Thursday October 10 2024
Swindon & Wiltshire News
Two firms of accountants are merging to form a larger practice for Swindon.
Banks chartered accountants, based in Swindon, and BHG, of Shrivenham, will join forces on June 30 to create a firm with three directors, 30 staff and a turnover of more than £2 million.
The company – to be called Banks BHG Chartered Accountants – will operate from Banks’ Stratton offices and be headed up by Banks directors Richard Mathews and Neil Elsden, along with BHG founder Bernard Harrington.
All staff from Shrivenham will move across to Stratton, and the Shrivenham office will close.
“We are very excited about this merger, which we believe will further our ambition to be the number one accountancy firm in Swindon,” said Richard.
“When we moved into our Stratton offices two years ago, it was with the strong aim of growing the businesses. When the opportunity arose to merge with BHG we jumped at the chance, because Bernard’s way of working is very similar to our own and by joining forces we can offer a better, more comprehensive service to both our clients and BHG’s.”
BHG brings to the table expertise in insolvency and business turnaround, while Banks has a well-established payroll and bookkeeping service. Staff from each firm will join forces, and offer core services including taxation, auditing, accountancy and planning.
The merger marks a new era for both Banks and BHG. Banks is this year celebrating its tenth anniversary under the directorship of Neil and Richard.
BHG was founded by Bernard in 1999, specialising in advising small and medium-sized owner-managed businesses and private wealth clients. Last year, it was a finalist in the British Accountancy Awards.
Bernard said: “Banks shares our dynamism and philosophy, so the two firms make an excellent fit. As well as this, we have specialisms in different areas, which means we can give our clients access to a greater range of services, and the same is true for Banks’ clients.”
