Success stories

1. How IAPA was instrumental in helping Price Bailey build new international business

 Yes, IAPA was instrumental in Price Bailey’s acquisition of Colin Pickard’s business in Guernsey. In fact you could say Susan Humphry (IAPA’s CEO) was instrumental.

I attended my first IAPA conference in Berlin, May 2007, after being invited by Susan when we met at the UK200 Group conference in Glasgow, November 2006. I had not realised that all UK200 Group members could attend IAPA conferences but having received my personal invitation from Susan, I not only attended but I also presented at the conference leading a discussion on “Change Management”.

I enjoyed the conference immensely and amongst many great people, I met Colin Pickard. During a coffee break, Colin also got to know Price Bailey. Colin told me he was extremely busy in Guernsey, everything was going well in his business but as a sole practitioner he struggled to recruit the right people and as a result he was not able to exploit all the opportunities which came his way. In response I said we at Price Bailey also struggle to recruit the right people but as we employ over 200 professionals, I was sure we could help by lending him good staff.  Within two months we had a qualified accountant seconded for 6 weeks working for Colin Pickard in Guernsey and over the next two years we regularly seconded team members ranging from one to six weeks at a time. During these two years we got to know Colin Pickard, his business and the Guernsey market very well. Perfect due diligence! After a while it became apparent it would make great sense for Colin Pickard to join Price Bailey.

A deal was discussed and agreed, new offices were found in St Peter Port and on 1 August 2009 Price Bailey opened its first international office, with Colin Pickard as the resident partner.  Since August 2009 the office has gone from strength to strength. The office has doubled in size from 7 to 14 professional team members, it provides a full range of services from audit to business strategy, we also now have a fiduciary license and we  expect the office to continue to grow, with its strong links to our City of London office.  So in summary, if I had not attended the IAPA conference in Berlin during 2007, I would not have met Colin Pickard and Price Bailey would not now have it first international office in Guernsey. Thank you IAPA and Susan!

Martin Clapson, Price Bailey, London, UK

 2. How IAPA enabled our largest client to expand abroad

Recently our largest client expanded operations into Canada, and our IAPA connections were key in starting off this effort on the right foot. This Company recycles appliances and operates in most of the states in the USA. They have just obtained a contract to recycle appliances in two Canadian provinces and plan to expand from there.

Since the initial operations will be in Ontario, I called Marion MacDonald in Toronto.  Marion and I have become well acquainted, with both of us having been at most IAPA conventions in the past three years. Within 24 hours, Marion and her tax supervisor, Dora Mariani, provided detailed information on the three types of entity for American firms operating in Canada, licensing rules, tax advice, and GST information. The client was then able to narrow his choices down and direct his Canadian attorney to form the Canadian Subsidiary and begin the licensing processes. 

Mission accomplished—and our client was very impressed!

Roger Werner, Werner O’Meara & Co PLLC, Seattle, Washington, USA

3. Global Success - How our firm has benefitted from our IAPA membership

Clark Howes is a UK based, multi office firm (including London) specialising in the full range of accounting, audit, tax and due diligence services for a considerable number of clients in the Business 2 Business arena.

As members of IAPA for over 6 years we have used the networking opportunities of numerous European, US and International conferences to forge solid relationships with member firms throughout the world.  We have used these relationships to assist clients in their growth plans and specific projects. We have selected 3 projects from previous years that may give member firms examples of how our solid IAPA relationships have helped us and our clients. 

1. We were asked by a Californian client specialising in the high-tec simulation industry to discover what public records we could obtain on their 3 main competitors. Using European member firms in France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Scandinavia and Holland we obtained extensive data held by the different Government bodies available. With the language challenges we could not have undertaken this without these member firms’ skills and determination.

2. An Austin, Texas client had expansion plans in Singapore, Japan and Scandinavia and needed quality firms to take on local accounting responsibilities. We were able to provide 2 member firms and a referral to help in their growth. Even when they were acquired last year, we assisted the acquirer with due-diligence data and information and we have been retained to help with further projects.

 3. Last year an international Australian group based near Melbourne, requested our help in a European consolidation project and the recommendation of new accountants in France and Germany. We facilitated new Transfer Pricing Agreements, worked with lawyers to reduce overheads in 2 European offices and successfully recommended Fidu Rive Gauche in Paris and Treu Gmbh in Frankfurt who have each taken on this client in their respective counties. The positive impressions made by Michel Sudit and Dieter Sohr helped us enormously in assisting the client to successfully completed this project on time and on budget.

Diane Prestland, Clark Howes, Oxford, UK.