Duncan & Toplis Tax Advisers Earn STEP Diplomas

News release

28th August 2012

Two tax advisers from Duncan & Toplis have become members of a worldwide body of specialists in providing professional advice in the areas of trust and estate planning.

Donna Parsons, from the Duncan & Toplis office in Grantham, and Carolyn Byrne, who works at the firm’s Lincoln and Newark offices, have both earned a diploma from the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP).

STEP diplomas demonstrate expertise in helping families secure their long-term financial future while helping them comply with tax rules relating to estates and inheritance.

Donna and Carolyn are the first tax advisers from Duncan & Toplis to earn a STEP diploma, as the qualifications are more usually taken by solicitors.

“This diploma is very important to me because it shows expertise and backs up my existing qualifications in inheritance tax areas,” said Carolyn.

Carolyn has worked for Duncan & Toplis since 2000. She had previously worked for various national firms of accountants in Nottingham.

“This diploma will enhance the services we can provide to clients, because it evidences a higher level of our expertise in these mainly family focused areas.”

Donna began her career after she completed her A-levels, when she worked for accountants Kirk Cree & Jepson and Clear & Lane and business advisory firm Cooper Parry. She joined Duncan & Toplis 11 years ago.

“This diploma will give clients that extra bit of confidence and hopefully it will increase the volume of work taken on by the practice,” said Donna.

“I did the diploma because it represents a natural progression in my career. It is also going to help the practice as it underlines the expertise which we can offer in long-term family finance in Grantham,” she said.

Adrian Reynolds, Managing Partner at Duncan & Toplis, commented: “We are very pleased that Donna and Carolyn have achieved this prestigious accolade, which is a testament to their dedication and hard work.

“Advising clients on estate and inheritance matters is an important part of the service we provide to our clients and we are delighted that Donna and Carolyn will now be able to put their new skills into practice.”

Notes to editors

• Duncan & Toplis was established in 1925 and has since grown into one of the largest independent firms of chartered accountants in the Midlands.
• The company has 10 offices throughout the East Midlands: in Grantham, Boston, Lincoln, Louth, Melton Mowbray, Newark, Skegness, Sleaford, Spalding and Stamford.
• Duncan & Toplis offers a wide range of services to small to large-sized family businesses, from accountancy, audit and tax to payroll, human resources and computer services.
• The business employs around 300 staff, of whom 85 are currently engaged in professional training.
• The Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP) is a world-renowned professional body for accountants specialising in families’ long-term financial planning and tax issues surrounding inheritance.

Cerri Delaney
Shooting Star PR
01522 528540
cerri@shootingstar-pr.co.uk
www.shootingstar-pr.co.uk
t: @cerridelaney

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