Dains Scotland

05/06/2026

Dains Coast to Coast Sunset Challenge 🌇

On 3rd July, Dains Partner Stephen Bargh CA will be taking on one final challenge before his retirement this summer, and it’s a big one!

Joined by Dains colleagues Euan Pope (Accounts Advisory Senior Manager) and Josh Kean (Accounts Advisory Trainee), the team of 3 🚴‍♀️🚴‍♀️🚴‍♀️ experienced cyclists are embarking on the Dains Coast to Coast Sunset Challenge, a ride across Scotland in a single day, all in support of Prostate Cancer UK and Breast Cancer UK.

Setting off at sunrise🌅from Dundee on the east coast, the team will cycle to the west coast, calling in at each of our Dains Scotland offices along the way – first south across the Tay Bridge through Fife to Dunfermline, across the Forth Bridge to Edinburgh, then west to Glasgow, south west to Kilmarnock, before aiming to reach Ayr by the time the sun sets!🌇 An incredible 155 miles in total!!

This challenge is not only a fitting ‘final fundraising hurrah’ for Stephen as he prepares to retire after 43 years with the business, having been a key part of William Duncan + Co before it joined Dains in 2022, but also a fantastic opportunity to raise money for two charities that are close to everyone’s hearts. Few are the families who have not been touched by the cruel hand of cancer.

This is not the first time Stephen and the team have taken on an ambitious fundraising challenge. Previously, they cycled 525 miles from John O'Groats to Ayr over five days, raising thousands of pounds for Chest, Heart & Stroke Scotland.

Stephen said –

“As my retirement approaches, the team and I would love to have your support as we take on my final fundraising challenge. It’s the longest distance in one ride that I will ever have attempted, and your support will certainly help me keep pace with Euan and Josh (who has represented GB in triathlons!!) .

Whether you can donate, share/publicise the challenge, or just cheer the team on along if you see us on the route, every bit of encouragement will be a huge help to this old guy in completing this challenge!”

Please give your support by visiting: https://loom.ly/pwilzAY

04/06/2026

It's always good to see our teams out and about supporting the business communities they work with every day.

Recently, Claire and Carole attended the Dundee & Angus Chamber AGM, while Neil, Kevin and Emma joined members at Ayrshire Chamber's Drive the Future event at The Gailes alongside Arnold Clark Irvine BMW & MINI.

For us, these events are all about conversations, connections and keeping close to the businesses we support across Scotland.

Thanks to everyone involved.

03/06/2026

Temporary VAT relief may create opportunities for hospitality and leisure businesses this summer — but it also brings a number of practical and commercial decisions.

For some, the question will be how best to use the relief. For others, the challenge will be identifying qualifying supplies, updating systems and implementing changes within a tight timeframe.

Our Indirect Tax Partner, Ian Brown, explores what the temporary 5% VAT rate could mean for businesses, including some of the opportunities and considerations operators should be reviewing now.

Learn more:

The Government’s temporary 5% VAT rate on children’s meals and family attractions creates opportunities and challenges for hospitality and leisure businesses.

02/06/2026

We’re delighted to see our colleagues at Consilium officially transition to the Dains brand today.

Over many years, the team has built a strong reputation across the Scottish market through trusted relationships, expert advice and a commitment to helping clients succeed.

This marks another important step in strengthening the Dains Scotland offering, bringing together teams across Glasgow, the East and the West to create an even more connected business.

Having worked closely together over the past year, this transition reflects the journey we've already been on and the strong foundations that have been built across our teams. Together, we're excited to continue supporting clients across Scotland as one connected Dains team.

For those we support, it means continued access to the people and relationships they know and trust, backed by broader expertise and the wider capabilities of the Dains Group.

Congratulations to the entire team on this important milestone.

Read more here:
https://loom.ly/VRy3TfE

29/05/2026

A brilliant day at Turnberry earlier this week with clients, contacts and friends on the King Robert the Bruce course.

Steven Wright was delighted to host the day, with fantastic weather, great company and excellent hospitality from Trump Turnberry making it one to remember.

A huge thank you to everyone who joined us and helped make the day such a success.

Congratulations to our winning team of David, Conrad, Patrick and Chris Brophy. Special congratulations also to Patrick for winning Longest Drive and Alex for Closest to the Pin.

A special mention as well to Steven, Rob and Scott, who were picked out by Steven and Ellys as standout performers on the day.

Judging by some of the action shots, it looks like we may also have a talented photographer in the team. 📸⛳

28/05/2026

We’re pleased to share that Laura Nicoll, Accounting & Business Advisory Director at Dains, has been appointed to the Board of the
Association of Independent Specialist Medical Accountants (AISMA).

Laura supports GP practices, consultants, locums, dentists and healthcare providers across Scotland, helping clients navigate the financial and operational challenges facing the healthcare sector.

Her appointment reflects both her experience within healthcare advisory and Dains’ continued commitment to supporting healthcare professionals across Scotland.

Read more about Laura’s appointment, the role AISMA plays in supporting the healthcare sector, and the challenges currently facing healthcare professionals across Scotland: https://loom.ly/YClp8j0

27/05/2026

Most businesses don’t realise they’ve outgrown their accountant until frustration starts to feel normal.

Slow responses.
Reactive advice.
Conversations that never move beyond compliance and deadlines.

As businesses grow, the questions become more strategic:

🔹Are we structured correctly?
🔹Are we planning ahead properly?
🔹Are we as tax efficient as we could be?
🔹What risks or opportunities are coming next?

If your accountant only appears at year-end, rarely talks about the future, or never really feels like part of the journey, it may be time to review the support around your business.

In our latest insight, we explore five signs you may have outgrown your accountant, and what proactive support should actually look like as your business evolves.

👉 Read the full article below: https://loom.ly/pm4-noI

14/05/2026

Many growing businesses still use their accounts to report the past.

The challenge is, most business decisions happen in real time.

The businesses gaining an edge are the ones using live financial insight to stay closer to cash flow, margins and performance, giving leadership teams greater clarity and confidence as they grow.

For owner-managed businesses across Scotland, accounting should do more than keep you compliant. It should help you make better decisions.

As Xero’s National Partner of the Year, we see first-hand how the right combination of digital tools and proactive advice can help businesses move faster and plan with confidence.

We’ve explored this further in our latest insight piece below.

https://loom.ly/zCDrbBg

13/05/2026

For sole traders and landlords, Making Tax Digital is more than a compliance change, it is likely to change how day-to-day financial records and reporting are managed.

Our own Carole Porter FCCA recently joined the Dundee & Angus Chamber of Commerce “Take A Seat” podcast to discuss what the changes mean in practice, who will be affected, and why preparing early matters.

Watch on YouTube: https://zurl.co/3mZEm

In this week's episode of Take A Seat, our CEO, Alison Henderson, sits down with Carole Porter from Dains (Scotland). Carole shares the updates that sole tr...

06/05/2026

We’re proud to be part of a significant milestone across Dains, with 100 promotions announced across the UK & Ireland.

It’s fantastic to see colleagues progressing across our Scotland teams, spanning Audit, Tax, Accounts & Business Advisory, Private Clients and Finance recognising the contribution, commitment and support they bring to clients and colleagues every day.

Brian Thomson has been promoted to Audit Partner and will help lead the Audit function in Scotland, while Ian Brown becomes Indirect Tax Partner, supporting businesses across Scotland and Northern England with specialist VAT and indirect tax advice.

Alongside the Partner promotions, Andrew McKay has been appointed Audit Director within the Scotland Audit team, and Laura Nicoll becomes Director in Accounting & Business Advisory, continuing her work supporting healthcare clients and owner-managed businesses across Scotland.

Graeme Bryson, Regional Managing Partner for Scotland, said:

“Our teams work closely with clients and build long-standing relationships. These promotions reflect the strength of those teams, ensuring clients continue to receive consistent support from people who know their business and understand the challenges they face.”

Congratulations to everyone across Dains. 👏

Read the full promotions announcement across the Group here: https://loom.ly/hsI8A1M