REGIONAL chartered accountants firm Larking Gowen has continued its expansion with the acquisition of Ipswich based Manning & Girling. The move sees Roger Girling become a partner of Larking Gowen and all his 18 staff will also move across to the firm.

REGIONAL chartered accountants firm Larking Gowen has continued its expansion with the acquisition of Ipswich based Manning & Girling.

The move sees Roger Girling become a partner of Larking Gowen and all his 18 staff will also move across to the firm.

In addition, David King, a partner currently based at Larking Gowen's Fakenham office, will move to the new Ipswich operation. He joined Larking Gowen in 1990, qualified as an associate of the Chartered Institute of Taxation in 1993 and was made a partner in 2001.

“As a practice Larking Gowen is dedicated to becoming the first choice for independent business and taxation advice in East Anglia and we are delighted to welcome Roger and his team,” said Bob Rose, Larking Gowen's managing partner.

“Roger's operation is an ideal fit for us, as we both concentrate on giving the best possible service to owner-managed businesses as well as taxation advice. We very much look forward to expanding our business through Ipswich and Suffolk.”

Manning & Girling was set up in 1984 and has operated from its offices on Falcon Street since 1988, where it has specialised in working with owner-managed businesses and charities as well as offering taxation advice to individuals.

“For some time I believed the right way to take the business forward was to look to merge with an established local firm which would offer benefits to both clients and staff,” said Mr Girling.

“I think the deal with Larking Gowen is the perfect match; they are an East Anglian firm determined to stay independent and have considerable technical expertise in house which I am sure will be of benefit to our 500 or so clients.”

Mr King added: “These are very exciting times for Larking Gowen and I am greatly looking forward to moving to Ipswich and helping to drive the business forward.”

Larking Gowen is an independent practice, established for more than 100 years, and is one of the UK's top 50 accountancy firms. Last year it acquired chartered accountants Martin Wright & Co in Colchester and Unica Ltd, an accountancy and specialist corporate tax company, based in Claydon, near Ipswich.

The latest acquisition takes the firm's number of offices across Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex to 10, with the firm having 21 partners and nearly 300 staff.

“Having Roger Girling and his team is an excellent way to help us with our growth plans,” said Mr Rose. “He runs a well respected practice and with the extra resources we can bring we believe it is an excellent formula for the future.

“We are committed to remaining as an independent firm and our roots have always been in looking after owner-managed companies, partnerships and individuals with highest possible levels of client satisfaction.”