works with the owner managed businesses and SMEs and he advises them on all aspects of accountancy, tax and financial management.

Simon has experience in a wide range of sectors and industries including: construction, professional practices and consultancies, financial services, medical and dental, landlords and property investment, as well as private individuals and families.

Simon is a highly trusted adviser with over 20 years of experience working for large and medium sized accountancy firms and running his own successful business Murrison & Wilson since 2013, which merged with AMAS in May 2020.

Simon is incredibly supportive of the business community and shares his expertise in his mentoring role with Enterprise Fellowship Development Board, as a keynote speaker at an annual legal advisers’ conference and as a regular expert on the Business Journey panel in Glasgow.

When Simon isn’t behind his desk, he can be spotted cycling home to his family or training for his next marathon.

Get in touch with Simon: email simon@ammu.uk or call 0141 290 0262

Key expertise and skills

• Year-end accounting, corporation, business and personal tax compliance
• Companies House and annual compliance
• Cloud accounting, bookkeeping, VAT returns and day to day financial management
• Company directors, partnerships and professional consultants.

Visit our accounting matters and tax matters pages to find out more about what we do and how we work with clients

Jamie McLachlan, Ammu’s Manager is a Business Management Accountant, a Certified Xero Adviser and Certified Xero Payroll Adviser. He completed his CIMA Diploma in Management Accounting and is now studying for CIMA Advanced Management Accounting.

Jamie is an expert in financial analysis, budgeting & forecasting, preparing year end accounts, streamlining the finance function, improving controls, procedures also regular financial performance and KPI reporting.

Working with financial directors and owner-managers, Jamie helps them to break down the steps required to digitise their business processes. He also advises on selecting and implementing cloud accounting software and business applications that provide real time management information that fully supports management accounting and profitability and margin analysis.

Jamie is the go-to person for clients for digital support. Jamie identifies the right package of tools and apps every size of business must have to go digital, stay compliant and make informed decisions.

Jamie is also one of our client managers’ – the key contact for answering questions, concerns, and updates, liasing with our team and clients- ensuring clear communication and quick issue resolution of any queries.

When Jamie is not digitising businesses or studying, he is out and about bagging Munroes, or going to the gym. Jamie recently got married and is enjoying settling down to married life.

Get in touch with Jamie: email jamie@ammu.uk or call 01292 388 031

Key expertise and skills

• Management accounting, financial analysis and business reporting
• Budgeting and forecasting
• Year end accounts preparation
• Digitisation of finance function and key busines processes
• Financial monitoring & reporting, setting up KPIs, financial controls and procedures
• Cloud accounting and business applications
• Helping SMEs prepare for Making Tax Digital

Visit our Digitisation hub and our cloud accounting and business application pages to find out more.

Iain Robertson is ammu’s funding, business grants and R&D Tax Credit claims specialist.

Iain works with a range of businesses from manufacturers and engineers, professional consultants, medical and healthcare businesses. Also, early growth stage and established SME businesses looking to scale up.

Iain has over 30 years of experience working with businesses, including 15 years working with Business Gateway. Iain is helping them to find solutions to their issues as well as identifying and securing funding from both private and public sector sources.

He also advises business owners on all aspects of R&D Tax claims from checking eligibility, identifying relevant projects to writing and submitting successful claims.

Iain is ideally positioned to advise early stage and growing businesses on their growth journey. Iain shares his own experience setting up and running his own ICT support and software company.

When Iain isn’t advising clients’, he can be found enjoying a glass or two of wine, painting and drawing (in his words ‘with much enjoyment but mixed success’), and trying to improve his Spanish.

Key expertise and skills

• Detailed knowledge of public sector business support and grants to support business growth and expansion
• Skilled applying for funding packages, with an in-depth knowledge of loan Funds
• Specialism in the Engineering/manufacturing, construction and IT/software development sectors
• Proven track record for successful R&D Tax Credit claims giving cash boosts for SMEs

Visit our R&D Tax Credits and Business funding pages to find out more