A BLACKBURN accountancy firm has recorded a virus era success story with a sharp rise in demand for its services.

PM+M, a chartered accountancy, business advisory and wealth management group based in Greenbank Technology Park, has seen a spike in the demand for its payroll processing and advice services since the start of the coronavirus crisis.

This comes despite the huge challenges faced by businesses up and down the country as the unprecedented situation continues to take its toll.

Payroll manager Julie Mason said: “The last six months have been a massive upheaval for businesses right around the world.

“The impact of coronavirus has been devastating so our focus has been on helping our clients navigate the challenges they face.”

Ms Mason’s team of ten works with clients all over the UK to deliver payroll support services along with tax and pensions advice.

The firm as a whole, meanwhile, has engineered its recent success in part by launching a bespoke furlough advice function in April, which offers support on the entire furlough process including preparing claims and calculations, making portal submissions, and managing HMRC communications.

PM+M also launched an online coronavirus hub, which includes the latest advice from the government in relation to the direct financial support businesses can access as well as news and guidance on issues such as VAT and commercial rent deferrals, tax filing extensions and the key issues affecting self-employed workers.

Thanks to innovations like these, the company has thrived even in the toughest of times and has helped other companies weather the storm too.

As a result, the payroll team has reported an 18% increase in turnover when compared to the same six-month period last year.

In addition to this, the team has also handled over £3.5m worth of Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme claims since the scheme was launched by the government earlier this year.

Ms Mason said: “The entire team has worked tirelessly."