Scholes CA: A Trusted IT Partner Supporting Growth and Integration

Founded 50 years ago in Orkney, Scholes CA roots are as much in agriculture as they are in entrepreneurship. Built on strong family foundations, they have grown organically, through acquisition and innovation to continually meet the evolving needs of their ambitious clients. Read on to see how we helped modernise their operations.

The Challenge

Scholes Chartered Accountants (CA) is a respected mid-tier firm of chartered accountants with offices across Scotland, providing audit, tax and advisory services to corporate and third sector clients. As the firm continued to grow, the team wanted to ensure their technology partnership offered the best possible value, reliability, and proactive support.

To achieve this, Scholes launched a competitive tender process to evaluate potential IT partners. Their goal was clear: find a provider who could deliver excellent service, strong technical expertise, and a genuine understanding of the accountancy sector.

After reviewing their request for pricing, it was clear that Aspen Solution’s experience in supporting professional service firms, combined with our Managing Director’s background in CA training, made us an excellent fit. We understood not only the technology that drives modern accountancy but also the daily pressures of delivering efficient and accurate service to clients.

The Solution

Aspen Solutions was selected as Scholes CA’s new Managed Service Provider following the successful tender process. Our first priority was a seamless onboarding experience. The transition was carefully planned and executed without any disruption to the firm’s daily operations. Staff were able to continue working as usual while we implemented the necessary systems and support framework in the background.

With the foundation in place, we began streamlining Scholes’ Azure environment to improve performance, resilience, and security. We also modernised their telephony by introducing Microsoft Teams Telephony, a cloud -based communication platform integrated within Microsoft Teams. This upgrade provided a smooth and efficient user experience while supporting hybrid and remote working across their offices.

When Scholes acquired a competitor based in Shetland, Aspen Solutions once again played a key role. We managed the full integration process, migrating data and emails into the existing Microsoft environment and replacing outdated hardware. The new team was up and running quickly, fully equipped with reliable systems and technology that allowed them to contribute immediately.

The Results

Scholes CA now operates within a secure, high-performing IT environment designed around their business needs. The firm benefits from reliable infrastructure, enhanced communication tools, and ongoing support from a team that understands the accountancy sector inside and out.

Key outcomes include:

Improved performance: A streamlined Azure setup delivering greater reliability and security.
Modern communication: Upgraded telephony through Microsoft Teams Telephony, fully integrated within Microsoft 365.
Seamless acquisition support: Smooth onboarding of the new Shetland team with no disruption to operations.
Specialist understanding: Long-term IT support from a partner with genuine experience in the financial and professional services industries.

Today, Scholes CA has a technology partnership that supports its growth, strengthens its operations, and enables its people to deliver exceptional service to clients across Scotland.