Wbg forecasts 30% surge in tax fees following VAT launch and UK-Ireland expansion
The full-service practice cites specialist indirect tax capabilities and new regional markers as key drivers for growth, building on a history of double-digit annual revenue increases.
Full-service accountancy practice Wbg anticipates a 30% increase in tax fee income, driven by the introduction of a specialist value-added tax advisory service and a strategic geographic expansion. The firm, which has historically recorded annual revenue growth of 10 to 15%, has significantly bolstered its senior leadership team, expanding from one to three tax partners to support its evolving service offerings.
The expanded tax leadership now includes Catherine McManus, head of Wbg Tax, Shehzad Ashaq, who was recently promoted internally to corporate tax partner, and Keith Miller, the firm’s indirect tax head. Miller leads the new VAT-focused offering, bringing expertise in land and property, parking, online transactions, financial services including mergers and acquisitions, and cross-border work.
McManus attributed the firm’s ability to scale these operations to private equity investment from N4 Partners, the majority shareholder of Wbg. She noted that the backing has allowed the firm to tap into N4’s broader ecosystem, securing significant growth for its tax offering both geographically and through the addition of specialist expertise.
The expansion includes establishing location markers in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Ayrshire, Lanarkshire, Manchester, and Dublin. McManus stated that these new footholds are vital for providing seamless support to clients operating across regional, national, and international markets, particularly those navigating complex commercial regimes.
Ashaq’s promotion focuses on advising entrepreneurs and the small and medium-sized enterprise market, offering clients combined corporate and personal tax planning capabilities. The three partners and their teams now advise a diverse range of clients, from owner-operated businesses and large corporates to private individuals.
Looking ahead, Wbg plans further investment in specialist services to support this foundation. McManus emphasised that this commitment to practical, commercial support is designed to help ambitious clients flourish in competitive markets, regardless of their location.
