A NEW-STYLE accountancy firm with a traditional name launched at the end of last year.

Books and Company is a play on the old habit in the accountancy world of calling the practice by the name of the principal, followed by ‘& Co’.

In this case, ‘Mr Books’ is chartered accountant John Merrien.

Having worked for big and medium-sized firms, Mr Merrien, pictured, spent the last 18 months or so working freelance on projects before deciding to fill a gap he perceived opening up in the local accountancy market.

But why enter such a competitive marketplace?

‘My aim is to look to small businesses who underpin the island’s economy – more than 1,700 of them at the last count, all employing fewer than 10 people,’ said Mr Merrien.