Our People
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Peter Taaffe: Managing Partner Peter worked for 11 years initially with Deloitte Haskins + Sells (now PwC), qualifying as a Chartered Accountant in their London office on multinational audits before transferring to the Liverpool taxation department. He qualified as an associate member of the Chartered Institute of Taxation, joined Ernst & Young for 5 years before returning to PwC becoming a Senior Tax Manager advising small and large businesses, including partnerships, on corporate and personal tax planning.He joined BWMacfarlane LLP as an equity partner in 1991 and has grown the business from six people to a 22 strong team delivering quality accountancy services. He was treasurer of a substantial charity and chairman of the finance committee for 5 years of a substantial North West housing association with property valued in excess of £150m. He is governor of an independent school in Liverpool.Peter’s blend of skills from his FCA & CTA qualifications and practice experience provides clients with a broad perspective and practical advice. His focus is on improved business performance and enhanced value for clients, working with a variety of SME and charity projects. He has developed specialist knowledge in business culture, managing change in businesses, and the causes of business strategic success and failure. |
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Paul Kurthausen: Senior Tax Partner Paul oversees all our work in the taxation and trust department. He was one of the two original partners in Macfarlane + Co following their demerger in May 1987 from Deloitte Haskins + Sells (now PwC).Paul originally worked for the Inland Revenue, and then the Midland Bank Executor and Trustee Co Ltd in London. He qualified as a Chartered Tax Advisor and is a member of The Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners.Paul now spends the majority of his time advising high net worth clients, and in particular families and their corporate and trust interests. |
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Anne Morris: Audit Partner Anne was one of the original partners in Macfarlane + Co following their demerger in May 1987, and was previously a Small Business Manager with Deloitte Haskins + Sells. She joined Deloitte’s predecessor firm Harmood Banner & Co in 1974, and qualified as a Chartered Accountant on 1978.Before collaborating with Rob and Paul in the formation of Macfarlane + Co, Anne was responsible for all our work in the charity and not for profit sector, in addition to looking after other business clients.Anne was President of the Liverpool Society of Chartered Accountants in 1997, and has held several non-executive appointments, including Deputy Chair of the Liverpool Playhouse, and Chair of the Liverpool Cathedral Centenary Fund. She is a Deputy Lieutenant for Merseyside. |
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Robert Macfarlane: Audit Partner Rob is one of our Audit Partners. He is a graduate of Exeter University, and joined Harmood Banner & Co (the predecessor form to Deloitte Haskins + Sells) in Liverpool in 1969, qualifying as a Chartered Accountant in 1974.Between 1974 and 1978 Rob worked with Deloitte Haskins + Sells Management Consultants in London including six months in North Yemen as Financial Accountant to the National Water and Sewerage Authority of Yemen. On his return to Liverpool, Rob was appointed as a partner, and was responsible for the provision of corporate and taxation services to a portfolio of clients.Rob now looks after our largest audit clients, advises clients (particularly family owned companies) on shareholder structures and other strategic matters, and is also involved with many trusts and charities.Rob has recently completed a lengthy term as treasurer of Local Solutions, and he also acted as treasurer for The Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine. |
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John Elliott: Tax Partner John joined Macfarlane + Co in 2001, having previously worked within the trusts and taxation departments of Pannell Kerr Forster and Baker Tilly.He has over 20 years experience in all aspects of UK taxation work. Having started out dealing with mainly UK taxation compliance for trusts and individuals, he now deals with all areas of UK taxation for corporate entities, individuals and trusts providing specific advice with regard to planning strategies in addition to routine compliance.John is a member of both the Chartered Institute of Taxation and The Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners. |
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Lynn Green: Tax & Trust Partner Lynn is a graduate of Edinburgh University and served articles with Deloitte Haskins + Sells (now PriceWaterhouseCoopers) qualifying as a Chartered Accountant in 1983.She worked as a Junior Manager in the trust department until 1987 when Macfarlane + Co was formed. She was manager of the trust department and became a partner in 2002. She also became a member of The Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners in 1996.Lynn deals with a range of trusts including those whose work includes dealing with day to day administration, preparation of trust accounts and related tax matters. |
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Lesley Malkin: Audit Partner Lesley trained and spent nine years with PwC, qualifying with them as a Chartered Accountant.Her time there included four years as an audit and business development manager in audit and general practice, co-ordinating client service, before joining a 5 partner firm of accountants as an Audit Manager in 1989, arriving at BWMacfarlane LLP in 2000.Lesley has been a director of a charity with annual income of over £1m for many years, acting firstly as honorary treasurer, then as company secretary chairing committees. |
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Sue Stephens: Personal Tax Manager Sue trained with HM Revenue & Customs in 1983 becoming a tax inspector dealing with Revenue investigations. She subsequently qualified as a Chartered Tax Advisor in 1991.Sue left the Revenue to join the tax department of Ernst & Young in Liverpool in 1988, becoming tax manager in charge of their personal tax department before joining BWMacfarlane LLP as tax manager in 1999.With over 20 years working in tax, Sue therefore has extensive experience of all aspects of individual and partnership taxation including tax planning for high net worth individuals and their businesses. |
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Anita Mason BA (Hons), ACA, Audit Manager Anita has recently joined us and has over 18 years of audit and accounts experience, specialising in company & group accounts and the audit of owner-managed businesses and charities. She trained with a large independent firm of accountants, qualifying with them as a Chartered Accountant, before being appointed as a Business Services Group Manager.Anita also has experience of public sector audit from her time with the Audit Commission before joining BWMacfarlane as audit manager.The diversity of work and clients encountered over the years has enabled Anita to gain experience in many different business sectors, as well as specialised jobs such as pension schemes, Solicitors’ Accounts Rules assignments, grant & lottery audits and due diligence assignments. |
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Lisa Lewis: Personal Tax Manager Lisa joined Macfarlane + Co’s Tax Department in 2002, having previously worked for small and medium sized local firms of accountants since leaving college in 1994 and obtained her qualification as a Taxation Technician in 1998. Lisa was promoted to Macfarlane + Co’s Personal Tax Manager in 2007.Lisa’s 17 years experience in Tax has gained her a wide range of knowledge in all aspects of personal taxation, including individuals, sole traders and partnerships, together with knowledge and experience in payroll. Lisa’s role at Macfarlane + Co, in addition to ensuring the smooth running of the Tax Department, her time is predominantly spent looking after the firms High Net Worth clients. |
