Wolters Kluwer announces senior Tax and Accounting hire

Wolters Kluwer Tax & Accounting (TAA), the global provider of financial technology for tax, accounting, audit, and compliance professionals, today announced the appointment of Bas Kniphorst as Executive Vice President and Managing Director for TAA Europe. Kniphorst was previously Vice President and Managing Director of Wolters Kluwer Legal & Regulatory (LR), Benelux.

“During my time at Wolters Kluwer, I have been fortunate to work across the globe, managing a variety of high performing teams. It is an honour to return to the Tax & Accounting division and I’m excited by the opportunities we have ahead of us in Europe,” Kniphorst said. “I am passionate about innovation, specifically around our products, and look forward to working with our talented teams who devise smart solutions to tackle complex problems for our valued customers every day.”

Kniphorst holds a Master of Arts in International Studies and Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Politics from Durham University, United Kingdom.

Bas Kniphorst joined Wolters Kluwer in 2001 and has extensive cross-divisional leadership experience, having held leadership roles for both TAA and LR across Europe, North America, and Asia. As VP of Product Management for TAA Research & Learning United States and Canada, he successfully launched the award-winning CCH AnswerConnect solution. He was also instrumental in the U.S. launch of CCH Axcess iQ – the first artificial intelligence-driven solution for U.S. accountants combining tax news with actionable client information.

Jason Marx, CEO of Wolters Kluwer TAA, commented: “Bas has a deep understanding of the tax and accounting market with a long track record of driving customer-driven innovation, transformation, and growth. He also has invaluable knowledge of our products, and customer requirements. I’m excited to work with him as we drive further innovation and growth for the division across Europe.”.

Last week the company was recognized with a number of major industry awards. The accolades include a Bronze Stevie® in the Compliance Solution category in The 21st Annual American Business Awards®, a 2023 Artificial Intelligence (AI) Excellence Award winner by The Business Intelligence Group, and as a 2023 SIIA CODiE Award Finalist in the Best Compliance Solution category. Notably, all awards recognize the integration of CCH Axcess™ Engagement Pro with CCH Axcess™ Knowledge Coach as an innovative solution that helps firms ensure governance, risk mitigation and compliance with AICPA audit standards, while also keeping the focus on auditor judgement.

The CCH Axcess Engagement suite is the latest enhancement to Wolters Kluwer’s award-winning, cloud-based CCH Axcess platform. Celebrating 10 years of industry leading innovations, Wolters Kluwer says. “CCH Axcess is the only fully-cloud based solution for tax, firm management, accounting, audit, and advisory services.”

Trusted by 94 of Accounting Today’s Top 100 Firms, CCH Axcess “continues to drive industry transformation by focusing on the future of leading-edge technologies like AI, machine learning, and blockchain to ensure firms stay as productive and profitable as possible,” the company adds.

In February the company reported annual revenues of almost €5.5 billion for 2022, also announcing that it had created a new division, known as Corporate Performance & ESG (CP & ESG), the fifth division for the Dutch technology firm. According to a London-based spokesman “the new division aims to meet the growing demand from corporations and banks for integrated financial, operational, and ESG performance management and reporting solutions.”

As part of that announcement the company named Marx as its new CEO of the TAA division. Previously, Marx served as President & Chief Executive Officer of Wolters Kluwer TAA, North America where he led the development and delivery of customer-focused software, solutions and information services for tax and accounting professionals throughout the United States and Canada. Prior to this, Marx served as President of CCH Small Firm Services and group Executive for Wolters Kluwer Tax & Accounting Brazil.