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 

Meet Andrew Morrison – a Fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants with a wealth of experience in the industry. He honed his skills over seven years of training with a reputable, independent firm of Chartered Accountants in Glasgow City Centre. Andrew then went on to become a manager at a progressive practice in Lanarkshire before deciding to take the leap and establish his own successful practice – MCC Consultants in Giffnock. Building on his success, Andrew forged links with Ammu, where he now serves as a consultant. With his expertise and reputation for excellence, Andrew is a reliable ally for businesses looking to grow and thrive.

Gillian Sweeney 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. Gillinan 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.

Mark Dougan graduated from Strathclyde University with an Masters in Pure & Applied Chemistry then took up an opportunity to start a traineeship in accounting. With only a few exams to go Mark is on track to achieve Chartered Accountant status with ACCA.

Mark has also completed his certifications on FreeAgent, Xero, QuickBooks and applies his knowledge of cloud-based software to support clients with day-to-day bookkeeping, quarterly VAT returns and personal and company annual tax returns.

Mark works with a diverse range of clients across industries including Film & TV productions, construction and commercial cleaning.

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

When he’s not crunching numbers, Mark enjoys exploring the Old Town and outskirts of Edinburgh and also volunteers with community groups and local associations.

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 Corporate and Personal Tax Associate 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

Lucy Handley is ammu’s accounts and advisory manager. Lucy, a qualified Chartered Accountant, helps our clients with their annual financial statements along with their management accounts. Lucy has a wealth of experience drawn from working with a variety of sectors including Construction, Hospitality and Manufacturing with a particular focus on start-up companies and SMEs. 

Lucy has a real passion for helping business owners develop good financial literacy. Having worked as a financial controller and in accountancy practices, Lucy provides a unique understanding and financial perspective for our clients. As a Xero Certified Adviser Lucy helps business owners fully understand the numbers and information in their business to make informed decisions that drive the business forward.  

When Lucy is not at work she likes going out for dinner and trying out new restaurants along with sampling cocktails along the way and simply having a good old blether with friends and family. 

Get in touch with Lucy: email lucy@ammu.uk or call 0141 290 0262 

key expertise and skills  

• Cloud accounting software and implementation (with particular focus on Xero and integrated apps)
• Producing Management accounts to ensure clients have clear financial insight into their business
• Year-end statutory accounts
• Tax compliance not limited to Corporation Tax, Personal Tax and VAT returns

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