Looking for a tax advisor

Hi everybody,

Can anybody recommend a tax advisor in UK/US matters?

I moved to London in 2006 and after reading some of the posts I am realizing that neither myself nor my US accountant can figure out my tax returns. So rather than wading thru this morass myself I want to get qualified help.

Thanks!

Mike

 

Let's share efforts. I am looking for the one too. If you have found an advisor, please, be so kind and let me know (you, probably, will be entitled to for a discount for the reference).

- Michael

I used Malcomb Offord for about 9 or 10 years to do both US and UK.  He is fine, especially with the AMT and ETC bits. 

Then I found out that the IRS agent posted at the US Embassy is a former Russian immigrant to the US, so now my wife goes to see him and they sort everything out wrt US taxes.

A few years ago I got a letter from HMRC telling me not to file UK taxes any more, but I still do anyway.  I take it HMRC in Finsbury and they look in their computer and say no return is needed.  Probably because I always got a refund...

I guess, Russian immigrant's name is not Malcomb Offord. Could you be so king to provide a contact info to both, Malcomb and IRS agent at the US Embassy? I swear I will refer to you (if you do not mind, of cause).

I guess, Russian immigrant's name is not Malcomb Offord. Could you be so king to provide a contact info to both, Malcomb and IRS agent at the US Embassy? I swear I will refer to you (if you do not mind, of cause).

malcolm's phone is 01322 861 601

I never learnt the Ruski's name, that's my wife's department

I suspect that you are saying that your wife visits the IRS office at the US embassy and they help her fill out the forms for free (or are you say that your wife gives money to an IRS agent of Russian origin - if so it sounds a bit James Bond-like!!)

Malcolm Offord is ex-Arthur Young - in other words he started his own on-one tax shop in the late 1980s, so he may be retired by now.  I am not aware however of what - if any - qualifications he has.  Do bear in mind that in the 1970s and 1980s the vast majority of folks at the big accounting firms in the UK were not qualified at all.

This is no disrespect to Malcolm , but you need to be clear about what you want to buy.  If you want a professional with mandatory continuing education then go for someone qualified.  If you need assistance in minimising both UK and US taxes then speak with someone qualified in both the US and the UK.

I would gladly talk this through with you - or indeed a US accountant - because you are entirely right to say that life can be complicated when you are trying to balance both sets of taxes.  Please PM me if you want to talk through this some more.
 

Is there any sort of online index or directory of licensed international (US/UK) tax advisers? I'm way out in southwest Wales, and can travel a bit to get to someone, but a trip to London every time I need an appointment is out of the question. My finances are fairly complicated, so I'm learning that I desperately need a good tax adviser.

I discovered this web site today and it seems to be quite helpful. It's from the Institute of Chartered Accountants of England and Wales:

http://www.icaewfirms.co.uk/

You can search by geographic area and specialty. Hope this helps!

Thanks, Suzy, but I had already found that site. I even emailed them, but no luck. Unfortunately, there's noone with UK/US expertise within about three hours of me.  :\\\'(

Chary,

Most of the US/UK accountants are indeed in or near London.  This is because the majority of people who need that work are also in or near London.  However, most of the US/UK accountants have about 20 - 40% of their clients living in other locations, and have not ever met about 10% of them.  You might want to go to London the first time to meet him or her, but after that, you'll find that most work can be done by fone, courier, fax, post, and email. 

To protect yourself, send all original documents by courier or photocopy before sending - do not trust the post!
 

Thanks for the advice, Lizzit. I think a trip to London might be inevitable. I was hoping to find a US/UK tax accountant slightly closer - even Cardiff would be a bit closer - but it looks unlikely.

I mentioned this to a moderator, and I thought "guya'". was unfairly disparaging a named individual in favour of promoting himself. 

I would beware of "guya" because as shown above his actions are less than ethical.

Sorry garry, I don't see how his remarks warranted any editing. guya stated he didn't know what the man's qualifications were. I don't see anything derogatory at all?

Sorry garry, I don't see how his remarks warranted any editing. guya stated he didn't know what the man's qualifications were. I don't see anything derogatory at all?

Yes, perhaps it's not clear. 

In the tax world there is money at stake and a person would certainly need someone with qualifications and expertise on both sides of the pond.  This is no disrespect to "guya", but I would judge a person's qualifications and expertise by the manner and professionalism of his post. 

"Guya" pointed out that Malcomb came out of Arthur Young, but left me wondering how "guya'" qualifications were superior, and why he felt the need to write that.  I had the understanding that Arthur Young provided an *excellent* basis for private practice.  Is that not so?

"Guya" concluded with an invitation to PM him, and with no disrespect, I would be very reluctant to do that.  Perhaps if he returned to the thread and identified himself with a real name and illuminated his credentials somewhat, I would understand better where he's comming from.  Until then, he's just a random person on the internet soliciting tax services via PM. 

Sorry for any misunderstanding.

Thank you garry, that is clearer. Or more clear even. Whichever is correct grammar, pick one.