Our Services

Murray Smith - leading agricultural accountants

In 1922, Richard Hollins Murray, the founding partner of Murray Smith, published his book "Income Tax for Farmers", which brought together nearly a quarter century of experience and knowledge accumulated by the firm's agricultural department.

A reputation for excellence

Murray Smith's reputation for knowledge and excellence within the farming industry has been maintained to the present day, and our specialist agricultural department handles the financial affairs of over two hundred farmers, co-operatives and landed estates. The firm has specialist knowledge in tax planning for farming, and is often called upon to provide expert agricultural taxation assistance to other professionals.

In recent years the team was headed by the renowned farming expert Roy Ramsbottom.  He was a well known writer and lecturer on agricultural taxation and financial matters.  Roy was a founder member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants Farming and Rural Business Group, serving as chairman in 2006.

Farming today

Agriculture is not an easy choice in today's business climate and no-one knows this better than Murray Smith. Over the last few years the farming industry has had to cope with unprecedented difficulties. Uncertain markets and falling prices have caused a decline in income for many. Media hype on GM foods, Foot and Mouth, BSE and other problems, combined with the government's apparent disregard for farming and the countryside in general, have not helped to boost confidence in the industry. For many, these problems are hitting a business that has been part of their family for generations and often includes the family home and heritage.

Our team

The team is led by the partners Colin Johnson and Denise Watkinson.  Both of them come from farming backgrounds and genuinely understand the problems facing farmers today.  They use their many years of expertise, experience and the latest technology to produce practical and effective advice to help agricultural businesses survive and develop.

By employing Murray Smith as your accountants, you can be assured that experts in agricultural and financial matters are advising you. Some of the key issues we deal with everyday on behalf of our clients are:

• Succession planning

   

• Advising on farm diversifications

   

• Taxation of milk quota

   

• Tax planning for barn conversions