Stuart McBain
Director · leads Stuart McBain Ltd
Founder of Stuart McBain Ltd in 2004 and the group's namesake, with more than 25 years advising Merseyside businesses. Stuart has primary responsibility for the Stuart McBain practice.
About
The group behind the names you already know
SMB Accountancy Group Ltd is the Liverpool holding company for a growing family of Merseyside accountancy practices. We exist to give good local firms a permanent home, shared resources and a succession plan, without turning them into branches of somebody else's brand.
Why the group exists
Small accountancy practices are among the most trusted businesses in any town, and among the hardest to pass on. Clients choose them for a person and a name, not a logo, so a conventional sale to a consolidator often costs a practice exactly what made it valuable: lose the local identity and you change the client base.
SMB Accountancy Group was set up to do this differently. We acquire practices, both growing firms with ambition and established firms whose owners are retiring, and operate them as they are: same name, same team, same office, same relationships. We support the existing team without overpowering the culture and values that make clients like the firm. Behind the scenes, the group brings back-office modernisation that lifts the compliance and admin strain, so each own-brand business can flourish as part of the SMB family.
Each firm is stronger individually. Together, we are stronger still, for the better of all staff, clients and every stakeholder.
Who we are
The team behind SMB Group
Three people lead the group, each with hands-on responsibility for its firms. Every decision is made in Liverpool, not by a remote head office.
Michala Carney
Director · leads Goddards & Keith Dodd
Michala brings a modern agility to the group, with primary responsibility for Goddards Accountants in Knowsley and for Keith Dodd Accountants in Southport, the newest member of the group.
Chris Evans
Director · leads Craig Callum
Chris has primary responsibility for Craig Callum Associates, and brings the operational and technology side that lets a group of independent firms share what's worth sharing.
Our firms
- Stuart McBain Ltd (Brunswick Business Park, Liverpool): AAT licensed accountants on Liverpool's waterfront. A team of eight looking after businesses and professionals with accounts, tax, payroll, CIS and R&D support, known for warm, down-to-earth advice.
- Goddards Accountants (Knowsley Village, Merseyside): Forward-thinking accountants in Knowsley for sole traders, directors and construction businesses, led by principal Alan Goddard. Cloud-first and Making Tax Digital ready, without losing the human conversation.
- Craig Callum Associates (Bootle, Liverpool): Accountants and tax advisors for Liverpool's small businesses, sole traders, landlords and contractors, with a corporate finance specialism and ICAEW chartered expertise at the helm. Fixed fees, plain English and proactive tax planning.
- Keith Dodd Accountants (Hillside, Southport): The newest member of the group: a trusted Southport practice led by ACCA qualified principal Keith Dodd, serving sole traders, start-ups and local businesses with accounts, tax, VAT and payroll, built on more than two decades of personal service.
Where next
The group is growing, actively. If you own a practice and want backing to grow, or want to know your clients and staff would be looked after when you step back, we'd like to hear from you.