- "In the last 20 years our business has changed considerably…and as the focus of our business has changed, Bird Luckin have moved with us."
Alex Tanner, George Tanner (Shalford) Ltd - "Bird Luckin has looked after us incredibly well for over 60 years, they are pro-active and innovational - meeting all our needs to help us achieve our aims."
Richard Stubbings, Cliffords Limited - "I can honestly say that Bird Luckin are the best firm of accountants and auditors I have ever dealt with - and I don't say that lightly!"
Colin Webb, Walthamstow Stadium - "It's important for us to know that we will always be able to contact the right people to give us the right advice and support."
Jane Bennett, Bennetts Funeral Directors - "Although we deal mainly with one Partner … we also know that if we need to contact someone else who is a specialist in another area, we can get the advice we need quickly and easily"
Jeremy Ruggles, J.S. Wright & Sons Ltd - "Bird Luckin got us to a stage which would have taken us months - if not years - to reach on our own, and they got us there in a matter of weeks"
Matthew Sullivan, SNC Ltd - "You can be a good accountant, but if you don't have an understanding of the industry it can be very difficult. "There are two or three people we have regular contact with at Bird Luckin who know our business well, and it makes a difference.""
Robert Church, W A Church (Bures) Ltd - "The work which Bird Luckin has done for Boddingtons over the past few months has helped shape our future direction for the better."
John Warner, Chief Executive, Boddingtons Ltd - "Bird Luckin has acted for us since our inception 10 years ago. They have a very 'can do' yet highly professional attitude - we are very appreciative of their support and advice over the years."
Marlon Fox, Outlook Property Ltd
Venture capital investments between EU countries causing tax issues
A consultation into tax problems arising from venture capital investment made across different EU states has been launched by the European Commission (EC).
It follows a report made in 2010 which found that differences between the tax systems of the 27 EU member states were causing double taxation, legal and administrative uncertainty for cross border investments.
The EC said that such problems 'could hinder the full development of the venture capital market in Europe and therefore compromise the provision of financing to the EU's most innovative small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).'
Venture capital provides early-stage financing to innovative and high growth companies, particularly SMEs, who face difficulties in obtaining credit. Governments across the EU hope the scheme will generate economic growth and new jobs.
Investors in return receive a proportion of the company's shares and often generous tax reliefs on investments - UK investors receive a 30 per cent income tax relief on shares and may also be exempt from paying capital gains tax.
Calling SMEs the 'backbone of the EU's economy, the EC's Algirdas Šemeta said it was the 'collective responsibility of the Commission and Member States to find solutions to tax obstacles that hinder cross-border venture capital within the EU.'
EU member states already have an agreed structure in place to try and prevent double taxation that allocates taxing rights to certain countries. However, the EC said that the complexity of commercial structures used in venture capital means they cannot always be applied.
The consultation is calling for examples of tax problems affecting businesses in order to assess the impact of additional cost to investors and SMEs and develop solutions.
It is encouraging members of the public, businesses and tax professionals to air their views.
The consultation is open until 5 November, with the EC hoping to develop or implement new policy by 2013.