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Practice Excellence: Go big, but stay focused

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25th Apr 2016
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Throughout its rapid ascent, BKL’s key to success has been retaining the granular focus of a smaller practice, said Myfanwy Neville, head of property and real estate at BKL.

For a large practice, BKL retains a familiar cast of characters. Neville has been at the firm for 16 years, and almost half of BKL’s clientele have been with them for a decade. This consistency was one of the deciding factors that clinched BKL’s victory in the ‘Large Practice of the Year’ at last year’s Practice Excellence Awards.

BKL has seemingly retained the spirit of a small practice, especially when it comes to client service. One of their novel features is a dedicated team of tax experts. These individuals do nothing but tax consultancy.

The team is populated by experts in all kinds of facets of taxation. From the abstruse to the mainstream, BKL’s clients have direct access to a glossary of expertise. Compliance is streamlined, done accurately and efficiently, but BKL finds its niche in this specialised network of tax consultants, explained Neville.

The consultancy team enables BKL to effectively serve high net worth clients that frequently have complex affairs. These tax consultants also help other accountants who may be unsure of how to deal with a difficult tax query.

“Many firms dabble in certain fields, but never establish the base of expertise necessary to really service specialised clients,” said Neville. “For example, we brought in a tax expert from BDO, Andrew Levene, last year, and all he does, all day, is property tax.”

The rebrand

BKL started its life as Berg Kaprow Lewis. In everyday parlance though, the firm was designated as BKL by clients. The practice officially rebranded and accepted its informal moniker.

“It was a simplification more than anything else,” said Neville. “Our vision for growing the practice was to double in size in five years, something we’re on track to achieve by next year.

“To achieve that growth, though, we realised that we needed a brand we could sit under comfortably. Instead of just the name of people – and none of those partners are here anymore – we wanted an identity that encompassed the whole practice.

“When you become a large practice, it’s not just about individuals anymore.”

Challenge yourself

BKL’s impressive growth has also brought its share of challenges, Neville explained. “We’ve brought in lots of new people with lots of new ideas. The practice had to learn to work together with other people.”

These growing pains were important for BKL, however. According to Neville, it forced the practice out of its comfortable orbit. “Just because something is comfortable, doesn’t mean it’s right,” said Neville, referring to the need for a practice to constantly challenge itself.

With the end of their five year growth plan in sight, BKL is now putting on the brakes slightly. “It can be very tempting when you’re moving fast to keep going,” said Neville.

“We’ve grown very fast – and we’ve got to a point where we recognise it's time to consolidate. To make sure that we grow in a sensible way, so we can keep looking after our clients effectively.”

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By justsotax
26th Apr 2016 09:29

think it

started life as berg 'kaprow' lewis not Kaplan....

Thanks (2)
Richard Hattersley
By Richard Hattersley
27th Apr 2016 11:58

Thanks Justsotax

Thanks for letting us know. We have made the change in the article. 

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