Grantham-based accountancy and business adviser, Duncan & Toplis has been named a finalist for one of the biggest awards in the accounting profession.

The company, which employs 400 and supports more than 12,000 businesses and individuals, has been shortlisted for the Large Firm of the Year award in the 2021 Accounting Excellence Awards.

The shortlist puts Duncan & Toplis, one of the largest accountancy firms in the East Midlands, puts it ahead of some of the largest accountancy groups in the country. It is also the only Midlands-based company to appear as a finalist in the Large Firm category.

For over a decade, the Accounting Excellence awards have recognised the most innovative, ambitious and successful accounting firms, individuals and vendors within the UK.

With a record number of entries this year, the awards recognise those who demonstrate exceptional client service, technological innovations and support for pandemic-hit businesses.

Revealing the shortlist, editor of AccountingWEB Richard Hattersley, who sits on the judges panel for the awards, wrote: "This year's award entries told the story of the accounting profession's heroic efforts over the past 12-18 months and how the best performing firms capitalised on strengthened client relationships to expand their services.

"The pandemic featured heavily in the majority of entries … so it's no surprise there's a greater emphasis on people issues this year. These challenges were twofold; first, there was the toll of the virus and the resulting client demands and then there was the transition to remote working, which has continued as pandemic restrictions were lifted." Ian Phillips, Deputy Managing Director of Duncan & Toplis said: "Since the start of the pandemic, we have made a concerted effort to help every one of our clients through the many challenges they've faced. "Our team has embraced remote working practices and worked hard to deliver outstanding service to our clients at a critical time for so many businesses. "We've given free guidance to the wider business community in our area, helped businesses access millions of pounds in financial support and given them the advice they've needed to adapt and to survive what the pandemic has thrown at them. He continued: "I couldn't be more proud of the Duncan & Toplis team and it's a real honour to see us recognised as one of the best accounting companies in the country." After social distancing rules forced the 2020 awards presentation to go virtual, the 2021 Accounting Excellence Awards will return to The Brewery in London for an in-person award ceremony on 21 October. Duncan & Toplis was founded in 1925 and has 11 offices around the region. Its services include accountancy, tax and business advice, audit, assurance services, HR, Payroll, wealth management, IT services, legal and probate services, international business services and business turnaround support.