Expanding accountancy and law firm takes over Stroud tax business

An ambitious accountancy and law firm has announced the takeover of a Gloucestershire tax specialist just days after opening a Cheltenham office, revealing it is also recruiting.

By Andrew Merrell  |  Published

Barely a fortnight ago it was announcing its expansion into Gloucestershire and now it is taking over a county accountancy firm and looking for more staff as it continues its march of progress.

After opening a new office in Cheltenham, Optimum Professional Services, an accountancy and law firm, has now taken over Stroud-based Chris Mattos Tax.

Founder Chris Mattos is ‘seeking to step back to pursue other interests’, with two members of his team joining Optimum and the firm actively recruiting for both its legal and accountancy divisions.

‘We are very excited to be taking over Chris’s business and looking forward to working with his clients, whether they need our help with accountancy, or legal services or – as is increasingly the case – both,’ said Rob Stokes, audit and accounts director at Optimum and a name known to many in the county as a former face of county firm Randall & Payne until September 2019.

Optimum’s assurance and accounts manager, Hannah Matthews, and its accounts director, Michael Blaken, have also worked in Gloucestershire and already have a large client base in the county.

Mr Blaken said: ‘We are delighted that Chris chose to entrust Optimum with the business he has grown so successfully.

‘We felt it was a very good fit for us, as we share a similar ethos and values, and the added bonus for Chris’s clients is that they will now have easy access to our legal division as we strive to provide a seamless service.’

Mr Stokes, who will continue in his other role, as head of group finance for i6 Group, said: ‘We didn’t want to find just a safe pair of hands for clients to move to, we wanted accountants who listen to the issues our clients need help within their business life, personal life and family life and to match their services to suit clients’ needs.
‘In Optimum we believe we have found this fit.’

Optimum offers accountancy, audit and business services (including payroll and bookkeeping) and on the legal side specialises in commercial and residential property law, wills and probate.

The Swindon-headquartered firm was founded in 2017.

By Andrew Merrell


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