Mr McAllister joins the accountancy group from Johnston Carmichael, where he led its payroll services team, and brings more than a decade of senior payroll and employment tax experience across the profession.

He has built his career working extensively across Scotland, including in the Central Belt and the north and north-east, with professional experience spanning Glasgow, Aberdeen, Elgin and Inverness.

In his new role, Mr McAllister will lead AMS Group’s payroll and employment tax services nationally, while playing a key role in the firm’s continued investment in Scotland and the growth of Aberdeen as a centre for advisory-led professional services.

A full member of the Chartered Institute of Payroll Professionals (CIPP), he has previously held senior roles at RSM and Mazars, and began his career at Scott-Moncrieff Chartered Accountants (now part of Azets).

He is also a tutor and lecturer with The Payroll Centre, delivering specialist training across payroll, employment tax, HR and reward.

His appointment marks the launch of a new, standalone payroll, employment tax and global mobility division within AMS Group.

AMS Group has also appointed Raymond Ford as a senior manager in the payroll and employment taxes team.

Mr Ford also joins from Johnston Carmichael and brings additional technical depth to the expanding team. He previously held senior roles within payroll services and worked in financial services at Lloyds Banking Group.

Commenting on his appointment, Mr McAllister said: “Having worked across Scotland throughout my career – from the Central Belt to the north and north-east – it’s particularly rewarding to join a firm that is investing so strongly in the region and positioning Scotland at the heart of its growth strategy.

“From the outset, it was clear that AMS Group is the ideal platform for the next stage of my career.

“Its ambition to become the leading advisory-led professional services firm in the mid-market presents a compelling opportunity to further strengthen and scale a best-in-class payroll and employment tax offering, led with a style the market increasingly needs – hands-on, personal and genuinely people-focused.

“Payroll and employment taxes are no longer viewed simply as administrative functions. For growing businesses, they have become a strategic, board-level consideration –central to governance, risk management and workforce planning.

“AMS Group’s progressive approach to technology, and its investment in real-time data and digital reporting, will allow us to go even further by giving clients access to live insights through intuitive dashboards and visual reporting, creating a truly market-leading experience.”

Mr McAllister has known Steven Fraser, AMS Group’s regional managing partner for Scotland, for many years through their work in the profession and was approached directly as AMS looked to appoint a senior leader to support its next phase of growth.

“I have long admired Steven’s leadership and track record, and joining forces at this point feels both timely and exciting,” Mr McAllister said.

“By doing things differently, we have a real opportunity to create something distinctive for our clients. Raymond’s technical expertise will further strengthen our payroll capability, alongside our established relationship-led approach under Wendy Atkinson, director of growth and partnerships.”

Mr Fraser added: “Michael and Raymond’s appointments reinforce our long-term commitment to Scotland.

“Michael brings deep technical expertise, strong leadership and a real understanding of Scotland’s business landscape, which will be invaluable as we continue to grow our Aberdeen headquarters and expand our advisory-led services.”