The TaxAssist Group
The TaxAssist group comprises of accountancy franchising support and marketing, and direct-to-client professional services business.
In 2014, a Franchisee assisted Management team Buyout (FaMBO) of all TaxAssist businesses completed with the new company The TaxAssist Direct Group Ltd acquiring 100% of the business, believed to be the UK’s first such deal of its kind. Since then, following the creation of an internal share trading platrom to which all eligible shareholders have access to, franchisees have been able to trade shares, access company accounts, and the group strategic plans for the future.
In 2022, TaxAssist Direct Group Directors Karl Sandall and Phil Sullivan, stood down as executive directors and sold a large percentage of their shares. As a result, TaxAssist franchisees now own almost 60% of The TaxAssist Group Ltd. Over 170 franchisees are now investors in the group, alongside over 40 members of support staff, which represents the co-operative relationship we have in place.
The following companies are subsidiaries of The TaxAssist Direct Group Ltd:
TaxAssist Direct Ltd
TaxAssist Direct Ltd is the franchisor for the UK TaxAssist Accountants network and owner of all The TaxAssist Group intellectual property and trademarks. This company was first established in 1995 and originally developed a strong brand and a robust business model that is the TaxAssist Accountants franchise offering in the UK. Each franchisee provides a comprehensive range of accountancy, taxation and advisory services to small and medium sized businesses (self-employed, sole traders, partnerships and limited companies) and personal income taxpayers. Click here for further information
Client facing website: www.taxassist.co.uk
Franchise recruitment website: www.taxassistfranchise.co.uk
TaxAssist Direct Services Ltd
TaxAssist Direct Services Ltd was created in 2019 to offer two key services for UK franchisees. TaxAssist Direct Services Ltd first developed a TaxAssist Accountants-branded payroll bureau service for TaxAssist Accountants’ clients, based at the UK Support Centre. Using the latest technology, the payroll services are run through a leading cloud-based portal, providing enhanced functionality for the franchisee, the client and their employees. This is part of the quality, technology-led offering to the UK network and their clients, as well as supporting increased profitability for franchisees’ businesses.
The company then created an in-house tax consulting service to place alongside current partners based at the UK Support Centre. There is significant potential to develop services and products that fit the needs of existing clients, as well as providing an opportunity to attract new clients who are interested in tax planning services.
Tax Consulting by TaxAssist client facing website - www.taxassistconsulting.co.uk
TaxAssist Direct Financial Services Ltd
In 2021, the TaxAssist Group created a new company titled TaxAssist Direct Financial Services Ltd. The Group is aware that practices can generate significant commissions from financial planning work and expect this to become more relevant as clients look for more rounded and joined up advice on connected topics. The Group sees an opportunity in this area and TaxAssist Direct Financial Services Ltd has been set up to provide financial planning to clients though its network of franchisees.
Client facing website: www.taxassistfinancialplanning.co.uk
TaxAssist Direct Ireland Ltd
In 2009, TaxAssist awarded its first Master Franchise License to the Republic of Ireland (ROI). The Master Franchise Rights were awarded to an established accounting practice (principals being Certified Public Accountants) that was already successful in its own right, but wanted to grow nationally and saw the value in the TaxAssist brand, experience and support. In 2017, the original Master Franchisee retired, and the rights were acquired by The TaxAssist Direct Group Ltd. A new company was created: TaxAssist Direct Ireland Ltd and is run by Managing Director Alison McGinley backed up by the TaxAssist Accountants Ireland Support Centre team and the Group Support Centre team in Norwich, UK. Click here for further information
Client facing website: www.taxassist.ie
Franchise recruitment website: www.taxassistfranchise.ie
TaxAssist Direct London Ltd
In 2020, The TaxAssist Group created TaxAssist Direct London Ltd to operate as a franchisee operation in central London with the purpose of developing the central London postcodes. Gary Bugdale FCCA, who joined us from Price Bailey, was appointed as Managing Director to run the operation. The first shop is now open and trading in Farringdon with more locations planned to open across this territory.
Client facing website: www.taxassist.co.uk/farringdon
Franchisee Case Studies
Janet Mclean
Ali Redwood
Kam & Sejal Sira
Lewis Jones
Gary Cullen
Cameron Allan and Steven Mearns
Accreditations & ethics
The Group abides by the ethics of the British Franchise Association (bfa) and works closely with all relevant accountancy and tax professional bodies and institutions. TaxAssist Accountants is also a member of the Irish Franchise Association and the Franchise Council of Australia (FCA).