PROFESSIONAL services firm KPMG yesterday revealed that it planned to cut around 20 jobs in the tax practice across its five north of England offices, which includes Leeds.
However, the firm stressed that most of the staff affected were expected to be redeployed or take voluntary redundancy.
It is understood that a number of them will join the firm's restructuring practice.
A KPMG spokesman confirmed that a consul
tation process was underway within the tax practice at its northern offices, which apart from Leeds, include Manchester, Newcastle, Liverpool and Preston.
Mike Linter, KPMG's head of tax in the North, who is based in Leeds, said: "The needs of our clients have changed as the recession has altered their business agendas.
"Our tax efficiency advice is particularly sought at the moment, for example, as housekeeping measures that can minimise the costs of tax are valued when margins are squeezed.
"However, parts of our tax practice have been impacted by a drop in demand which has led to the current headcount review."
KPMG employs 750 staff in Leeds.
Across the UK, KPMG has more than 10,000 staff working in 22 offices.
KPMG was originally formed in 1987 with the merger of Peat Marwick International (PMI) and Klynveld Main Goerdeler and their individual member firms.
In 2006, KPMG partners in the UK and Germany approved a proposal to merge the two member firms, creating Europe's largest accountancy firm. The merger took effect in October 2007.
Today KPMG Europe includes subsidiaries in Germany, Switzerland, Spain, Belgium and the UK.
