Member Article

Accountant retires after 42-year career

International tax specialist David Finn has retired after a 42-year accountancy career.

The 67-year-old ‘retired’ for the first time in 2002 but was coaxed back into the profession less than a year later by Malcolm Hurst, the founder of Greater Manchester accountancy firm HURST.

David joined HURST as a tax associate in summer 2003 and remained there for nearly 12 years. He has now retired for good.

The married father-of-three began his career in 1973 when he joined Peat Marwick Mitchell as a graduate from Manchester University on a starting salary of £24 a week.

He qualified in 1975 and became a tax partner in 1982 at the firm, which later became KPMG.

David spent nearly 30 years there before ‘retiring’ and spending several months travelling in the Far East.

He said: “After meeting Malcolm when I returned to England, I got quite excited about going back to work and felt HURST would be right for me.

“Then and now, HURST prides itself on providing a quality service and best practice, which are values I hold dear.

“The firm constantly punches above its weight, and I would like to think I have made a contribution to its development.

“I’ve loved the work and the people, and I’m also proud of the fact that I’m still in touch with accountants in Manchester whom I have mentored over the years and have gone on to enjoy successful careers.”

David’s career saw him work extensively with businesses in North America, Europe and the Far East as well as the UK, including owner-managed and large listed companies.

His work saw him specialise in cross-border matters, including acquisitions and disposals, new overseas operations and transfer pricing issues.

In addition, he regularly lectured at conferences as chairman of the European Tax Committee of PrimeGlobal, the third largest association of independent accounting firms in the world.

David said the increasingly global nature of business had been one of the major changes during his career, along with technology.

“When I started, it was just after VAT and decimalisation had been introduced and in those days there was no such thing as a calculator,” he added.

“Accountancy is a wonderful profession and having a qualification in it means that in many ways the world is your oyster.”

David sees a rosy future for the profession, and business generally, in Manchester.

“We’re entering a really exciting era with developments such as the devolved NHS budget,” he said.

“In terms of accounting, I have always looked upon Manchester as being at least as good as anything London has to offer. One can make a real difference here.”

HURST chief executive Tim Potter said: “David has contributed a huge amount to the firm and our clients. While we are sorry to see him go, we wish him the very best in his retirement.”

David plans to spend his retirement travelling with his wife Diana and spending time with their children and six grandchildren.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by HURST .