Onside Accounting Welcomes Laura Smith as Accounting Partner
A Major Addition to Our Senior Leadership Team
We are delighted to welcome Laura Smith, FCA, CTA as our new Accounting Partner at Onside Accounting. Laura is a significant addition to our leadership team as we continue to grow and enhance the depth of our technical expertise.
Laura brings over 16 years of experience providing accounting, audit and tax advice to fast-growing and complex businesses. A Fellow Chartered Accountant (FCA) and Chartered Tax Adviser (CTA), she recently worked at two top 10 accountancy firms; S&W (formerly Evelyn Partners) and Blick Rothenberg (part of the Azets Group), where she developed a reputation for combining technical precision with a practical, commercially minded approach that helps business leaders make better financial decisions.
Throughout her career, Laura has worked with a broad range of clients – from entrepreneurial startups to large international groups, across industries such as technology, hospitality, leisure, recruitment and retail.
Her portfolio has included some of the UK’s best-known tech brands, including Dext, and several professional football clubs such as Watford FC, Reading, Charlton and Nottingham Forest. This mix of high-performance environments resonates deeply with Onside’s fast-moving client base.
Strengthening Our Technical Leadership in Financial Reporting
At Onside, Laura will oversee our Accounting team and services, taking on responsibility for the firm’s financial reporting standards, technical quality, and final review of all accounts. She succeeds Martin Brennan, Founder and CEO of Onside Accounting, as the firm’s technical lead – allowing Martin to focus more fully on strategic growth, technology focus and the future direction of the firm.
Laura’s appointment strengthens our ability to deliver best-in-class financial reporting to our clients – particularly those navigating the challenges of fundraising, international expansion and audit readiness.
With the next phase of FRS 102 changes coming into effect ahead of 2026, her technical expertise ensures Onside’s clients will stay ahead of evolving compliance and disclosure requirements.
Supporting Founders Through Growth and Change with Robust Financial Reporting
Many of Onside’s clients are high-growth startups scaling rapidly and entering new markets. As companies mature, investor expectations increase and financial reporting becomes more than a compliance exercise – it becomes a foundation for strategic decision-making.
Laura’s experience in UK GAAP and IFRS reporting, coupled with her background in audit and tax, means she can support founders and finance teams build the robust financial frameworks needed to sustain growth.
Laura shares:
“I’ve always loved helping ambitious businesses build the financial confidence they need to make bold decisions. What drew me to Onside was the energy and care the team brings to clients – and the opportunity to shape how we deliver technically excellent, commercially relevant accounting for fast-growing companies.”
A New Chapter for Onside Accounting and Our Leadership Team
Martin Brennan, Founder and CEO of Onside Accounting, adds:
“Laura’s arrival marks an exciting next step for Onside. She brings deep technical strength and genuine care for clients – the perfect blend for the type of companies we work with.
“As we continue to grow, Laura will play a key role in maintaining the service standards that saw us recognised for Client Service of the Year at the Accounting Excellence Awards. Her leadership ensures every set of accounts we produce provides clients the clarity and confidence they need.”
Onside is proud to welcome Laura to the team and excited about what’s ahead.