ENS (Edward Nathan Sonnenbergs), Africa’s largest law firm, has taken top honours in two prestigious international tax awards and was also one of two firms shortlisted in the South African Tax Firm of the Year category at the prestigious European Tax Awards in London.
The European Tax awards are judged according to size, innovation and complexity and included all accounting, legal and other tax advisory firms in the country.
The 60-strong tax team was named South African Transfer Pricing Firm of the Year at the European Tax awards hosted by International Tax Review in London and placed in the top tier of an International Tax Review poll of South African Transactional and Tax Planning Companies.
Specialised focus
The tax team operates in specialised areas including human capital, dispute resolution, VAT and customs, transfer pricing, merger and acquisitions, international tax and financial services.
“We are very proud of these awards as they celebrate our specialised, multi-disciplined approach. Being the only South African law firm to be shortlisted in the European tax awards, having won in the Transfer Pricing category and being named the only African firm to achieve top tier status in the poll, positions us favourably for expansion into Africa which is a key focus for us in 2012,” says Peter Dachs, Head of Department for Tax in Cape Town.
Bernard du Plessis, head of ENS’ Tax Department in Johannesburg, says that size, although not conclusive, indicates what the tax team is capable of taking on.
“Innovation measures the ability of the firm to demonstrate solutions that differ from the norm; and complexity assesses whether or not issues out of the ordinary were addressed and if the advisor showed ingenuity. In order to place first, a firm must show excellence in each category.”
Broad range of services
Dachs adds that the International Tax review poll is voted for by readers of International Tax Review, which includes tax directors and CFOs at large multinational companies, and is highly regarded internationally.
“As a firm, we strive to develop the highest level of experience and range of services. We are very proud to be placed in the top tier for Transactional Tax and Tax Planning as it recognises our understanding of the regular changes to tax legislation in Africa and our ability to offer an integrated service, wherein clients receive the best possible tax and legal advice,” concludes du Plessis.