At Hall Morrice, we believe in nurturing talent and supporting our people throughout their career journey. In this article, we're sharing the career story of Paul Archibald, who has returned to the firm as Director of Business Advisory Strategic Services after a decade-long journey away from practice.
I studied Accounting & Finance at Robert Gordon University (RGU). In my third year, I was offered a placement at Hall Morrice. That placement turned out to be a pivotal moment, as they offered me the chance to return after graduation to complete my Chartered Accountant (CA) training. I graduated in 2007 with a 1st class Honours Degree, and in 2010, I successfully qualified as a Chartered Accountant with ICAS.
I started as an Audit Junior, gaining hands-on experience and exposure to a wide range of client projects. Once exam qualified, I was promoted to Audit Senior in 2009, and then Audit Manager 2 years later. Over time, I developed a strong foundation in auditing and compliance.
Interested in broadening my experience and gaining a deeper understanding of the finance industry beyond audit, I moved to a Financial Controller position in industry, where I spent 10 years. As a Financial Controller, my role involved ensuring the business met its compliance requirements while also playing a key part in strategic financial planning and decision-making. My experience in audit at Hall Morrice provided a strong foundation, and my exposure to the strategic aspects of my role has deepened my understanding of the factors that drive business success.
During my time away from Hall Morrice, I maintained strong relationships with many colleagues still at the firm and continued to engage them for various projects, confident in the high quality of service they consistently deliver. When I heard about the opening for the role of Director of Business Advisory Strategic Services, it felt like the perfect opportunity and the natural next career step. The chance to lead the Strategic Services team and work alongside the Business Advisory Compliance team was something I couldn’t pass up. I’ve always appreciated Hall Morrice’s close-knit culture, and when I saw how much the firm had grown, yet maintained those same strong values, I knew it was time to come back.
Building on the strengths of the business advisory division, my primary focus is to expand its service lines with an emphasis on strategic services. I’m looking at areas like financial planning, digital transformation, and data analytics. A big part of my role is identifying any service or training gaps and recommending the tools and software we need to stay ahead of the curve. I want to ensure we’re helping clients grow while keeping the firm forward-thinking and aligned with our long-term objectives.
The team culture! When I first started, there were about 50 people, and now there are over 80. Despite the growth, the inclusive and team-focused culture remains the same. Everyone works together, shares knowledge, and there’s a real sense of community. It’s great to be part of a workplace where continuous learning and development are valued so highly.
Mentoring the next generation of accountants is definitely a priority. It’s so important to nurture young talent and help them grow in their careers. Hall Morrice is fantastic at providing opportunities for up-and-coming accountants, and I'm looking forward to playing a part in that process.
I’ve lived in the North East most of my life, and I now live in beautiful Aberdeenshire with my wife and two young children. I’m also a big football fan, both ‘proper’ and American! I support The Dons (for my sins!) and the Baltimore Ravens in the NFL. In my spare time, I love to go for a run and every so often set myself a challenge, completing 6 marathons to date.
There are lots of growth and development opportunities within the Business Advisory division. We’re focusing on areas like digital transformation and financial planning, and there’s a real energy around driving forward these services. I’m also excited to continue working with such a great team. There’s a lot of potential here at Hall Morrice, and I’m looking forward to being part of it.
We’re thrilled to welcome Paul back to Hall Morrice, and we look forward to the continued success of the firm under his leadership in the Business Advisory division.
If you’d like to know more about Hall Morrice or our services, feel free to get in touch with Paul at P.Archibald@Hall-Morrice.co.uk.
