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About us
Kas Symonds FCCA CTA
Partner / Owner
Kas joined Rupp & Fraser as a newly qualified accountant in 2012. Having started his career with a large local firm, he then spent time both in practice and industry learning the profession and developing his understanding of how businesses work. Qualifying in 2012 and becoming a Fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants in 2017, he has since also become a qualified member of the Chartered Institute of Taxation. With an accountancy and tax career spanning almost 25 years, Kas has a wealth of experience across all aspects of business advisory with a particular focus on tax planning for owner managed business, trust taxation and administration and indirect tax advisory services. Kas is also the firm’s expert on business acquisition and disposal with a particular focus on business valuation.
In June 2025 Kas purchased the firm from his former business partners, Chris Rupp and Ian Fraser, with a view to modernising the practice, a process that is already well underway.
Outside of work Kas enjoys cycling, skiing, playing golf and spending time with his 2 young children.
Email: k.symonds@rupp-fraser.co.uk
James Biggs CTA ATT
Tax Manager
James joined Rupp & Fraser to head up our tax department in September 2025. He brings over 20 years of experience to the firm, having started his career with HM Revenue & Customs and then moving into practice in 2006. Having become a qualified member of the Association of Tax Technicians, in 2022 he qualified as a Chartered Tax Advisor. James has a wealth of experience across all taxes with a particular focus on corporate restructuring, trusts, inheritance and capital gains tax planning and personal taxes.
Outside of work James enjoys watching sport, playing golf and spending time with his family who are often out and about with their dog, Snowie, enjoying Devon’s coast and countryside. Snowie is a regular attendant at the office and is always pleased to meet people.
Elysia Barker ACCA
Accounts Manager
Elysia joined the firm in 2016, having changing career, and has worked her way up to the position of Accounts Manager at the firm. In addition to being a qualified member of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants she is currently studying towards her CTA qualification (Chartered Tax Advisor). Elysia has a broad knowledge of UK Generally Accepted Accounting Practice (UK GAAP), and her job sees her working mainly with directors of Limited Companies.
Outside of work, Elysia enjoys spending time with her family, and on stage, performing in local musical theatre productions.
Email: Elysia@rupp-fraser.co.uk
Isaac Feasby AAT Level 3
Accounts and Tax Junior
Isaac joined the team in January 2026 and undertakes accounts and tax return preparation work for our range of clients. He is currently studying towards his AAT Level 4 qualification, building a strong foundation in accountancy and taxation. Outside of work, he enjoys staying active and competitive, with interests including football, golf, and going to the gym.
Neil Southwood FMAAT
Payroll Manager
Neil has been with the firm for nearly 2 decades and is best known to clients for looking after their payroll affairs. Neil’s work involves everything payroll related, from arranging new schemes to the day to day running of payroll affairs to administering their Workplace Pensions. Neil is an AAT qualified accountant. Neil lives in Broadhempston and is a keen gardener and runner.
Email: payroll@rupp-fraser.co.uk
Rhys Allaway AAT Level 3
Accounts and Tax Junior
Rhys joined Rupp & Fraser in summer 2025, focusing on company accounts and personal tax returns. Rhys has over four years of experience in the world of accountancy and is currently working towards his level four qualification with AAT. Rhys likes to stay fit and is a regular at the gym.
Heather Walters AAT
Accounts Senior
Heather is an AAT qualified accountant and, as the accounts senior at the firm, works closely with the Accounts Manager covering all areas of accounts and tax for our corporate and unincorporated business clients. Heather also heads up our Xero training offering, helping others to effectively manage the cloud-based accounting software. Outside of work, Heather spends her time with her family on their farm.
Email: heather@rupp-fraser.co.uk