A low-cost accountancy franchise is coming to Brighton to help out the city’s ever expanding number of freelancers and selfemployed residents.

Express Accountancy will open its new offices in Frederick House in FrederickPlace, Brighton, on Monday, April 7.

The firm is looking to provide experienced advice for the estimated 25,500 self-employed individuals in Brighton and Hove.

It is believed that more than one in eight of the city’s economically-active residents are self-employed – higher than the national average.

The firmpromises to offer support to the sector of workers who have to fill in self-assessment tax returns for HM Revenue & Customs by the end of January.

Express Accountancy is part of the award-winning SJD Accountancy Group, which includes the UK’s largest accountants for contractors.

To mark the opening, the office will be holding open days throughout the next month for those looking to find out more about their services and specific elements of the British tax system.

Drop in Q&A sessions will be hosted by accountants.

The firm’s executives state they offers a “low-cost personal approach to tax and accountancy” with face-to-face meetings for those trading in Brighton as self-employed or as the owner of a limited company.

Express Accountancy, which already has offices in Newcastle and Hemel Hempsted in Hertfordshire, offers clients a dedicated accountant, whom they can meet face to face as often as they need.

The offices will initially open with two accountants, but it is hoped over time the firm will take on more staff.

Heather Dore, accountant for Express Accountancy, said: “The shift in the way we work is changing and Brighton and Hove has been one of the leading cities to embrace the move to people working for themselves either as sole traders or as small businesses.

“Often the passion and expertise for their line of work doesn’t extend to keeping their finances in check, which is where having an accountant, like those at Express Accountancy, who specialise in working with those who are self employed, is an advantage.”

For further information visit www.expressaccountancy.com/about/o ffices/brighton.