Dow Schofield Watts has been ranked in the top 20 in a new mid-tier power index which aims to place a spotlight on the accountancy sector’s best mid-tier performers and rising stars.
Accountancy Age’s first Mid-Tier Power Index assesses firms on four key categories – strategic planning, profitability and growth, professional excellence, and people and community – and on qualitative rather than quantitative criteria.
It says its research shows that mid-tier firms are winning business from larger rivals by championing employee and client satisfaction. It identified a number of common themes amongst the 40 firms in the index, including the emphasis they place upon their people and offering professional development in-house.
Accountancy Age reports that mid-tier firms are ‘quietly confident of their ability to be agile and adapt to challenges quicker than larger firms’ – attributes they believe will stand them in good stead in 2023.
Dow Schofield Watts – which ranked in 20th place in the index – operates a unique licensing model which offers professionals the chance to run their own business under its brand and rethink their priorities.
Pete Fendall of DSW Capital, the company behind the Dow Schofield Watts brand, says the accountancy market is ripe for disruption. “Larger firms are under pressure due to changing audit regulations, which in turn puts their people under pressure,” he says.
Covid has been a catalyst for a change in behaviour – professionals want to see a direct link between effort and renumeration, the flexibility to pursue the clients they want to work with and choose when they work. Our model offers them the freedom and flexibility to fit in with their lifestyle, whilst also achieving their career ambitions”.
DSW Capital, the business advisory platform behind Dow Schofield Watts and DR Solicitors, has delivered resilient results for its half year ending 30th September 2025, reflecting the scalability of its pioneering model.
