Tag Archives: Kilsby Williams

Accountancy & Accounts, Appointments, Apprenticeships, Business, Education, Newport, Wales

Kilsby Williams invests in future talent

Tax and accountancy specialist Kilsby Williams is investing in the next generation by providing an alternative route into the sector for young people.

The independent firm’s audit and accountancy apprenticeships have been designed with school leavers in mind, providing professional development and expert mentorship opportunities for learners who are not following college and university pathways.

The apprenticeships enable school leavers to study towards industry-recognised qualifications including AAT level 2 and level 3 and ACA qualification, while gaining practical experience and earning above the national minimum wage for apprentices.

Abi Cornford is one of the school leavers who has experienced the support of the firm and tailored career development since joining in 2019, progressing from an apprentice to audits and accounts manager. Abi now specialises in audit services for private businesses, SMEs and UK subsidiaries of overseas groups.

Abi said: “Starting at Kilsby Williams right after school was the best decision I could have made. The support I’ve received has been invaluable, and I’m proud to have achieved my professional chartered qualification while advancing along my managerial career path.

“The firm’s culture, which prioritises development and team building, has played a huge role in my growth. Kilsby Williams has provided me with a platform to thrive, and I look forward to continuing my journey here.”

Jonathan Harrhy, partner at Kilsby Williams, said: “We aim to empower everyone at all levels in the firm to maximise their potential with a no glass ceiling approach to career progression. And there’s no better place to start than by supporting the progression of young professionals in their first roles within the sector.

“We are proud to be investing in the next generation of audit and accountancy talent through our apprenticeships, providing access to top-tier training and trusting them to work alongside colleagues on client projects.

“In addition to developing skills, these opportunities shape the future of Kilsby Williams. It’s been fantastic to see Abi progress from apprentice to manager with our guidance, and it’s exciting to see the growth of Conor and Joshua who will be completing AAT level 3 this summer.”

Established in 1991, Kilsby Williams works with clients locally in south Wales, extending across the UK and globally. Their clients range from sole traders to international quoted groups.

Accountancy & Accounts, Appointments

New year, new partner as Kilsby Williams announces significant appointment

Tax and accountancy specialist Kilsby Williams has begun the new year with a senior appointment.

Anne Smith, former tax partner at Watts Gregory LLP, has joined the Newport-based independent firm as a partner.

Anne began her career with KPMG, qualifying as a chartered accountant and later as a chartered tax adviser.

A committee member of the local south Wales branch of the Chartered Institute of Taxation, Anne has become well known in the market for her expertise and experience in tax planning specialisms such as corporate sale, purchase and reorganisation transactions, fiscal share valuations, international business restructuring, expatriate tax planning and executive remuneration.

In the last two decades, Anne has been particularly involved with succession and estate planning and other advisory work for SME businesses, their owner managers and other individuals.

Anne Smith, partner at Kilsby Williams, said: “It’s an honour to join one of the largest specialist tax teams in south Wales as I become part of the leadership team at Kilsby Williams. Throughout my career, I have applied my specialist and varied knowledge of tax planning to provide holistic advice to businesses and individuals. I look forward to sharing this with the firm’s growing number of clients.”

Simon Tee, managing partner at Kilsby Williams, said: “Our services are partner-led and based on a high level of technical skills and expertise in the fields of taxation and accountancy, so we are thrilled to welcome Anne to the firm. A partner of her calibre and experience will enhance our team and existing client services as we begin the new year and look ahead to the tax changes of the next financial year.”

Established in 1991, Kilsby Williams works with clients locally in south Wales, extending across the UK and globally. Their clients range from sole traders to international quoted groups.

Appointments

Promotions and appointments as firm celebrates successful year

Tax and accountancy specialist Kilsby Williams has promoted two members of staff and appointed nine new employees to its business services and tax teams as the firm rounds off a successful 2024.

Abi Cornford and Phoebe Hughes, who specialise in audit services for private businesses, SMEs and UK subsidiaries of overseas groups, have been promoted to become managers.

Joining Abi and Phoebe in the business services team, which encompasses audit, accountancy and payroll services, are manager Ben Hinton, senior Tomos Hill, assistant Oliver Sims and trainees Tiffany Harris, Amelia Johnston, Hollie Tapper and Dylan Thomas.

The tax team has also been strengthened with James Davies, a chartered tax advisor whose expertise lies in compliance and advisory work for corporate and personal tax, joining the firm as a manager and Lewis Sincock joining as a trainee.

The latest series of promotions and appointments follow a successful year for Kilsby Williams which has seen the firm secure work with major clients and achieve a 20% growth in fee income.

Jonathan Harrhy, partner at Kilsby Williams, said: “As we come to the end of another fantastic year for the firm, we are delighted to share the news of Abi and Phoebe’s promotions and the latest additions to our team.

“This series of appointments cements our position as one of the largest independent firms in the region and an attractive place to work for emerging and experienced accountancy and tax talent.

“This round of recruitment will help us prepare for further growth in 2025. By strengthening our capable team, we are investing in our future to enable us to meet demand as more and more businesses want to benefit from our services.”

Established in 1991, Kilsby Williams works with clients locally in south Wales, extending across the UK and globally. Their clients range from sole traders to international quoted groups.

Accountancy & Accounts, Business, Charity Events, Newport, Tax

Kilsby Williams announces charity of the year

Tax and accountancy specialist Kilsby Williams has announced that it will be supporting Calon Hearts as its charity of the year.

Calon Hearts is a Cardiff-based charity which promotes heart health in Wales and across the UK.

Less than one in ten people survive an out of hospital cardiac arrest but survival rates can be increased significantly if a defibrillator is used and CPR is performed. The charity’s mission includes teaching valuable CPR and first aid skills, and ensuring communities have access to defibrillators and are trained in how to use them.

Calon Hearts also provides free heart screenings for people aged between 16 and 25 to detect life-threatening heart conditions that often go undetected.

To kickstart their fundraising efforts, a team of around 20 from the firm has signed up to run the Cardiff Half Marathon on 6 October.

Dafydd Ford, partner at Kilsby Williams, said: “We are pleased to share that we will be supporting Calon Hearts over the next year, raising awareness of heart health and funds to support their vital work. This is a cause we are passionate about as we sadly lost our colleague Rob Harding earlier this year and we want to make a difference in his memory.

“We’ll be beginning our fundraising challenges with the Cardiff Half Marathon. A half marathon is no mean feat; the team is training hard to pound the streets of Cardiff and do Rob and his family proud.”

Sharon Owen, founder of Calon Hearts, said: “We are delighted that Newport-based accountants, Kilsby Williams, has chosen Calon Hearts as its charity of the year and are greatly appreciative of this support.

“Calon Hearts has worked tirelessly since the charity was founded over 11 years ago to raise awareness of the vital importance of heart health and, to date, has installed over 30,400 defibrillators, provided CPR training to over 99,900 people and screened over 17,000 hearts for potentially life-threatening conditions.

“Calon Hearts would like to wish the Kilsby Williams team the best of luck in the Cardiff Half Marathon, which will launch their fundraising challenges in memory of their colleague.”

Accountancy & Accounts, Appointments, Business

New appointments strengthen audit and accountancy team at independent firm

Kilsby Williams, one of the largest independent tax and accountancy firms in south-east Wales, has made four new appointments to its audit and accountancy team.

Channa Wijesekera joins Kilsby Williams from one of the ‘Big Four’ global accounting firms and will use his external audit, internal audit and special assignments experience to support the firm’s audit specialists as a senior.

Channa said: “I am very grateful to all the Partners of Kilsby Williams for the opportunity given to me. It is a great experience working with diverse people, clients and cultures.”

Joining Channa in the department will be manager Stephanie Pingue, an ACCA qualified business services manager with years of experience working in practice, and seniors Ryan Jeffs and Alex Manton. The trio will be responsible for providing accounts preparation services, including financial statements, year-end accounts, management accounts and VAT returns for a range of clients.

Ryan said: “The future at Kilsby Williams looks really promising; their plans for expansion and growth really give me hope for what’s to come. There are big things to look forward to from the company and I am glad I managed to join at the right time so I can continue my career and grow as they do.”

Simon Tee, managing partner at Kilsby Williams, said: “It is a pleasure to welcome Channa, Stephanie, Ryan and Alex to our audit and accountancy team. Their skills and knowledge strengthens our existing team and will provide a multitude of benefits for our clients. We look forward to seeing them progress in their roles and will do all we can to empower them to maximise their potential.”

Established in 1991, Kilsby Williams works with clients locally in south Wales, extending across the UK and globally. Their clients range from sole traders to international quoted groups.

Accountancy & Accounts, Business News, Leadership

Kilsby Williams announces major Partner promotions

Tax and accountancy specialist Kilsby Williams has announced a major enhancement of its leadership team, doubling its partner group to 11 with six new internal promotions to partner.

Lucy Creese, Stuart Evans, Dafydd Ford, Rob Meredith and Kaye Morris have been promoted from within the firm’s fast growing Tax, Growth and Transactions departments, while Huw Sheppard from the Audit, Accountancy and Payroll teams completes the leadership group.

Simon Tee, managing partner at Kilsby Williams, said: “This is an incredibly exciting time for our business and we are proud that we are able to expand our leadership team with six outstanding internal promotions. We have been growing at a fantastic rate over the last few years and the capabilities and ideas our new partners bring will ensure we can continue to do so in the future.”

The announcement coincides with an exciting new brand identity and website.

The brand refresh has seen the firm retain the respected Kilsby Williams name and diamond logo, supported by a fresh colour palette and updated design across its new website with improved functionality, and at its Newport headquarters.

The website’s significant functionality overhaul now offers existing and prospective clients a seamless experience, showcasing the firm’s tax and accountancy expertise, case studies and thought leadership in a more user-friendly way. The new site allows the firm to better interact with its client base of entrepreneurs, local fast growth businesses, and national and international groups.

Simon Tee added: “With the continued use of the Kilsby Williams name, there is a classic feel to the new branding, representing the firm’s determination to stay true to its history and culture. These have been the bedrock of the firm’s success and made us a recognisable, trusted partner to our varied client portfolio for over 30 years.

“Whilst retaining our heritage, we have also developed a modern, forward-thinking new look that fully embraces the firm’s current evolution and growth as the largest independent firm in the region and improves our clients’ experience.”

Established in 1991, Kilsby Williams works with clients locally in south Wales, extending across the UK and globally. Their clients range from sole traders to international quoted groups.

Appointments, Business, Investment, Newport, South Wales

Kilsby Williams continues to grow with new appointments

Tax and accountancy specialist Kilsby Williams has strengthened its business services and tax teams as the Newport-based firm continues to grow.

Ken Vargis has been appointed as a manager in Kilsby Williams’ business services team. An assurance professional, Ken will be applying his significant auditing expertise to support the firm’s varied client portfolio.

Ken said: “I am elated to be joining Kilsby Williams at such a pivotal point in its growth. I am looking forward to working with new clients, and adding value to their business by providing robust services.”

Joining Ken in the business services team is Hannah Griffiths, a Swansea University accounting and finance graduate.

In her role as business services assistant, Hannah will be involved in the preparation of accounts for a number of clients and assisting with audits, while working towards the ACA qualification to become a chartered accountant and progress further in the firm.

In the tax team, Cardiff University graduate Luis McCarthy has been appointed as a trainee. He will support the team with the preparation of corporation and personal tax returns and will study towards the ATT and CTA exams to become a chartered tax advisor.

Ataf Salim, partner at Kilsby Williams, said: “We are focused on attracting the best accountancy and tax talent at every stage of their careers and are pleased to share the news of our latest appointments ranging from trainee to managerial level.

“As the largest independent firm in the region, it is exciting to grow even further and we know that Ken, Hannah and Luis’ work will strengthen our services.”

Established in 1991, Kilsby Williams works with clients from across south Wales, the Midlands and London, ranging from sole traders to companies in international quoted groups.