Our Services | AK VAT Advisory

VAT Advisory

Clear advice on complex transactions, restructuring, and cross-border supply chains, drawn from over a decade in HMRC and private practice.

Advice on complex VAT transactions and structures
Cross-border and international VAT guidance
Partial exemption method reviews and optimisation
VAT on financial services and exempt supplies
Support during HMRC enquiries and disputes

10+Years advising on complex VAT matters

Big 4Advisory pedigree applied to every engagement

Hands-OnEvery advisory mandate is handled personally from start to finish

VAT Registration

More complex than it appears, and mistakes at this stage are costly. We handle the whole process, from eligibility through to your first return.

Eligibility and threshold assessment
Compulsory and voluntary registration
Application preparation and submission to HMRC
VAT scheme selection (Flat Rate, Cash Accounting, Annual)
Group VAT registration advice
Guidance on your first VAT return

HMRCDirect regulatory knowledge of registration processes

End-to-endWe manage everything from assessment to confirmation

All sizesFrom sole traders to large corporates

VAT Training

Sessions built around your team and the VAT that actually affects them — foundational, technical, or ongoing updates.

Bespoke VAT training for finance and accountancy teams
Introductory and advanced sessions available
Delivered via video call or in person
Topic-specific workshops (e.g. partial exemption, property, international VAT)
Identifying common VAT errors and how to avoid them
Practical guidance on VAT in day-to-day transactions

BespokeEvery session tailored to your team and their VAT challenges

Expert-ledTraining built on over a decade of advisory experience

FlexibleDelivered in person or remotely, at a time that suits you

VAT Retainer

Ongoing access to specialist advice for one fixed annual fee. Call or email whenever a question arises, with a written note following each one.

Queries answered after up to one hour of research
Written follow-up email for every query
Bespoke pricing based on your query volume
Preferential rates on land & property and other excluded work
No approvals or invoices for day-to-day questions
Fixed annual fee, paid upfront

Make an Enquiry

BespokePricing tailored to your needs, agreed upfront

1 HourResearch per query, delivered by call or email

Fixed FeeOne predictable annual cost, no ad hoc invoices

There's no rate card. Your fee depends on query volume and the complexity of your VAT position, agreed upfront after a short conversation.

Get a Quote

Who It's For

Accountants and accountancy practices needing a VAT specialist on call
Solicitors and law firms encountering VAT issues in transactions and client matters
Businesses that regularly face VAT questions but don't need a full-time VAT resource
Charities and non-profits managing complex VAT positions on a budget

What's Not Included

Land & property VAT queries
VAT registrations
Statutory notifications
HMRC compliance checks
Document or contract review
Formal written advice
Capital Goods Scheme calculations
Partial exemption workings

Statutory Notifications

Certain VAT elections and events must be formally notified to HMRC within strict deadlines — getting the paperwork wrong, or missing the window, can be costly or irreversible.

Option to tax notifications and record-keeping
Change of VAT accounting scheme notifications
VAT group registration and disbandment notices
Transfer of a going concern notifications
Deregistration and changes to business details

Deadline-LedNotifications tracked and filed within HMRC's time limits

HMRCDirect knowledge of what HMRC expects to see

Fixed FeeAgreed before any work begins

HMRC Compliance Checks

An HMRC compliance check can be stressful and time-consuming without the right support. We manage the process on your behalf, from the first letter through to resolution.

Reviewing HMRC's information requests before you respond
Preparing responses and supporting evidence
Preparing you for, or attending, HMRC meetings and visits
Negotiating penalties, assessments, and time to pay
Appeals and alternative dispute resolution where needed

HMRCBackground working inside HMRC informs our approach

Hands-OnDirect access to a specialist throughout the check

End-to-EndSupport from first contact through to resolution

Non-Statutory Clearance

Where the VAT treatment of a transaction is genuinely uncertain, we can approach HMRC directly for its view in writing, giving you certainty before you proceed.

Assessing whether a clearance application is the right route
Preparing and submitting the clearance request to HMRC
Setting out the technical analysis and supporting facts clearly
Liaising with HMRC on queries and follow-up questions
Advising on the clearance response once received

In WritingA formal HMRC view, not just informal guidance

TechnicalBuilt on a clear, well-argued technical analysis

Big 4Drafting experience from large-firm advisory practice

VAT Health Checks

A structured review of your VAT position, designed to catch errors before HMRC does and identify VAT that may be being missed or over-declared.

Review of VAT returns, workings, and processes
Testing of partial exemption and input tax recovery methods
Identification of common errors and risk areas
Recommendations to correct historic errors, where needed
A clear written report with practical next steps

ProactiveFindings identified before HMRC raises them

Written ReportA clear summary of findings and recommendations

Any SizeSuited to businesses of all sizes and sectors

Contract Reviews & Second Opinions

A second, independent view on VAT treatment already reached — whether that's a contract, advice from another adviser, or an internal decision — before it's relied upon.

VAT review of contracts and transaction documents
Second opinions on VAT advice already received
Sense-checking internal VAT decisions before they're implemented
Identifying VAT clauses that may need renegotiation
Independent, jargon-free written conclusions

IndependentAn unconflicted, second set of eyes

Big 4The same standard of review applied at a large advisory firm

Plain EnglishConclusions free of unnecessary jargon

Why AK VAT Advisory

What Sets Us Apart

An independent practice, handled personally throughout.

Direct, Not Delegated

Every engagement is handled personally, with no work passed down to juniors and no account managers.

HMRC Insight

Having worked within HMRC, we understand how the regulator approaches these questions.

Specialist Standard

The quality of advice you would expect from a specialist VAT team at a large firm, at a fraction of the cost.

Clear Communication

VAT is a complex tax. Our advice is practical, free of jargon, and straightforward to act upon.

Get in Touch

A free one-hour consultation, by video call or in person. All engagements are fixed-fee, agreed before work begins.

Arrange a Consultation