MacFarlane Gray Group has just consolidated its expanding operation by moving into purpose-built offices in Stirling's Castlecraig Business Park.

The previously Edinburgh-based accountancy firm, which has been serving small businesses and private clients across the central belt for the past 70 years, made the move after acquiring Forth Valley accountancy practice Osborne & Company.

The move will allow all the group's divisions to operate from a single location, including its satellite insurance division, and bureau and payroll, which were previously located in Alloa, Clackmannanshire. The corporate finance division will also relocate from Edinburgh to the new premises.

However, Osborne's offices at Shillinghill, Alloa, and Callander will be retained.

Alan Skilling, Macfarlane Gray Group's senior partner, said: "The office move was prompted by two main reasons - first, we had outgrown our existing Edinburgh premises in Gladstone Place but, importantly, we want to be able to offer a more integrated range of services.

"Our business is about providing advice and problem- solving aimed at SMEs. The new office premises will enable us to achieve that much more efficiently. The aim is to fill the gap between one-man operators and the Big Four national accountancy firms by providing a quality, one-stop, personal service."

The group's recent growth - turnover has doubled to over £2m in the last five years - is down to the success of its clients, whose business growth has driven a steady expansion, said Skilling.

He added: "Our strength is in providing quality advice from experienced advisers who have all at one time run their own businesses and understand the problems and pitfalls. By building mutually beneficial and long-term relationships, in a way we have grown and developed on the back of our clients' successes. As they have expanded, we have too."

Established in 1934, the Macfarlane Gray Group has expanded rapidly in recent years, merging with accountancy firm Callan & Co in 1999, when Macfarlane Gray Financial Services was also established.

In 2002, the group acquired Wilson & Co, followed this year by Osborne's, and established Macfarlane Gray Corporate Finance in 2004, subsequently adding corporate finance and forensic services to its more traditional accounting, business and tax advisory practice. It has four partners and two directors, and employs more than 40 staff, the majority of whom will be based at Castlecraig.