From Practice Manager to Multi-Office Franchisee
Carl Whitehead’s career with TaxAssist Accountants is a great example of how ambition, support and the right franchise model can accelerate professional growth.
Starting out as an accounts manager, Carl progressed to practice manager before becoming a shareholder, director and ultimately a TaxAssist franchisee - all before the age of 30.
Today Carl operates two TaxAssist Accountants shops in Loughborough and Long Easton.
Broadening Experience with TaxAssist
Carl started his accountancy career at a chartered accountancy firm, but while the training helped him master the basics, he still felt held back by the firm’s resistance to change. Wanting a broader experience of accountancy and tax, he jumped at the opportunity when a vacancy arose at his local TaxAssist Accountants practice.
“Working for Phil proved a fantastic way to build up my knowledge in the running of a practice,“ explained Carl, who was 27 at the time.
“I got a broader experience of accountancy and tax, which allowed me to see and build up a rapport with clients and that's how you progress to senior positions, seeing clients, signing them off and giving them advice.
A Planned Exit and a Natural Successor
Phil Marriott was already thinking ahead about his future exit from the business and wanted to sell internally rather than to an external buyer. Carl was the ideal candidate.
In 2011, the pair completed a deal that saw Carl become an equity partner and director of the practice.
With renewed energy, strong leadership and a growing client base, the business entered its next phase.
Expanding the Practice
With two directors at the helm, a highly experienced team and a steady stream of new clients, expansion became a natural next step.
It was always our intention to open a second shop to complement our existing practice,” says Carl. “When the ideal unit became available, we jumped at the chance.”
The new location was a highly visible retail premises, complete with prominent TaxAssist branding and a striking mural - making it impossible to miss and reinforcing the brand’s strong high-street presence.
A Successful Franchise Succession
When Phil eventually retired, he reflected positively on his chosen exit strategy: “Appointing a business partner as my exit route has been a great experience. I’ve seen Carl grow in confidence and I’m reassured the business is in excellent hands.”
Today, Carl focuses on embedding his practices even further into their local communities while enjoying a more balanced pace after several demanding years of growth.
Carl’s journey demonstrates how the TaxAssist franchise model supports long-term career progression, succession planning and scalable growth.
