Whangarei chartered accounting firms Sumpter Baughen and Peter Hill are to merge, a move which the principals say will broaden the range of premium services available to the extensive client base of both practices.
The merged firms will trade as Sumpter Baughen Chartered Accountants and operate out of the SumpterBaughen offices in Whangarei, Ruawai and Kerikeri, with the same staff and principals - Craig Wells, Steve Ganley (Sumpter Baughen) and Peter Hill.
Both firms are long-established: Sumpter Baughen has been operating in Northland more than 30 years, while Peter Hill has been in sole practice in Whangarei since 1988.
The principals say they will be leveraging off the strong synergies and differing specialist areas of the two firms. Sumpter Baughen has a strong focus on Northland business, iwi-related work and agribusiness; Peter Hill specialises in tax, business advice and investment, particularly in property.
Craig Wells works closely with a number of commercial clients and not-for-profit boards, and manages the firm's agri-business. Steve Ganley, a former tax inspector with the Inland Revenue Department, includes advising legal and other accounting firms on tax matters in his portfolio.
