Our Outsourced Finance Services team provides businesses with a flexible, cost-effective solution for managing their financial operations.

Whether helping to support in-house finance departments or taking on the full finance function ourselves, we help businesses improve the efficiency of their operations, have better oversight of their finances, and ensure they’re compliant with the various accounting and tax regulations and deadlines. We tailor our support to meet the needs of each of our clients, and the size of our team means we can flex our service as your business grows.  

Our specialists are based across the UK, so we can support you no matter where you’re based. We’re never more than a phone call away, and our clients also benefit from our local, on-the ground presence throughout the country. Our Inverness team, for example, are proud to work with key businesses in the Highlands & Moray area such as the Inverness & Cromarty Firth Green Freeport and Rothes CoRDe Limited.  

Supporting sustainable growth with Rothes CoRDe  

Rothes CoRDe is a company at the forefront of sustainable energy. Situated in the heart of Scotland’s Malt Whisky country, their biomass plant efficiently converts distillery by-products and sustainable woodchips into electricity, generating enough power for approximately 9,000 homes annually. 

Our partnership with Rothes CoRDe began in 2016, when their finance manager retired. We visited their premises, assessed existing systems, and recommended strategic improvements to modernise their financial operations.

Our first step was implementing cloud-based accounting software, replacing their outdated desktop system. This upgrade enabled greater efficiency, including the integration of Optical Character Recognition technology to automate purchase invoice processing. 

As Rothes CoRDe expanded, we provided further support, introducing enhanced purchase order controls, budget preparation assistance, segregation of duties for payment processing, and more. Today, our collaboration extends beyond Rothes CoRDe, supporting five companies within their group structure, reinforcing our commitment to delivering lasting financial solutions.

Rothes CoRDe Limited has been a client of Johnston Carmichael since 2016. They have always provided an excellent, professional service. This has given us the confidence to expand our engagement across all areas of our finance requirements, utilising the depth and range of expertise that JC offers.

Frank Burns, Managing Director, Rothes CoRDe Ltd 

Driving economic growth with Inverness & Cromarty Firth Green Freeport 

We were proud to be selected as the Outsourced Finance Services provider for Inverness & Cromarty Firth Green Freeport, a transformative project in the Highlands and Islands. As one of the most significant regional initiatives in decades, the Freeport aims to create up to 11,300 new jobs and attract £6.5 billion in investment over the next 25 years. 

When appointed, we recognised the vast scope of work ahead. As a fresh start-up, the Freeport required comprehensive financial setup, including tax registrations, selection of accounting software, and development of internal financial controls. Our expertise allowed us to establish a robust foundation for their financial management.

Beyond day-to-day outsourced finance support, our close collaboration has enabled us to anticipate and address emerging financial needs, such as specialist VAT advice and additional guidance from our Financial Reporting Advisory team. The Freeport passed its first major milestone - the introduction of the Statutory Instrument (a form of legislation) granting tax relief in April 2024, and we remain committed to ensuring smooth financial operations for its continued success. 

Due to the size and nature of the ICF Green Freeport, we required a partner to whom we could outsource our day-to-day financial management. After a competitive process, Johnston Carmichael was successful and has proved to be an excellent partner, providing a reliable and professional service with strong communication established between our teams. We would highly recommend Johnston Carmichael as a trusted financial partner.

Calum MacPherson, Managing Director, Inverness & Cromarty Firth Green Freeport 

A collaborative effort 

As well as all the services you'd expect from an in-house finance department - from bookkeeping to management reporting and attendance at board meetings - we also provide lead finance support such as stepping in to a Finance Director role, as part of our Fractional CFO service.  

At the heart of our Outsourced Finance Services offering is the same ethos that runs through our whole firm – a passion for helping our clients build their success story. We work closely with the wider firm to support clients with any additional requirements, such as R&D tax relief claims or business valuations, ensuring that everything is joined up and working in sync. 

We’re proud to act as trusted advisers to so many businesses that are key to the growth of our local regions across the UK. Wherever you are based, if you’d like to find out more about how we can help, don’t hesitate to get in touch with me at ross.kellett@jcca.co.uk or another member of our Outsourced Finance Services team.