More than 120 jobs have been created in Glasgow by professional services firm KPMG in the last 12 months as its UK Tax Centre of Excellence marks its first birthday since opening last summer.
The Centre, which opened officially on 1 July 2013, was established to handle tax compliance work from KPMG's 22 offices across the UK. It is involved in the important job of ensuring for a client - either an individual or a company - that their tax returns are in full compliance with all applicable tax regulations and that the necessary information has been given with required supporting evidence.
In its first year, the Centre has submitted more than 6,000 tax returns.
Glasgow was chosen from a shortlist of five other UK cities because of its access to highly-skilled professionals, links with academic institutions and the availability of quality city-centre office accommodation.
KPMG has forged strong ties with the University of Strathclyde and Glasgow Caledonian University, including the hiring of around 20 undergraduates working part-time while they study towards their degrees.
The Centre is on track with its job growth strategy, expecting to increase staff numbers this year, and has adopted a wide range of flexible working practices, attracting highly experienced tax professionals from a variety of backgrounds such as parent returners.
KPMG continues to look at innovative ways of attracting people to join the Centre and support the local community. Apprentices will form part of the next recruitment drive with the launch of a pilot programme of six school leavers joining the firm as part of the Higher Apprenticeship in Professional Services. The chosen candidates will study for two years towards an Association of Taxation Technicians qualification and will form an important part of KPMG's ongoing investment in the future of the Centre.
The Centre is also contributing to the legacy of Glasgow's sporting summer. Swimmer Ross Muir, who will compete this summer, has been gaining work experience with KPMG as part of the Athlete Career Enhancement programme run by the Centre's appointed recruitment agency Search Consulting. Ross has recently completed an honours degree in accounting from the University of Stirling and has accepted the offer of a position with the Centre from August.
David Skinner, Tax Partner and Head of the UK Tax Centre of Excellence, said: "We have enjoyed a strong first year and our decision to locate the Centre in Glasgow has paid off. We have made a significant investment in a high quality working environment and this combined with interesting career and flexible working opportunities, has enabled us to successfully recruit from a strong pool of talent locally, as well as attract a large number of people into the city.
"The continued growth in the next year means we will continue to increase staff numbers and we are currently recruiting at all levels in a wide variety of roles across all tax areas. Our new recruits tell us it is an exciting time to join a growing business at the forefront of client service."
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