“Where did I go wrong when I chose my last tax advisor?”
A client asked me this recently as we wrapped up fixing an EMI scheme that had been mishandled by their previous advisor. It ended up costing them in additional fees, and a few thousand in extra tax! Not catastrophic, but it easily could have been avoided.
So how could they have spotted the problem sooner? And how can you make sure the same thing doesn’t happen to your clients?
If you run a smaller law or accountancy firm, trusted advice is your reputation. But when it comes to specialist tax, especially the complex or unfamiliar, keeping it in-house isn’t always practical. And getting it wrong? That can lead to unexpected, and sometimes significant, tax consequences.
That’s where a good tax advisor makes all the difference. The right partner strengthens your client relationships, adds depth to your service, and helps you focus on what you do best.
So, what makes a good tax advisor? And how do you find one you can trust to work with your clients?
- Specialist Knowledge You Can Rely On
A good tax advisor goes beyond compliance and knows how to navigate the grey areas: corporate restructuring, property transactions, capital gains, HMRC enquiries, share schemes, international matters, and more.
They understand both the technical detail and the commercial context and know how to tailor advice to different industries and client profiles. For a busy practice, having that kind of support on hand can make a huge difference.
- A Collaborative, White-Label Approach
You want someone who can plug into your team seamlessly, whether that’s behind the scenes or client-facing. A good tax advisor respects your client relationships and works with you, not around you. They’ll represent your firm professionally and discreetly, adding value without overstepping.
Some boutique firms (ours included) offer white-label or co-branded services, so you can deliver tax expertise under your own banner if you prefer.
- Clear, Commercial Advice
Your clients expect clarity, and so do you. A good tax advisor won’t bury you in jargon or sit on the fence. They’ll provide practical, digestible advice that helps you move forward with confidence and communicate clearly with your clients.
When you refer a matter, you want answers, not ambiguity. That’s the standard we aim to meet every time, and that was the biggest clue my client could have picked up on – he felt bamboozled by complex laws, & came away not really understanding what was going on.
- Agility and Responsiveness
Smaller firms often pride themselves on responsiveness and personal service. A good tax advisor should reflect those same values. You need someone who responds quickly, works efficiently, and doesn’t treat your clients like a number.
Being boutique shouldn’t mean being overstretched, it should mean being selective, responsive, and focused on quality over volume.
Looking for a Boutique Tax Partner?
If you’re a solicitor or accountant looking for a trusted tax specialist to support your clients, we’d love to hear from you. We work with firms like yours to deliver clear, expert tax advice, tailored to the needs of your clients and the way you work. Get in touch if you would like more information on hello@allegro-tax.com or 0330 118 8244.