Aberdeen-based chartered accounts Hall Morrice LLP has appointed Shona Duncan to the role of senior tax manager to oversee the firm’s tax and payroll teams.

The new senior management post was created in response to a growing client demand for taxation services.

Ms Duncan has a background in both general practice and industry, including extensive experience in the oil and gas sector. She moves to Hall Morrice from Halliburton, where she was UK regional tax manager, and prior to that was European tax manager at CHC Scotia.

The Aberdeen University graduate said she is relishing the opportunity to return to general practice, which is where her career started over 20 years ago.

She added: “Over the years I have built up considerable knowledge and understanding of corporate tax, VAT, payroll and how it affects different industries, and I am looking forward to applying that within the setting of an accountancy firm.

“Returning to general practice is something that I have been considering for some time because of the variety that it offers. Hall Morrice has an incredibly broad range of clients and that, coupled with the fact that it has been around for over 40 years and is so well respected in the city, convinced me that the time was right to return.”

The independent accountancy firm, which employs over 50 staff at its bases in Aberdeen and Fraserburgh, serves clients across many industries, including energy, construction, tourism, and retail. It is also used by numerous Third Sector operations due to its experience and specialist knowledge.

Partner Shonagh Fraser said the firm wanted to create a new senior tax manager post to strengthen its overall offering on the back of a growing demand for tax services.

She added: “Hall Morrice has experienced an uplift in demand for tax and payroll services over the past year, due to an increased need for the accountancy function to provide added value to businesses.

“More and more companies are now outsourcing specialist accountancy functions such as tax and payroll so their own staff can focus on other elements of financial management.

“They see that we are not just about reviewing the numbers and submitting a return: we work with them to plan a tax-efficient approach to their operations while ensuring they remain fully compliant.”

In addition to supporting business clients, Ms Duncan will be working with individuals and applying her knowledge of personal tax.