AN AWARD-winning accountancy firm has stepped on to the global stage, having been selected to represent one of the largest accountancy networks in the world.

Rabjohns Business and Tax Advisers has become a member of Kreston International, a network of independent accountancy firms represented in 65 countries.

Rabjohns, based in College Yard, Worcester, was the winner of the Best Service Company award in the Herefordshire and Worcestershire Business Festival Awards, in March, organised by the Chamber of Commerce.

It has also been short-listed for the Best Tax Team in a Small Firm, in the Butterworth Tolley UK Tax Awards.

Successful

Ian Smith, managing director, said Rabjohns had joined Kreston because it was dealing more and more with clients with overseas interests.

"We act for a number of UK subsidiaries of foreign groups and we have a wide range of successful clients who are expanding into overseas markets," he said.

"Membership of Kreston gives us the opportunity to introduce our clients to quality advisers with local knowledge who we can trust."

He said Rabjohns would advise overseas Kreston clients coming to the West Midlands, and would meet fellow Kreston members at conferences in the UK and Europe.

"This is an important and exciting step for us," said Mr Smith.

"It is the first time in our 68-year history that we have had overseas representation. Our membership does not alter our ownership or management, as all the member firms are fiercely independent.

"But it does allow us to have a better view on world events, both from a trading perspective for our clients, and from a regulatory perspective, as international standards of accounting are brought into force."

He said the new arrangement with Kreston, which is one of the 20 largest accountancy organisations in the world, would also have benefits for the staff.

"Rabjohns is already well-known as a role model employer for its size," said Mr Smith, adding the 45-employee firm had been a pilot case for the Work Life Balance module of the Investors in People scheme.

"For example, we have had had quarterly visits from a reflexologist, for all our team, for the last 12 years!

"Now the Kreston membership will give our team the opportunity to take secondments with other firms around the world."