Contact: Keith Jones
Deloitte
Managing Partner
08 9365 7160

Contact: Ian Crisp
Corporate Tax Consulting
Managing Director
08 9489 7009

The Perth office of Deloitte has bolstered its resources expertise today announcing a merger with Corporate Tax Consulting, a boutique resources-focused tax practice in Perth, and the appointment of two new partners.

Headed by former Ernst and Young Partner Ian Crisp and former PricewaterhouseCooper’s tax advisor, Fiona Cahill, Corporate Tax Consulting has built a significant business focused on providing tax advice to the resources sector.

Founded in February 2004 by Mr Crisp, Corporate Tax Consulting has grown from 20 clients to more than 200 including servicing many key Western Australian companies over the last two years.

Effective 1 April 2006, Corporate Tax Consulting will operate under the Deloitte banner from the Woodside Plaza building.

Mr Crisp and Ms Cahill will take up the role as Tax Partners with specialist expertise in the oil and gas sector, mining, international tax advice and mergers and acquisitions.

Post merger, Deloitte’s Perth office will have 19 partners and more than 250 employees including the team from Corporate Tax Consulting of eight people.

Deloitte Managing Partner Keith Jones said the combined entity will bring together some of the most experienced resources tax advisors in Perth.

"Deloitte welcomes the team from Corporate Tax Consulting as an important addition to service our client’s needs. We’re delighted to have a group of experts to strengthen Deloitte’s growing position and goal to become the dominant force in the Perth resources sector," Mr Jones said.

Corporate Tax Consulting Managing Director Ian Crisp said it was important for existing clients that the merged entity integrates the personal touch of the way CTC does business.

"We chose to merge with Deloitte, because of its similar approach to client service," Mr Crisp said.

"As our clients’ grow, it’s important for us to maintain momentum and be able to provide the full suite of tax-related services. Having worked as senior members of large accounting groups, Fiona and I are very aware of the opportunity in the market to operate as a boutique practice with the support of a multinational.

"Tax advice to the resources sector is an area of the market we’re capturing and the merger with Deloitte will enable our team to integrate and grow this business," Mr Crisp concluded.

Deloitte Head Tax Partner Anthony Cipriano said that consolidation was a growing trend in the professional services market. "Recently, a number of Perth specialist advisors have merged their businesses with larger entities to create growth through access to a larger talent pool and resources," Mr Cipriano said.

"This merger will be beneficial for clients of both Deloitte and Corporate Tax Consulting, as it strengthens our existing team and enables us provide services for new projects."