Mazars says it is offering West Midlands businesses a gateway into the German market following its merger with German audit and tax consultancy Roever Broenner Susat.

As a result the accountancy firm has set up a ‘German desk’ to advise companies seeking to expand in Germany.

The new team includes staff from Mazars’ Birmingham office.

Birmingham partner Ian Holder and tax director Vesko Petkov, who speaks fluent German, will be part of the team.

Mr Holder said: “The new German desk provides further evidence of Mazars’ international connectivity. We will be able to put Midlands companies directly in contact with our German colleagues who work in and understand the local marketplace.

“It is essential, when entering a new market, that companies understand not only the national and regional regulations involved but also the culture of business in a new country.

“Working as a seamless team, we can now offer structured advice for UK companies seeking to gain competitive advantage in Germany by launching with all the groundwork done and their preparations in place.”

The merger with Roever Broenner Susat creates a German business with more than 1,000 staff, 68 partners and a turnover of 110 million euros.

The merger means Mazars will rise several places amongst the largest German firms, moving from 15th to 8th position in the world’s fourth largest economy.

It says the new business will provide a platform for further growth in Europe, and in Central and Eastern Europe in particular.

Mazars has more than doubled in size in the last ten years to over 1.2billion euros turnover and has increased its geographic presence from 38 to 73 countries.

Mazars Group CEO and chairman of the executive board, Philippe Castagnac, said: “We are delighted to have completed the merger and to be welcoming Roever Broenner Susat partners and staff into our firm.

“Mazars has made a decisive move to strengthen its position at the heart of Europe’s biggest economy.”