Having originally qualified as a Chartered Accountant and Chartered Tax Adviser with Johnston Carmichael, Annie Fleming returned to the firm in 2024 after spending eight years in industry as a Chief Financial Officer. Now a Business Advisory Director based in our Edinburgh office, Annie works across a range of sectors, with a particular focus on Rural. Here, she tells us more about her career journey and why she made the move back to JC.

When did you return to JC?

I returned to JC in April after spending 8 years in industry as a CFO. I completed my training with the firm in the Audit department and moved into what is now called the Business Advisory team thereafter to work with more owner managed businesses. I remember being torn when leaving the firm but the opportunity at the time was great and I knew it would be good experience for me to try something different. I was lucky enough to be involved in some interesting businesses that covered lots of sectors in my time away and I am really excited to bring some of what I’ve learned back to JC. I wanted to return to working with owner managed businesses again rather than in larger businesses. I enjoy the variety in practice and being able to draw on experience gained from clients in different sectors or markets and using that to benefit other clients. The firm has grown a lot but it still maintains its core ethos and values.

Tell us what you do for businesses.

I like to think I help businesses know and understand their numbers to allow them to make informed decisions about how best to reach their goals. My experience having worked in businesses as well as advising them externally, gives me a great insight into how the business owners are thinking and feeling. Traditional accountants or tax advisers can be known for only being there at the year end and dealing with the compliance work but I can see so much value for both sides in looking to the future of the business and its owners. It’s never too early to talk to your advisers!

What led you to having a particular interest in working with Rural businesses?

I grew up on a farm and am now married to a farmer so it’s a sector I’m familiar with on a deep level. I love the people involved in rural businesses, they all have a story and great passion for what they do.

What do you enjoy most about your role?

I enjoy learning about different clients and their businesses and helping them achieve their goals or overcome their challenges. I think JC truly aims to be a partner to our clients rather than just a ‘supplier’ or arms length service provider and I’m really enjoying building long term relationships with clients. The people at JC are also great to work with. Lots of people who are brilliant at what they do and really supportive of everyone in the team.

What professional learning are you doing at the moment?

I love learning about how technology can be used in various businesses so that’s been a focus just now. Whether it’s using technology to improve processes or aid decision making there are so many use cases that can work across sectors and businesses and I enjoy seeing how things can be applied in real life.

What keeps you busy outside of work?

I am a mum to three girls who have a better social life than me so that keeps me out of too much trouble.

What’s been your best meal ever?

I love food so this is a really hard question to answer. If I have to pick, it probably has to be having the seafood platter at a restaurant on the quay side in Capetown, South Africa. Beautiful food in a beautiful setting with some beautiful wine!

To find out more about how Annie and our team can support you, get in touch via Annie.Fleming@jcca.co.uk.