A specialist practice, led personally.
BFS Associates was founded in 2012 by Brian Smartt in Newport, South Wales, on a simple conviction: the organisations that need specialist financial help most are too often served by generalists. We chose to go deep instead — and to keep it personal.
Brian Smartt
Founder & Principal
“Good finance isn’t about more spreadsheets — it’s about giving you the clarity and confidence to focus on the work that matters.”
Brian’s career spans financial management, compliance advisory and business consultancy across the public, private and third sectors. Working with charities, regulated care providers and property investors gave him a clear view of how different these worlds are — and how poorly generalist accountants often serve them.
BFS Associates is the answer to that: a practice that knows the rules of your sector inside out, holds full Anti-Money-Laundering registration, and gives you a direct line to the person actually doing the work. No rotating account teams, no jargon, no surprises.
Today that means everything from independent examinations and CQC-ready care accounts to SPV property structures and the growing advisory side of the business — business analysis and reporting that helps clients plan, not just file.
Six values, held in practice.
Integrity
Honest, transparent advice. You'll always get our real view — not what's easiest to say.
Excellence
Work held to a high standard, from a set of accounts to a regulatory submission.
Professionalism
Rigour and reliability brought to every relationship, whatever the size of the organisation.
Stewardship
Sound financial stewardship is what keeps good organisations sustainable. We take it seriously.
Partnership
We work alongside you as a genuine partner, invested in your success through the ups and downs.
Innovation
Always improving how we work — embracing the tools and ideas that genuinely help clients.
Vision 2030.
To be the recognised specialist for charity, care and property finance across South Wales and the South West — known for genuine expertise and a personal, plain-English service.
- Serve 250+ active clients across our specialist sectors
- A fully digital client portal and workflow
- Outsourced finance-director services on monthly retainer
- Internal audit & compliance assurance for boards and trustees
- A growing business analysis & reporting advisory practice
Company information
Founded
2012
Director
Brian Smartt
Based
Newport, South Wales
Company Reg
8166031
MLR Reg
12921316
Areas served
Newport · Cardiff · Bristol · London
Work with a specialist, not a generalist.
Book a free consultation with Brian and see what a practice built around your sector can do.