A KENT accountancy firm is in position to repeat past success at the LexisNexis Taxation Awards 2005, following the release of the shortlist of entries.

Reeves & Neylan will join finalists BDO Stoy Hayward and Smith & Williamson, which both have offices across the UK and internationally, in competition for the Best Large Practice Tax Team award.

In 2004, Reeves & Neylan was declared Best Tax Team in a Medium-Sized Firm. With the launch of the Best Big Four Tax Team for the first time this year, firms outside the 'big four' tax heavyweights - PricewaterhouseCoopers, Deloitte, KPMG and Earnst & Young - are now eligible to contend for the 'Best Large Practice Tax Team' title.

Martin Casimir, director at LexisNexis Butterworths, said: "We're expecting even tougher competition between the finalists this year than ever before. The quality of entries has been exceptionally high, and it's great to see firms like Reeves & Neylan excelling again this year, especially following our expansion of the award categories."

The awards will be presented at a gala dinner in the London Hilton on May 24.