BDO Stoy Hayward has turned a series of crackdowns by the tax man in the UK and overseas to its advantage by expanding its tax practice and offering new services.

BDO, which is the UK’s sixth biggest accounting firm by income, has added 100 tax professionals over the past year and doubled the size of its private client team. BDO has also expanded its ‘transfer pricing’ advice team in response to increased demand from clients.

The firm’s client satisfaction rating rose from 7.7 to 8.3 over the past year reflecting a strong year for the firm. Revenues grew by 25.75% to £105m, beating the firm’s 20.5% target.

As well as recruiting more staff BDO also expanded its tax function by acquiring Chiltern in October 2007 and Lines Wilson in March this year. These acquisitions helped expand BDO’s client base of corporates and rich individuals and gave it a bigger presence along the south coast of England.

The tax practice was restructured to focus on key service areas, while communication with clients was improved through a tax update newsletter and monthly email. Staff workshops were held to generate new ideas to improve customer service and to swap ideas and discuss topical tax issues.

The judges said: ‘This is a team that’s produced great growth in revenues and demonstrated real ambition, especially with its acquisition strategy. There’s real commitment to the clients and a well-honed focus on what they are attempting to do demonstrating real clarity of thought.’

Personal touch

BDO, founded in 1903 as Stoy & Co, has more than 600 offices in 100 countries. It’s goal for 2007/08 was: ‘To become the first choice professional services firm, to grow our tax function significantly and to offer clients a more proactive service based on strong personal relationships.’