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NEW VAT DIRECTOR FOR BRISTOL ACCOUNTANCY FIRM

Bishop Fleming appoints “Big Four” VAT expert

The Bristol office of Bishop Fleming, the South West accountancy firm with the region‘s widest spread of offices, has appointed a new VAT Director.

Rhona Graham has moved to Bishop Fleming‘s Bristol office, having held senior VAT posts with Grant Thornton in Leeds, Ernst & Young in Edinburgh and Singapore, Robson Rhodes, PriceWaterhouseCoopers, and HM Customs & Excise.

According to Bishop Fleming‘s Bristol-based managing partner, Matthew Lee:  “Unlike most regional accountancy firms, we recognise the need for a VAT specialist.  We are delighted to welcome Rhona, who brings a wealth of national expertise to her new South West role”.

Rhona‘s expertise includes property and international businesses, as well as specialist advice to charities and the social housing sector, having advised leading providers on a range of VAT issues.

“These are crucial sectors for the South West”, said Matthew Lee.  “Our Bristol office already serves almost 200 charity clients, and the South West has one of the country‘s biggest housing crises, with a massive affordability gap between house prices and average earnings – and a shortfall between the delivery of new homes and the demand for those homes”, he added.

Throughout her career with major accountancy firms in the UK, and secondments to India and Singapore, Rhona has advised a wide range of clients on indirect taxes.

“Rhona‘s skills will be of particular benefit to Bishop Fleming‘s specialist teams working with such sectors as Charities, Independent Schools, Care-homes, hotels and leisure-providers, and marine businesses – all of whom have VAT issues and opportunities”, said Mr Lee.

Bishop Fleming has offices in Bristol, Exeter, Plymouth, Torquay, and Truro.

ENDS                                     19th July 2010

For further information contact David Sturgess on 01275 390 552 or david@sturgessvandamme.co.uk or visit the Bishop Fleming website www.bishopfleming.co.uk

PHOTO-CAPTION: Rhona Graham, Bishop Fleming‘s new VAT director