FROM magicians to manufacturers - one North Yorkshire firm is helping to solve their tax headaches - and enjoying rapid expansion as a result.

South Milford-based Gilbert Tax has recently won a national award in recognition of its performance and is eyeing up a rosy future.

The company provides services for companies subject to tax investigations or HMRC disputes, and in its four years of life has swelled to employ five partners and two members of staff.

The firm fought off tough competition from large national firms to win the prestigious National 2008 Best Tax Investigation Team Award (2008 LexisNexis Taxation Awards), which was presented at the London Hilton.

Gilbert Tax is the brainchild of "poacher turned gamekeeper" Scott Gilbert, who began his career with the Inland Revenue before joining Ernst & Young in Leeds as a supervisor in its tax risk department.

Six years later he had risen through the ranks to become senior manager responsible for resolving tax investigations for the north of England Mr Gilbert said: "Although I had a successful career, I was frustrated as most of my work was on behalf of large corporate clients.

"I recognised there was a niche to provide smaller companies, sole traders and partnerships - who could not afford the fees of the big four' accountancy firms - with a hands-on, friendly service and took the decision to set up my own business."

With partner Kim Rayfield, who is a management accountant, working alongside him, Gilbert Tax was founded in October 2004.

Mr Gilbert said: "Tax investigations and conflicts with the HMRC create difficult and stressful times. We specialise in resolving any tax investigation or dispute in the most efficient, cost-effective and timely manner possible."

As the business progressed Mr Gilbert took on the task of designing the firm's website. Just before Christmas 2005 the site was launched, and, in his words, "went ballistic" receiving many hits from anxious people seeking advice To cope with the demand Scott turned to trusted ex-colleagues, including Tony Dickinson, Craig Tully, and Sam Baker, who are all now partners in the firm. The firm has also recently recruited graduate John Poskitt as a junior accountant and Mohammed Waquas as a manager.