We are pleased to announce that from January 2nd, 2012 we will be joining forces with Mel Jackson Tax Services Inc. Mel Jackson is a well established tax and financial services firm in Charlotte. I am very excited about this opportunity to offer a greater range and better quality of services in the future. You can find out more about Mel Jackson from their website at www.meljackson.com.

      Together we will be able to offer a superior level of support on tax matters, a well as provide payroll and accounting services. Our combination will allow us to really get our Investment Advisory business off the ground, and increase our Corporate Finance and Investment Banking business which allows us to offer working capital finance where the banks cannot. We will also be working on the formation of an audit and assurance CPA firm.

      I am particularly excited about Mel Jackson's strength in cross-border and expatriate taxation, a key component of our work. This aspect of international taxation is really under-served in Charlotte, with many tax preparers often missing significant opportunities and pitfalls because they do not deal with it regularly. Our knowledge and experience in this area will be hard to beat, so even if you're just looking for a second opinion, give us a call (704 206 0547) - we may save you a lot of money!

      I will be communicating with all our clients in the New Year with plans and preparations for the 2012 tax season. In the meantime, may I wish you a Happy New Year and successful 2012.