MORE than 40 years of accountancy experience has been consolidated as two York firms join forces.

Hare & Co Ltd and David J. Flower & Co Ltd have announced a merger deal in a bid to combine a client base of more than 500 customers across Yorkshire.

The businesses will operate together under the name Hare & Co (Incorporating David J. Flower & Co), co-directors Linda Hare and David Flower supported by practice manager Jill Anfield and a team of eight staff members.

Over the next year, the business is looking to widen its client base and is now actively recruiting to increase staffing levels accordingly.

Linda Hare, who established Hare & Co in 2003 after leaving Clive Owen & Company, said: "The businesses have similar customer profiles and operate with the same ethos, namely offering a professional service but with a personal touch. So working together as one practice makes complete sense.

"We will continue to offer that same personal touch but staff and clients alike will benefit from the additional support of the combined team.

"Ultimately, operations will be strengthened on both sides, ensuring the future stability of services offered to all customers and enabling us to offer a more comprehensive service to all."

David Flower, who's business has operated within the York area for 30 years, added: "Linda Hare and I have known each other for a number of years and worked together on many joint projects during this time.

"We are now both looking forward to pooling our expertise and resources, including specialist services such as tax investigation."

The combined practice will operate from Horizon Court in Clifton Moor and staff responsibilities will remain the same in a bit to ensure a seamless transition of service for clients of both businesses.