The Bristol office of accountants and business advisors BDO has launched a personal tax division and recruited four experts from rival RSM Tenon, which recently closed its base in the city.
The new team will strengthen BDO’s tax offering in the region with a service aimed at individuals, families and business owners who have complex tax affairs.
It will also build on BDO’s recent success at the British Accountancy Awards where the firm won the prestigious Tax Award of the Year prize in the Global Firm category.
The division’s new senior manager Sangeeta Johnson offers expertise in advising private clients and owner-managed businesses on tax planning solutions, in particular inheritance tax, trusts and capital tax planning.
Nicola Edwards joins as personal tax manager. With more than 15 years’ experience, she has a wealth of knowledge regarding tax compliance, having worked for individuals and families as well as trusts and partnerships.
Emily Sayers joins as a trainee – one of three taken on by BDO’s tax team within the past three months, in keeping with the firm’s commitment to graduate opportunities and training.
Robert Brown also joins BDO from RSM Tenon as a director with more than 20 years’ experience in the profession. He specialises in advising a range of clients, both businesses and private clients, on tax planning opportunities as well as ensuring all compliance obligations are met.
BDO Bristol tax partner Malcolm Joy said: “BDO has ambitious plans for growth in 2012 and we have begun the year by strengthening our tax team considerably, adding specialist knowledge to ensure a fully comprehensive service for our clients.
“The firm now offers expert support and advice in personal, corporate and employment tax affairs as well as VAT.”
The personal tax division will be based at BDO’s Victoria Street office until the firm relocates to its new grade A office space at nearby Finzels Reach later this year. The 8,707 sq ft accommodation on the fifth floor of Bridgewater House will provide further room for expansion.
