A MERGER between two York accountancy firms has been announced.

BHP, one of Yorkshire’s largest independent firm of chartered accountants, is to join forces with family-run Atkinsons Consulting Limited.

The move marks further expansion into York for Sheffield-headquartered BHP after it acquired Barron and Barron in 2013, taking on their offices in Micklegate.

The firm, which also has offices in Leeds, Cleckheaton and Chesterfield, will now take on Atkinsons, which was founded in 2000 and is based at The Innovation Centre at York Science Park.

Atkinsons’ eight strong team is headed up by father and son team Peter and Chris Atkinson, who have built a reputation as a market leader for cloud accounting in the North of England, being recognised by software company Xero as a gold partner.

Atkinsons will combine with BHP’s existing cloud based business, Figuresout Limited, and will eventually trade under that name following a transition period.

John Warner, managing partner of BHP, said: “I have been very impressed by the way in which Peter and Chris Atkinson have used value focussed technology to grow both their own and their clients’ businesses.

“It is an ideal fit for our strategy of providing the full range of financial and accountancy services that growing businesses need, and will further cement our position as the business advisory firm of choice in the region.”

BHP, which now employs more than 300 people, has announced plans to move from its Micklegate office later this year as it seeks larger premises in the city. The Atkinsons team will join BHP in the new offices once a site has been found, until which it will continue to operate from York Science Park.

Peter Atkinson said: “We have recognised that we need to offer our clients the widest possible range of services so that they can continue to grow and develop.

“By merging with BHP we will be able to provide our cloud accounting solution to a broader range of clients and build on our success of using technology to make a real difference to business owners, whilst continuing to deliver the highest standards of service.”