Russell Bedford International Appoints Grupo FTC as its Correspondent Firm in Panama

London, United Kingdom, June 08, 2007 --(PR.com)-- Russell Bedford International has announced that Grupo FTC - Financial, Tax & Consulting Group - has joined its network as a Correspondent firm in Panama.

Grupo FTC was established in 2004. It is a multi-discipline professional services firm covering accounting, tax, business advice, legal services and financial audit.

The firm has two partners, both Certified Public Accountants and Members of the Colegio de Contadores Públicos Autorizados de Panamá (Association of Certified Public Accountants of Panama).

Luis E. Vásquez Brown has an MBA with specialisations in Finance and Strategic Management. He began his career in a public sector financial audit role in the Controlaría General de la República (the Comptroller General's Office) before moving to the National Audit Directorate of the Government's Social Security Department. He then gained experience in international auditing with KPMG. Before going on to establish his own firm, he had four years as a corporate controller with a US-owned internet-related business, responsible for overall financial management of the company in Panama and Mexico. Luis also teaches accounting and auditing at the Universidad Interamericana de Panamá.

Sonia Del C. Selles de Díaz had a variety of roles in both the private and public sectors before joining Grupo FTC as a partner in 2006. Most recently, she was responsible for internal audit at a Panamanian mortgage bank. She was also a partner in another local accounting and audit firm for two years.

In addition to the partners, Grupo FTC also has three directors, and in total the firm has 17 personnel. It has clients in a variety of sectors including manufacturing and retail. Services currently offered are mainly accounting, audit and tax consulting.

For further information, contact Luis Vásquez Brown at Grupo FTC on +507 300 3001. Alternatively, visit the websites at www.grupoftc.com and www.russellbedford.com.

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Note to Editors

Russell Bedford International was established in 1983 by a group of medium-sized independent accounting practices aiming to counter the market dominance of the major multi-national accounting firms.

Russell Bedford is now a closely-connected global association of independent accounting and business consultancy firms in key locations around the world, and is represented by some 200 offices in more than 70 countries in Europe, the Americas, the Middle East, Africa and Asia-Pacific.

All Russell Bedford affiliates are well-established firms offering international business advice and services to local and multinational clients. Most provide a full range of services comprising accounting, auditing, tax advice, general business guidance and financial consulting. In addition, many have special expertise in particular fields, such as international taxation or information technology.