TaxAssist Accountants 80th Shop Front Opens

Press release date: 30-Mar-2009

TaxAssist Accountants, the UK’s leading accountancy and taxation service for small businesses is delighted to announce the opening of their 80th Shop Front.   

The shop front concept was developed with the aim of attracting the local small and medium sized business owner with a fresh, modern and stylish look.  Not only do the shop fronts lend visibility and accessibility they also offer the credibility with clients and other businesses that working from home simply could not provide. With 160 franchisees, this now means that half of the TaxAssist Accountants network are now in shop front premises.

The franchisee that hit the 80th spot is Keith Loader who operates from 149 Park Avenue North, in Northampton.  He comments “I joined TaxAssist Accountants in 1998 so it's taken me a while to open my shop, but the results so far have completely vindicated that decision. Walk ins have been plentiful and the extra visibility the shop brings will I'm sure make a huge difference to my business”.

Karl Sandall, Chief Executive of TaxAssist Accountants comments “It is very clear to us that moving into shop front premises will continue to be the way forward for all franchisees.  We have always had complete confidence in this.  Professionalism and business stature within the community are immediately elevated with the increased profile of a shop front office, - which in turn improves local business relationships and increases referrals of new business to our accountants.”

Franchisees do not need any formal accountancy qualifications as full training is given, but you do need to have a relevant career background, be self motivated, disciplined, ambitious, hardworking and keen to build a substantial successful business. 

TaxAssist Accountants was founded in 1995, specifically to serve the tax and accountancy needs of small business.  Its Support Centre is in Norwich, and currently TaxAssist Accountants has a network of offices with over 160 accountants and tax specialists around the country.

Chief Executive - Karl Sandall FCIB

Karl spent 26 years at a senior level with a major clearing bank before joining TaxAssist Accountants on 1st January 2000 as Operations Director – taking on the role of Chief Executive in 2002.  A 'fellow' of the Chartered Institute of Bankers, a School Governor and a member of the Financial Industry Group and of the Committee of the IFS School of Finance for the East of England, Karl oversees the running of the company and the whole network on a day to day basis and ensures the company continues to expand rapidly.

Business Development Director – Sarah Robertson MSc, Dip M, Chartered Marketer, MCIM FIDM

Sarah founded a successful Brand Agency ‘The Point’ in 1994 with three other Directors. ‘The Point’ became one of the foremost marketing communications agencies in the Eastern region with billings in excess of £4.5m.  Sarah has a total of 20 years experience in the marketing and advertising industry, working with a broad range of national and regional brands such as the British Red Cross, Norwich Union, Oracle, Del Monte, the Imperial Cancer Research Fund and Swinton Insurance. She is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Marketing and a Fellow of the Institute of Direct Marketing.  Sarah joined the TaxAssist Accountants Board on 1st September 2004.  Sarah is responsible for marketing strategy, brand development, shop fronts, practice management and business development strategies for franchisees.

Network Operations & Finance Director - Phil Sullivan BSc (Hons), ACIB

During a 26 year career with HSBC Bank plc Phil achieved Executive Management status and undertook roles covering a wide range of disciplines. These included corporate banking, branch retail banking, credit control, strategic planning, human resources and training. Prior to leaving HSBC Phil was Area Director for Leicestershire, a role with responsibility for all aspects of the bank's branch banking & commercial business in the county and corporate banking activities in East Midlands. He was responsible for 400 staff operating from 36 offices and a cost budget of £11m. Phil established his own business in 2006 providing corporate and commercial advisory services to selected business clients. He specialised in assisting with the creation of strategies for large transactions, including business sales, MBOs/MBIs, flotations, raising unquoted equity and exit/succession. His main business interests lie in corporate finance and management/leadership theory and practice.
After working with TaxAssist Direct Ltd for 18 months on a consultancy basis, Phil joined the Board as a full-time Executive Director with effect from 1 October 2008. His responsibilities include overall technical competency and compliance of the Network and Support Centre, internal financial control and operational integrity.