The Affinity Group is excited to announce the acquisition of TaxSmart, a local firm that provides tax and accountancy services specifically tailored to both the small business sector and individuals. Previously owned by Adrian Bainton, TaxSmart’s clients will be taken care of within our Vantage Accounting brand. Sam Butler and Sophie Panks are now part of the Vantage Accounting family, and will remain at the newly rebranded Vantage Accounting office in Christchurch, so TaxSmart clients can rest assured knowing their accounts will remain in their trusted accountant’s hands. Paul Ankers, Director of Vantage said, “I am delighted to welcome everyone [...]

The Affinity Group is pleased and proud to announce the acquisition of BBS, a small business accountancy based in Ferndown, Dorset. Previously owned by Robin and Isabelle Coe, BBS clients will now be taken care of within our Vantage Accounting brand. A selection of the BBS staff are also now part of the Vantage Accounting family, having joined us in the Vantage HQ office in Ferndown. So BBS clients can rest assured, knowing that their accounts are staying in the same trusted hands as they were at BBS. Paul Ankers, Director of Vantage said, “I’m excited to work with the [...]

Last year The Affinity team took on the 3-Peaks Challenge and raised over £2,500 for a great cause. This year we set our sights even higher (15,000ft higher to be exact!), and aimed to raise £3,000 for a charity very close to our hearts, Dorset Mind. To achieve this, we doubled the number of people involved and took 12 of our bravest staff members to go skydiving with GoSkyDive. The jump was a soaring success, and every team member managed to not only jump (no pushing was required!), but also raise an incredible amount. Here’s what Ethan Speechley-Price, one of [...]

Here at The Affinity Group we offer apprenticeships to suit almost every department within the company. Whether it’s Digital Marketing L3, AAT Accounting Apprenticeship L2, or Business Administration L2 we’ve got an apprenticeship to suit your passions and future. But we don’t just take on anyone, you have to be driven, focused, and ready to become part of something more than just another company. The Affinity Group is a collection of talented, driven and special professionals who work hard, but also have a really fun time doing so! But why take our word for it, and what’s it really like [...]

The results for The Contracting Awards 2023 have been announced, and we are incredibly proud of all three of our brands that were shortlisted for the finals in this year’s awards. But one in particular out-did the rest, and we are delighted to announce that Aardvark Accounting was the winner of the ‘Best Contractor Accountancy award (1,000 – 2,500 clients’)! Who won what? Here are the categories that our brands were nominated for and the outcomes for each: Aardvark Accounting – Best Contractor Accountancy (1000 – 2500 Clients) [Won] SG Accounting - Best Contractor Accountancy (1000 – 2500 Clients) [Finalist] [...]

We know that our MD, Dan Mepham is the best Managing Director in the south of the UK, but we can now officially say that he is! We’re pleased and proud to announce that he has been awarded the Accounting Managing Director of the Year award 2023 – for the South of the UK. In this blog we ask Dan some questions about what it means to be a successful MD, and what the future looks like for The Affinity Group. What are your top three favourite things about The Affinity Group? My favourite things are: Our People – having [...]

Here at The Affinity Group we strive to not only encourage our colleagues to achieve their professional goals, but also their personal ones. And this September we’re so proud to announce that some of our Affinity Team will be ticking one of their goals off their bucket lists, by tackling the world famous Three Peak’s Challenge! The Challenge On September 3rd we’ll be sending some of our best and brightest to complete the National Three Peaks Challenge in only 24 hours, all in support of Macmillan Cancer Support. Starting off at the base of Ben Nevis in Scotland, then onto [...]

You may have noticed something different about us - we’ve got a new look and name! Formally known as The SG Professional Services Group, we’re now called The Affinity Group, but fear not, we’re still run by the same exceptional team that manages our five brands – SG Accounting, SG Umbrella, Aardvark Accounting, Taxevo and Vantage Accounting. Our focus hasn’t changed, we’re still championing the accounting needs of individuals, small businesses, and the flexible workforce. The story behind our new name We feel that the name ‘Affinity’ perfectly reflects who we are, our beliefs, and the direction we’re moving in [...]

Why do we have the paradox that instead of improving agility and cohesion, ‘enabling’ more flexible working patterns, the opposite can be the case with IT investment? Instead of better information flow, for example, access to relevant data is more complex, while any expected reduction in the operational costs of the business fail to materialise. The implications are increased vulnerability, as well as an impact on effectiveness, an increased difficulty in remaining competitive and being on the same wavelength as their customers. For a report being researched and written by DECISION magazine for HB Tech, companies consider what they need to address if IT is to deliver key objectives. This [...]

SG Professional Services Group has completed on the part acquisition of Christchurch Accountants LLP. A chartered accountancy and business adviser based in Christchurch, Dorset, they pride themselves in 'making complicated numbers make sense', along with a commitment to client satisfaction. Providing a full range of accountancy and bookkeeping services to both businesses and individuals, working with business start-ups, sole traders, freelancers and SME's, to owner-managed businesses, partnerships, and larger international companies, across a range of industry sectors. They ensure your business is fully up to date and compliant in financial matters, and working in the most tax efficient way possible [...]