Here to help you
We're honest, friendly and straightforward, and we go over and above for our clients. We'll be your sounding board, but we'll also ask the challenging questions to help you plan efficiently.
Farming and Small Business Accountants Established in 2020
Team McKilligan Financial
While we have a deep understanding of the agricultural industry, we work with any rural business. So whether you’re a growing architect firm, a solo beauty therapist, a diversified farming business, run a thriving plumbing business, or have a long-established construction firm, Elaine and Team McKilligan Financial have the expertise to support you.
Our mission is to support rural family businesses with honest, trusted advice built on lasting relationships.
So compliance, like filing accounts and tax returns, is just one part of the picture for us.
We keep our core values central to everything we do for our clients, and in how we move our business forward too.
Real service, to us, looks like being:
Spiking in yer tongue
Whether it's lapsing into Doric to help you feel understood and comfortable, or whether it's just plain-talking, no-jargon chat you need...the team want you to feel comfortable to ask and to understand with ease.
People you can trust
We all come from family farming or small business backgrounds. Strong relationships with clients are what we do best, and we keep up to date with everything in the field so that we can offer our advice based on best practice and our own experiences.
Positive
There's enough doom and gloom around sometimes, whether it's the weather or politics. We bring to you a positive outlook and glass half full approach at all times while remaining realistic.
Approachable
We're always there at the end of the phone or on email with no extra fees (so you can ask a “quick question” with ease).
Ready to work with a Chartered Accountant or Tax Advisor?
Pick up the phone, or come visit us (and we’ll stick the kettle on)
Contact UsDetailed Accounting And Future Planning Support
The personal touch is at the heart of it all
What is important to us is that you feel empowered and knowledgeable about:
your tax position.
how to manage your tax
what your accounts tell you.
your future business plans.
And we do all that by getting to know you, as well as your business.
Expect face-to-face (or virtual) meetings and plain-speaking discussions when we work closely with you throughout the year.
Think plain-speaking discussions about your accountancy and tax position sounds refreshing?
An initial conversation is a great place to start
There are some unique challenges faced by rural enterprises (we know that from personal experience!)
So feel reassured that whoever you are speaking to in our team, we really do know what it’s like to live and breathe rural life.
And we really are happiest pulling on our wellies and trudging through the dubs to see you if needed.
Elaine
Director
A fully qualified member of The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland (ICAS) and The Association of Taxation Technicians (ATT), and with over 25 years' experience, Elaine is passionate about supporting "fowk jist like hersel" with her responsive and proactive financial support and business advice.
Elaine understands the challenges in the agricultural industry as she comes from a farming family and farms alongside her husband, Graeme on their busy sheep and beef farm. It is this lived experience and understanding of rural enterprises, as well as a desire to offer genuinely helpful client support, beyond the basics or obvious, as an accountant, that led her to found McKilligan Financial in 2020 and grow her team to what it is today.
Elaine is involved with Deeside Monitor Farm Management Group and enjoys attending farming events with her young family.
Fellow farmer or small rural business owner? Arrange a call with Elaine.
Susan
Senior Client Manager
Qualified Chartered Certified Accountant (ACCA) Susan joined our team in 2024, bringing with her more than 20 years of experience. Like Elaine, she comes from a farming family, giving her a real understanding of the opportunities and the challenges that many of our clients face.
Susan enjoys getting to know each client and their business, building strong relationships based on understanding, trust and practical insight. With her attention to detail, Susan combines her strong technical knowledge with a genuine commitment to supporting clients and helping them succeed.
Client review:
"I am massively appreciating the support we get from Susan and the rest of the team. This is my first experience of having an accountant and I have been so impressed by the advice, guidance and support from fixing little Xero issues through to strategic advice and planning for our business."
Nikki Yoxall, Grampian Graziers and Rotall Land and Livestock
Lisa
Client Manager
Qualified Chartered Accountant Lisa joined McKilligan Financial in June 2025. With over seven years' experience, Lisa has strong technical knowledge and a practical understanding of rural businesses. She supports the team with accounts reviews and tax work and has a growing client portfolio.
Like many of the team, Lisa is closely connected to the farming and business community. Her family background spans both arable farming and country sports retailers, Sloan's of Inverurie. These connections give Lisa valuable insight into the challenges and opportunities faced by rural businesses. She enjoys getting to know clients and their businesses, building relationships based on trust and understanding.
Natalie
Assistant Client Manager
Natalie qualified as a Chartered Accountant in early 2026 following the 5-year ICAS/RGU Graduate Apprenticeship that she completed while at McKilligan Financial. Within the McKilligan Financial team, she supports our apprentices on the same course and is always happy to share advice, study tips, and her experience from her time on the course.
Working closely with Elaine and Susan, Natalie is involved in a wide range of client work - from assisting with year-end accounts preparation, tax compliance, and business advisory projects.
Natalie (who is busy planning her wedding to her tattie farmer fiance) says that the most rewarding part of her job is seeing clients succeed in their journeys and helping them along the way.
Catriona
Accounts Supervisor
Catriona is one of our longest-serving team members and a true straight-talker - the perfect fit for McKilligan Financial's down-to-earth approach to providing honest and practical advice to our clients.
Catriona holds a degree in Rural Business Management and has worked across a range of industries, particularly agriculture. This diverse background gives her a broad and practical understanding of how different businesses operate, enabling her to offer insightful, well-rounded support and build strong connections with clients from all sectors.
She is currently working towards her Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT) qualification and leads our bookkeeping, VAT, payroll, and Xero training and support services. Catriona has been a valued member of the McKilligan Financial team since 2022.
Work with us
We’re a growing business with a lot to offer. If working with us appeals to you, we’d love to hear from you.
Active in our local community
Proud to support local organisations and to share our knowledge
Event Sponsor
Featured Contributor
Supporter
Christmas Classic Trophy Sponsor
Event Sponsor
Professional Member
Ladies Rugby Club Kit Sponsor
Learn more about McKilligan Financial
We were delighted to record an episode for Scotland’s Farm Advisory Service (FAS) in 2024, which provides information and resources aimed at increasing the profitability and sustainability of farms and crofts.
Read our client reviews
We really are here for the big questions, the little questions, the tech support, and everything in between
“
Elaine has been, and continues to be, a huge asset to us, as we have expanded our agribusiness. She works closely with us throughout the year, over email, phone and farm visits to ensure our financial position is favourable. She completely understands us as individuals as well as our business and aids us in driving forward and growing.
Ross and Kirsten Williams
R&K Williams