BDO, a leading professional service firm based in Bahrain, has appointed Stephen Andrew Kitching as director to head its indirect tax services division including value added tax (VAT), in Bahrain.

Kitching brings with him over 33 years of industry and indirect tax experience which include employment at HM Revenue and Customs as a VAT inspector and leading indirect tax teams within practice at two of the Big4 accountancy practices, said a statement. 

He is a qualified industrial engineer and has attained the Advanced VAT BTEC Diploma.

Prior to joining BDO he was leading the indirect tax practice of one of the world’s largest accountancy firms in Aberdeen, UK.  He specifically advised multinational businesses on indirect tax and customs issues in the Energy and Resource sector including projects involving M&A activity, cash-flow incentives and local in-country VAT/GST compliance and disputes.  He has been involved in a number of successful appeals against tax authorities and has assisted global businesses with unravelling and understanding complex supply chains and cross border transactions. 

He has experience of VAT implementation projects in Malaysia, Egypt and India and brings a wealth of senior management experience and VAT knowledge.

“We are delighted to have Stephen join us to lead our Indirect Tax Services Division, which shows BDO’s commitment to serve our clients and to help them in the transition to be fully tax compliant” said Ali Jawad, CEO.  –TradeArabia News Service