Date of issue: 3rd May 2005

SECOND MIDLANDS ACCOUNTANCY AWARD FOR CLEMENT KEYS

Chartered accountants Clement Keys, Birmingham is celebrating winning a Midlands accountancy award for the second time in the space of just three years.

The Edgbaston-based firm was voted Accountancy Firm of the Year (up to 10 partners) in a series of annual awards presented by the Birmingham and West Midlands Society of Chartered Accountants (BWMSCA).

The awards acknowledge the quality of service provided within the region and the overall calibre of the individuals that constitute the Midlands accountancy community.

Clement Keys, Birmingham was runner up in the category last year, having first won
the award in 2003. The firm was judged on several criteria, including business development, staff training and care, service to clients and an innovative approach
to business.

Managing partner Michael Meakin received the award from BBC Breakfast News anchorman Dermot Murnaghan at a ceremony at the ICC on April 15.

He said: "Winning this award has given the whole firm a boost, but it is particularly gratifying to be acclaimed by our peers, and we would like to thank the firms and individuals who are members of the Birmingham and West Midlands Society of Chartered Accountants for their endorsement.

"Recent expansion of our practice means we now have more than 10 partners, so we are planning to make the most of this award because we realise that next year we will be squaring up to some very different opposition!"

Originally established in the Midlands in 1885, Clement Keys, Birmingham offers a number of specialist services to SMEs, including taxation planning, pension schemes auditing, charities support and European and Local Authority auditing.

The firm recently gained three new partners and several staff from well-respected local practice Felton & Co, increasing its overall size to 90 staff plus 13 partners.