It feels like we launched just yesterday – but this year, we’re marking 10 years of PKF Smith Cooper Systems!
Since we started in 2014, we’ve been proudly at the forefront of the Sage accounting software market, delivering the solutions you need with the customer service you deserve – a perfect combination.
We think the 10-year mark is the perfect time to take a trip down memory lane, from the day we started, through the developments (both in employee size and office locations), the awards we’ve received along the way, to today!
2014 – The Journey Begins
Those of you who’ve been here since the beginning will know that we spun off from our parent company – and fellow Prospect House tenants – accountancy firm, PKF Smith Cooper. Helmed by Directors, Richard Brewster and Chris Smith, we quickly began to grow what would be an incredibly successful company…
2015 – Early Promise
In 2015 – our first full year of trading – we were named Midlands Sage Partner of The Year! Little did we know that we’d go on to retain this standing for 6 years straight. This was a brilliant start for the newly developed Smith Cooper System Partners.
2016 – The Start of Expansion
In signs of things to come, we were part of a select group of UK-based Sage Partners who were invited to Chicago for the Global Sage Partner Summit. We also began to expand our team, setting up a new Development department, that’s since gone from strength to strength.
2017 – National Expansion Begins
The year of 2017 saw us opening our London office on the Albert Embankment. We also made our first major acquisition, acquiring Reading’s Uniq Systems, their customer base, and 6 new staff members. This was the year that saw a record turnover for the company, in a 50% increase on the previous year.
2018 – The Growth Continues
In 2018, we were in the Top 2 of all Sage partners in the UK for Sage 200. We rode this wave by opening another office in Gateshead, just 30-minutes’ drive from the home of Sage in Newcastle.
2019 – More Awards!
In 2019, we were recognised by two of our major ISV partners: Panintelligence named us the Panintelligence Partner of the Year, and we were given an award from Sicon for being one of the Top 3 Partners. This was also the year we acquired the Sage customer base of Hampshire Business Computers.
2020 – Continuing Success, Despite COVID
Like everyone, we were undoubtedly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. However, despite this we still managed to hit some major milestones in 2020 – a true testament to the dedication of all who worked for Smith Cooper.
From being in the Top 3 Partners for Sicon last year, to becoming Sicon’s Partner of the Year this year, we’ve continued to make great progress.
This year, we were proud to announce that we had become an accredited Sage Intacct Partner. 2020 was also a big year for our branding. We officially rebranded to PKF Smith Cooper Systems, and launched our YouTube channel, as the home for all our Sage Top Tips and webinars. It currently has almost 400 subscribers, and over 50,000 views!
2021 – Three Major Acquisitions
In 2021, we acquired the Sage divisions of Sunderland’s Cellular Solutions, Price Bailey in Cambridge and Sci-Net in Oxford, bringing on 7 new staff members as a result.
2022 – Training Innovation and a New Head Office
In 2022, we launched our ground-breaking Sage Financials Training Course, giving our customers a hands-on introduction to Sage 200. The course is still running successfully to this day – and we’re planning more in 2024, so stay tuned!
This year also saw us achieve 20% year-on-year growth, and a move into our brand-new Head Office inside Prospect House, a modern building in the heart of Derby’s Pride Park.
2023 – Success In All Areas
By 2023, our team increased to over 50 employees across all our offices. This year also saw us create our API offerings, MRGE and WIRE and become the first Sage Partner in the UK to sell SDMO (Sage Manufacturing for Intacct) – a huge achievement! We were also proud to be named Sage’s UKI Customer Success Partner of the Year for 2023 at the Sage’s Partner Summit in Telford, and to be nominated for both Overall Partner of the Year and UK BMS Partner of the Year.
2024 – This year looks to be just as busy, with new events, course launches and, of course, our 10 year anniversary celebrations!
Managing Director Chris Smith said:
“Whilst I was confident that that the original business plan Richard and I created in 2014 was a good one, I don’t think either of us imagined the company would be where we are today. The business has grown from a small local Sage business employing 8 people, to one of the most successful and respected Sage Business partners in the UK, employing 51 people across four offices.
It sounds like a cliche, but the basis of our success has always been, and continues to be, the people we employ and the culture we have built. We have created a brand around our ‘good guys to deal with’ slogan but we also walk the talk and it’s amazing how far you can get by simply “being nice” to your customers, suppliers and staff.
I am amazingly proud of the company and team we have built and am very excited to see what the next ten years brings.”
About PKF Smith Cooper Systems: Founded in 2014, PKF Smith Cooper Systems is a Sage Business Partner, with its Head Office in Derby. They work across the UK, implementing Sage’s business accounting software into companies of all shapes and sizes. The company has consistently been one of the Top 3 Sage 200 partners in the UK for the last 5 years and are currently Sage’s UKI Customer Success Partner of the Year 2023 – recognising excellence in customer acquisition, development, retention and support.
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