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Tax professionals are leaving London and heading to England's west in increasing numbers, claims a new study.
According to the survey by recruitment consultancy GRS, the flow became notable in 2007, and it will only become stronger over the next 12 months.
Tax practitioners are being drawn to destinations across the West Country and the most westerly corners of the southeast, with standout relocation spots being the high-growth southern cities of Bristol and Southampton.
Angela Parker, a consultant with GRS Tax, pointed out that the Big 4 tax companies have long had a comprehensive presence in both cities.
She added: 'Recently we have seen tax professionals start moving further southwest to Devon, too. PwC and EY have a presence there. And the southwest in general is full of finance, energy and telecom companies.
'Tax professionals are being attracted by roles in both industry and practice'.
The reasons tax professionals are leaving the capital are almost always the same, claims Ms Parker: the cost of housing and the desire for a better work-life balance.
There are other reasons, too.
Angela Parker remarked: 'A lot of people are fed up of London's horrific commutes. Furthermore, many tax practitioners also went to good universities in Southampton, Bristol and Exeter, and they are keen to move back there.
'The trickle of tax professionals flowing west is growing ever stronger. It will continue to swell in 2008.'
