When Simon Massey became Managing Partner at Menzies three and a half years ago, he didn’t anticipate his role would involve overseeing the introduction of AI-powered automation into one of accountancy’s most traditional bastions: the statutory audit.
But fast forward to 2025, and the firm has taken a clear stance — not just on how to stay relevant, but how to stay human.
“I’m back in the days of green pen,” Massey jokes, referencing his early days as an auditor. “But the pace of change now? It’s absolutely rapid.”
In December 2024, Menzies announced its partnership with Platformed, a third-party risk management (TPRM) platform that automates and enhances IT audit processes. It’s one of several digital transformation steps the firm is undertaking — but perhaps the most symbolic of where audit, and Menzies itself, is headed.
Reframing the Role of Technology in Audit
“We’re not resting on our laurels,” Massey says. “We know that to keep pace — or even gain a competitive advantage — we have to harness the most appropriate tech for our service delivery and our client base.”
The adoption of Platformed was driven by both necessity and opportunity. ISA 315 has shifted the audit landscape, requiring a deeper understanding of client IT systems — something that has historically been tackled with a “discursive type approach,” Massey explains.
“You can’t do it manually anymore. Even the Big Four struggle to properly integrate through a client’s systems. There’s a gap in the market, and Platformed helps fill that.”
Still, Massey is careful to draw a line between automation and full autonomy.
“This doesn’t take humans out of the process. It enhances the quality of what we do — it helps us cut through the fog of information and focus our testing in a more targeted manner.”
Partner-Led, Not Private Equity-Driven
Menzies is also charting its own course in a consolidating sector. While many firms of similar size are pursuing private equity funding, Massey confirms Menzies is not among them.
“We don’t think we need it. We have a progressive group of partners who are willing to invest for the long term — and frankly, it’s been rewarding. It also gives us a very distinct offering to prospective merger partners who want a traditional, partner-led home.”
With turnover approaching £80 million this year, the firm isn’t short on momentum. But what sets it apart is its ability to scale without sacrificing its character — or its people.
On Tech, Talent, and Trust
One of the underlying concerns around audit automation is its potential impact on regulation and confidentiality — two bedrocks of the profession. Massey is adamant that these are not negotiable.
“We’ve stepped up cybersecurity significantly. Rule 101 for us is client confidentiality. It’s in everyone’s DNA here.”
Even so, he acknowledges that tech and people must evolve together. “If we hadn’t invested in technology, we’d probably need five times more people just to get through the workload. But we’ve made a choice — instead of offshoring, we’re tech-enabling.”
This shift also opens up more meaningful work for staff.
“Automation takes away the boring stuff. That frees our people to do the clever stuff — the stuff they really want to do. And that’s good for everyone.”
Building a Place People Want to Be
Recruitment and retention continue to be industry-wide challenges. But Massey believes Menzies’ approach — what he calls “treating people like grown-ups” — has played a key role in setting them apart.
“We’ve just completed a major refit of our offices — with more on the way. We were recognised by the Sunday Times as one of the Best Employers. And we’re running something called the Better Place Program, which is about making Menzies a genuinely enjoyable place to work.”
He references a favourite line from his HR Director: make people ready to go, but happy to stay.
“It’s not just about salary. It’s about creating a sense of belonging. Empowerment. That human connection.”
Massey also points to their post-pandemic office culture — a hybrid model guided more by trust than by policy.
“Our guidance is two days a week at home, but in reality, we get about 80% office attendance. People want to be here. You don’t need top-down Victorian-style rules — if you build a culture where people feel they’re part of something, they’ll show up.”
Embracing a More Consultative Future
Looking ahead, Massey sees accountancy firms like Menzies evolving well beyond compliance work. ESG consultancy is already a fast-growing service line, alongside others like transfer pricing.
“Our goal is to launch a new service line every year if we can. A lot of what we do now has a human side to it — and we’re becoming more consultative in how we support clients. Whether it’s high-net-worth individuals, family offices, or businesses, they want to know they have someone they can call when things get complicated.”
That, he says, is where the real value lies — not in the numbers themselves, but in the trust built around them.
“As an industry, we have to move with the times. But no one calls a chatbot for nuanced advice. Businesses are still run by people. And people want to work with people.”
Skepticism Meets Optimism
Despite the firm’s forward-looking strategy, Massey remains grounded in what he calls “professional skepticism” — a trait he believes is essential when evaluating any new tech or service line.
“With AI, the pace of change is extraordinary. But with the right checks and balances, it can be a good thing — for our clients, for the business, and for our people.”
He sees a future where accountancy becomes more dynamic, more client-centric, and more human — supported by smart tools that streamline the process without removing the thought.
“I’m really confident and really positive about where we are and where we’re going. With a bit of ambition and a bit of hope, we can progress forward very nicely.”