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New Zealand-owned accountancy and business advisory network, Baker Tilly Staples Rodway, has announced the promotions of six associates to its team of directors.

The appointments have increased the number of directors from 53 to 59, reflecting the network's continued solid growth.

"The strength of our business is understanding our clients' needs, goals and objectives, as well as the risks that need to be mitigated for them to succeed," says David Searle, Chair of Baker Tilly Staples Rodway. "Our six new directors excel at this approach and have been instrumental in supporting the significant growth of our national network."

The line-up of newly appointed directors includes some of New Zealand's brightest finance professionals covering the practises of Audit, Business Advisory and Tax. They are situated in the Auckland, Waikato, Tauranga, Taranaki and Hawkes Bay offices.

Kathryn Cropp (Auckland) is a chartered accountant who has significant experience and expertise in accounting and taxation within the Forestry and Emissions Trading Scheme sector. Having worked internationally and gained a reputation for building strong relationships with clients, Kathryn is passionate about adding value to clients' businesses. Her skills include preparing forecast and planning models, with a focus on transaction-based assignments, for a range of clients.

David Goodall (Taranaki) began his career as a chartered accountant in the United Kingdom, with his move to New Zealand coming after a secondment as part

David joined Baker Tilly Staples Rodway Taranaki in 2014. In his role as an audit director, he manages and supervises audit and assurance, internal auditing, forensic accounting, fraud examination and financial reporting under IFRS/IPSAS.

Michelle Valler (Hawkes Bay) joined Baker Tilly Staples Rodway as a client manager on the Business Advisory Services team, after 11 years of local experience in chartered accounting field. One of Michelle's strengths is maintaining close relationships with clients in order to understand their goals and support them toward the success of their business.

Bevan Condin (Hawkes Bay) has 15 years of chartered accountancy experience and joined Baker Tilly Staples Rodway in 2007, where he has been shining as a client manager in the Business Advisory Services division. He uses his extensive knowledge of financial investments and taxation to provide clients with accounting, tax and general business advice, including financial statements and tax return preparation.

Bevan believes in taking a hands-on approach to accounting services, often visiting clients onsite to gain a grass roots understanding of their business processes. Bevan's philosophy is that an accountant should be a sounding board for every major decision a client needs to make.

Angela Dryden (Waikato) is a chartered accountant who has worked closely with a wide range of clients in the manufacturing and property development sectors. She has worked as part of the business advisory team since starting with Baker Tilly Staples Rodway in 2001. During this time, Angela has spent more than two years working as Financial Controller for a client in the manufacturing industry and continues to work with this client and others within the manufacturing and property development sectors.

Sybrand van Schalkwyk (Tauranga) advises a wide range of clients and offers specialist tax advice to accounting and law firms as well as several charitable organisations.  He joined Baker Tilly Staples Rodway Tauranga in 2013 as a senior tax manager, after spending two years in the Christchurch office.  He had previously spent three years in Christchurch law and accounting firms specialising in taxation and three years with Inland Revenue as a policy analyst advising the government on tax policy.

Sybrand has international experience, including four years with 'Big Four' accounting firms, encompassing two years in the Channel Islands.