Accounting Advisory

Office buildings along Colmore Row.

Birmingham and the West Midlands stands out as an accounting and business advisory hotspot in the UK. It is home to some of the biggest global accounting players and hosts a finance ecosystem that continues to generate opportunities.

UK's largest BPFS sector outside London, employing more than 340k people
1,400 accounting graduates in 2021
1st largest UK accountancy cluster outside of London
KPMG logo on offices at Snow Hill. The photo was taken close to the ground, next to tram tracks.

The West Midlands – a powerhouse of professional services

EY, KPMG, Deloitte and PwC all run operations out of the Colmore Business District in the heart of Birmingham. Alongside the Big 4 accountancies, Birmingham is home to a significant number of the UK’s top 50 legal firms, as well as specialist management consulting firms.

Overall, there are approximately 335 partners and over 1000 directors across Deloitte, EY, PwC, Grant Thornton and RSM, covering disciplines including accountancy, tax, and VAT. Specialist sector skills in financial services, automotive, technology, health and energy and utilities are also represented in the area.

Together, they have attracted talented professionals to the area, fostering a network that thrives in the professional services space. Locating here means joining a region geared towards professional services with a proven track record of success.

A considerable market of opportunity

The West Midlands serves as a central hub for the UK and has attracted the presence of companies such as HSBC, National Grid, Severn Trent Water, Aston Martin Lagonda, Homeserve IMI and Meggitt. This high concentration of FTSE 100 and 250 companies has created a considerable market opportunity for professional services firms.

Furthermore, companies from highly-regulated industries such as Cadent, E.ON and the headquarters of HS2 are located here. The depth of these industries has created significant opportunities for firms with risk management and regulatory advisory services.

All this means there is a wealth of opportunity for accountants and accounting advisory providers in Birmingham and the West Midlands, supported by an influx of a highly skilled workforce.

HSBC logo on a building at Arena Central, Birmimgham.

Access to key regional, national and global decision-makers

Not only are big names just down the street (or next door or the next floor up) but local companies can get direct, exclusive access to their expertise. SuperTech brings the BPFS sector closer together through the SuperTech Connector Series, which lets you sit down, one on one, with experienced members from these large, global companies.

Colmore Business District buildings, including the Wesleyan building.

A deep and specialised talent pool

  • More Business, Finance, and Law graduates than any other UK city-region outside the capital
  • Three business schools consistently ranked among the top business schools in the world – Warwick, Birmingham and Aston
  • Leading Law Schools and Accounting & Finance departments at the region’s universities work closely with industry to create courses that prepare graduates for the latest industry and technological trends
  • A working-age population of 2.9 million
A group of people having a business meeting.

An abundance of high-quality office space

The West Midlands is a growing, changing region. Brand new constructions and regenerations constantly develop the face of our cities. There are nearly two million square feet of grade A office space ready to occupy or under development. This includes Paradise, Arena Central, Snowhill and Colmore Row in Birmingham, Friargate in Coventry and Interchange in Wolverhampton.

Our sector expert can talk to you about free office space and locations around the West Midlands where you can kickstart your SME or save money while investing or relocating. Our Soft Landing Support can help ease the transition for international investors.

Chamberlain Square, Paradise Birmingham.

A hub for international work

Over 60% of Birmingham’s professional fee-earning work is delivered for national or global clients, proving it is a viable staging ground for those looking to grab the attention of clients from around the world. As a well-connected region, the West Midlands has the airports, train stations and digital infrastructure for you to connect with clients wherever they may be.

Birmingham Airport.

A growing economy of accounting and advisory opportunities

The economic growth in the region marks it as a standout location in the UK. The West Midlands had the highest growth rate of any British region outside of London over the last ten years (2010–2020). In the last five, Birmingham’s GVA has grown by 13.1%.

There are many opportunities created by economic growth. Our local support can put you in touch with industry leaders and introduce you to this ecosystem of economic excellence. Speak to a member +of our team, to find out exactly what the West Midlands can do to welcome you.

Free support services

We bring together a project team from relevant organisations across the region. This team includes property agents, recruitment consultants, public sector departments and universities. It delivers a comprehensive support package to quickly and easily help you establish and scale your business in the UK.

Chris Lawes, BPFS Business Development Manager
Contact our expert

Chris Lawes

Business, Professional & Financial Services Senior Business Development Manager

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KPMG logo on a building at Snow Hill.

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Entrance to One Chamberlain Square, Paradise Birmingham. The PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) logo is visible on a column.