BUOYANT Baker Tilly of Clarendon Road, Watford, has announced a merger with Hampshire-based accountancy firm and software producer Harris Walters, inventors of The Strategic Planning Toolkit and Wealth Tracker, which are sold extensively under licence to other accountancy practices throughout the UK.

Harris Walters operates out of offices in Andover, Basingstoke, Winchester and Salisbury. The deal, effective from October 1, 2001, will see the Harris Walters accountancy practice merged into Baker Tilly.

Baker Tilly will make a significant investment in the software company and take a 75 per cent stake in the business, which will continue to trade as Harris Walters Ltd, with Richard Walters and Ray Gordon remaining in their respective roles of managing director and commercial director. Two Baker Tilly partners will join the Board of Harris Walters Ltd.

Laurence Longe, National Managing Partner, Baker Tilly, said: "The accountancy profession is being transformed to meet the needs of tomorrow's clients, who will require a wide range of services from commercially-astute business advisers. Baker Tilly's regional merger with Harris Walters is a terrific strategic coupling which will enable us to grow our base in the south and provide clients with an enhanced range of services.

"We're delighted to be joining forces with Harris Walters and are confident that this merger will affirm our positioning as the professional services firm of choice for entrepreneurial businesses with turnovers of up to £100 million."

Richard Walters commented: "We've made no secret of our desire to move forward rapidly in order to provide our clients and staff with greater opportunities for success. The merger with Baker Tilly will provide us with the funding and support we require to grow our software business, while ensuring that he accountancy practice continues to deliver superlative client service.

"Our knowledge of strategic development, allied with software innovation, will be of significant value to Baker Tilly clients. Harris Walters Ltd, will continue its development of unique software products which help business owners to realise their financial goals."

The new firm will have a turnover of over £80m, 149 partners, 17 offices and over 1,100 members of staff.

Harris Davies, Salisbury, will not participate in the deal. Hugh Davies comments: "I wish my Harris Walters partners well for the future. The merger with Baker Tilly opens up tremendous opportunities and I am confident that it will be successful. My home and heart is in Salisbury; given this, and the nature of my client base, I have decided to remain independent."