The Business Magazine: Audit, tax and consulting firm RSM has appointed Sarah Turgoose as a private client partner to strengthen its Southampton tax team.  Turgoose joins RSM from Deloitte, bringing over 16 years’ experience working with private clients providing wide ranging tax advice to entrepreneurs, their families, businesses and family trusts.

Full story: https://www.businessmag.co.uk/southampton-rsm-appoints-new-ex-deloitte-partner/

High probate fees slammed as stealth tax

Accounting Web: A committee of the House of Lords has raised serious concerns over government plans to increase probate fees by up to 2,690% from April 2019.

Full story: https://www.accountingweb.co.uk/tax/personal-tax/high-probate-fees-slammed-as-stealth-tax

BDO to merge with Moore Stephens

Accountancy Age: BDO is in advanced merger discussions with business services company Moore Stephens. The new company will have a turnover of £590 million and employ 5,000 staff, in London, Reading, Birmingham and Bristol. It plans to be the leader in advising the UK’s entrepreneurial mid-sized businesses but will also challenge its larger competitors for more complex audit, tax and advisory work.

Full story: https://www.accountancyage.com/2018/11/26/bdo-to-merge-with-moore-stephens/

KPMG UK hits highest growth rate since 2008

ICAEW: After what could be called its annus horribilis, KPMG UK is ending the year on a high, reporting fee income up 8% from £2.17bn to £2.34bn and underlying profit up 18% to £356m.

Full story: https://economia.icaew.com/news/december-2018/kpmg-uk-hits-highest-growth-rate-since-2008

HMRC can examine taxpayers' personal bank account statements

STEP: HMRC can demand sight of taxpayers' private bank statements if it believes their declared business income does not support their private cash outgoings, the First-tier Tax Tribunal has found.

Full story: https://www.step.org/news/hmrc-can-examine-taxpayers-personal-bank-account-statements