Find the Right Tax Advisor for Your Situation

What to Look for in a Tax Advisor

Not all tax advisors are equal. The quality of advice you receive depends heavily on your advisor's qualifications, experience, and specialism. When choosing a tax advisor, look for professionals who hold recognised UK qualifications and have demonstrable expertise in the areas relevant to your situation.

The gold-standard qualifications for tax advice in the UK include:

• CTA (Chartered Tax Adviser) — Awarded by the Chartered Institute of Taxation (CIOT), this is widely regarded as the premier UK tax qualification. CTAs undergo rigorous training across all areas of taxation and are bound by a professional code of conduct.
• ATT (Association of Taxation Technicians) — The ATT qualification indicates strong technical competence in tax compliance and advisory work. Many ATT members go on to complete the CTA qualification.
• ACCA (Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) — ACCA-qualified professionals have broad accounting and tax expertise. Those specialising in tax advisory work can provide excellent guidance, particularly for business owners and self-employed individuals.
• ICAEW (Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales) — ICAEW chartered accountants with a tax specialism bring deep technical knowledge, especially in corporate tax and business planning.

Beyond qualifications, consider whether the advisor has specific experience in your area of need. A specialist in inheritance tax planning may not be the best person to advise on international remittance basis issues, and vice versa. Always ask about their track record with clients in situations similar to yours.

Types of Tax Advisors Explained

The term "tax advisor" is broad and can mean different things depending on the context. Understanding the different types of professionals can help you find the right person for your needs.

In practice, many people benefit from a team approach — a tax advisor working alongside an IFA and a solicitor to ensure every aspect of their financial and estate planning is coordinated. TaxAdvise UK can help you identify which type of professional you need first.

How TaxAdvise UK's Matching Service Works

We have built a curated network of qualified, vetted tax professionals across the UK. Our matching process is straightforward, confidential, and completely free for you.

There is no commitment at any stage. If the advisor is not the right fit, we will find you another. Our goal is a long-term match that serves your interests — not a one-off referral.

Questions to Ask a Tax Advisor Before Engaging Them

Before committing to an advisor, it is worth having a structured conversation to ensure they are the right fit. Here are the key questions we recommend asking during your initial consultation:

1. What are your qualifications and professional memberships? Confirm they hold a recognised qualification (CTA, ATT, ACCA, ICAEW) and are a member of the relevant professional body. This ensures they are subject to professional standards and a complaints procedure.
2. Do you have experience with my specific situation? Ask for examples (anonymised, of course) of clients they have helped with similar tax planning needs. A specialist in your area will be able to speak confidently about the issues and strategies relevant to you.
3. How do you charge? Tax advisors may charge by the hour, by fixed fee for specific projects, or on a retainer basis for ongoing advice. Understand the fee structure upfront and ask for an estimate of total costs for your initial piece of work.
4. What is your approach to HMRC? A good advisor will be firm but professional in dealings with HMRC. Be cautious of anyone who promises to "get around" tax rules or promotes schemes that sound too good to be true.
5. How will you communicate with me? Clarify how often you will receive updates, whether they offer meetings (in person, video, or phone), and who your day-to-day contact will be if you are engaging a larger firm.
6. Do you carry professional indemnity insurance? This is essential. All reputable advisors carry professional indemnity insurance to protect you in the event of negligent advice.
7. Can you coordinate with my other advisors? If you have an existing accountant, IFA, or solicitor, ask whether the tax advisor is comfortable working collaboratively. The best outcomes come from a coordinated team approach.