TAMPA, Fla., February 19, 2004/PRNewswire/ - Amscot Financial, a Florida-based tax and retail financial services company, recently announced it will be continuing its aggressive expansion efforts by opening 30 new offices in fiscal year 2005, a result of which will be more than 200 new jobs throughout the Central Florida Area, according to Executive Vice President Ian A. MacKechnie.

Currently, the company has plans to open new branches in Bradenton, Brooksville, Clearwater, Lakeland, Lake Wales, Largo, New Port Richey, Oldsmar, Pinellas Park, Port Richey, Valrico and Winter Haven.

What's more, the company will be opening four new branches in the Metro Orlando Area by May, with plans to open 12 additional branches there by the end of the fiscal year.

These new branches will lead to more than 200 Financial Service Associate positions that will pay between $23,000 to $50,000 per year.

"Our success," MacKechnie explains, "is due, in great part, to the quality and dedication of the employees we have been able to hire and retain.

"As our company continues to grow, we will be focused on adding employees who not only possess previous cash handling and management experience, but also have the highest levels of intelligence, integrity and work ethic," Mackechnie adds.

Amscot will host an Employment Open House on Tuesday, Feb. 24 from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at its 6745 4th St. N. location in St. Petersburg. For more information, job seekers are encouraged to call 1-888-777-7718 or visit www.amscotjobs.com.

Headquartered in Tampa, Fla., Amscot Financial, along with its subsidiary, Amscot Tax Service, is a leading provider of convenient retail financial services for the mainstream consumer. Founded in 1989, the company provides payday advance, check cashing and income tax preparation services through its more than 1,500 Associates working in over 50 locations throughout Central Florida. For additional information, please visit the company's web site at www.amscotfinancial.com.