Pankaj Patel FCA
Founder and Managing Director
The team at Aequitas Accountants Ltd are led and inspired by the practice’s founder member, Pankaj Patel, a member of the ICAEW for over 30 years. Trained and qualified at one of the UK’s Top 4 firms of chartered accountants, KPMG. His corporate and West End experience has ensured a solid fundamental for the development of his own practice. With corporate London expertise and skills, the practice’s framework of a community inspired, easily accessible local practice, has generated a database of loyal and long-standing clients.
Having obtained a first-class honours degree at Imperial College for biochemistry and molecular biology, he has a particular interest in the medical industries especially pharmaceutical, dental, veterinary and also GPs.
Pankaj’s professional highlights include:
- Subsequent to a client’s 4-year HMRC enquiry – the result was a £200 tax bill. The claim was complicated but only merited the client visiting the practice twice whilst Pankaj efficiently liaised with both client and HMRC for a fair and positive result.
- On behalf of a young pharmacist purchasing his first unit, Pankaj successfully negotiated a discount of over £500,000 for a deal initially bid at over £2m. The first deal for any young entrepreneur can often be a make or break situation; a fact that is always carefully addressed by the Aequitas team. An enormous amount of energy was channelled into this transaction to ensure the best possible outcome for the client. Today the young entrepreneur continues to go from strength to strength.
On a personal level, Pankaj is a devoted family man and active participant in community dynamics. When at home, he enjoys preparing culinary masterpieces whilst savouring a glass of red wine. On the golf course, he is proud to have achieved a ‘Hole-in-One’ and displays this certificate alongside his professional qualifications.
Chetan Kamdar ACA, FCCA
Director
A senior and highly experienced chartered accountant, he is Pankaj Patel’s right-hand man and actively supports the running of the practice and heads the Audit Department.
Qualified as an ACCA in 2006, he joined Aequitas in 2017 as the senior manager. Specialising in owner managed and medium size companies, his comprehensive knowledge and experience is highly revered by the clients and his team. Previous experience includes working at an award-winning practice in London where he trained and developed his managerial skills.
His life is balanced between professional commitments and spending time with his young family. He also has a long-standing dedication to the support of Water Aid which particularly resonates with his conscience as a basic and essential, life necessity.
Meena Thapa
Manager
Meena is a loyal and long-standing employee who joined Aequitas in 2009. She trained as an accountant, qualified and is currently the manager supporting pharmaceutical clients. Her professional remit includes keeping them up to date with evolving information affecting this important sector and especially now, with changing governmental guidelines. She has an excellent relationship with the clients and is very approachable whilst also supporting her colleagues in the team.
Keen to develop her own skills and with a natural disposition towards research and further learning, she is professionally inspired by leading motivational speakers via podcasts and videos.
Her father established a charity for the elderly who are unfortunately homeless in Nepal. She actively supports with donations and when visiting her family, ensures time to professionally support and meeting those in need. In the UK she has participated in the Shine Night Walk supporting Cancer Research UK.
In order to support our many international clients, we have a multi-lingual team.
Fluent languages include: English, Gujarati, Hindi, Nepalese and Urdu.