In this section of the website, we introduce you to one of our firms. Up next is Centurion VAT Specialists with Director Liz Maher. Read her answers to our questions to get to know her and the firm better.
What do you like about working for your firm?
“I love working in a team of like-minded individuals who focus on working alongside clients to ensure VAT moves to a more proactive management position. VAT has grown into a complex tax and there’s no sign of that position changing – it can mean the success or failure of a development project or the whole business. It’s lovely to make a difference to ensure that VAT and Environmental Tax supports a client’s plans and not hinders them.”
What are in your words the strengths of your firm?
“Centurion’s core strength is the depth of our VAT expertise across the whole team. We are here when VAT gets complicated for our clients and work across complex issues such as Partial Exemption and Property VAT issues and with complex sectors including Universities, Housing Associations, Charities, Manufacturers and Exporters. Being flexible, friendly and fast in our response to clients concerns is consistent feedback from our clients.”
“VAT is a simple tax – it’s just that tax authorities have spent the last 40 years making it complicated.”
Liz Maher, Director of Centurion VAT Specialists.
What is the best or most rewarding experience you have had at your firm so far?
“So many – getting resolution of clients concerns whether that’s monetary or a sensible planning route sorted – but as a team to win the Taxation’s Award for the Best VAT team in the UK would take some beating!”
What is your favourite statement that you regularly use when advising your clients?
“VAT is a simple tax – it’s just that tax authorities have spent the last 40 years making it complicated – that’s why Centurion is here to help.”
What result you achieved for a client, are you most proud of?
“Securing VAT reliefs for a University client that helped deliver the new Campus project saving them millions at one end of the scale to resolving a challenge for a charity hospice to meet the Making Tax Digital regulations for VAT reporting – making a difference so that projects happen and people don’t wake up at 3 am worrying about VAT – that’s a shared pride in the Centurion team.”
Which conditions do you think a ‘firm of the future’ should meet?
“A firm of the future needs depth of expertise across the business services that clients need – it needs to know how to support that client/issue or know a specialist who can. It needs a proactive communication engagement with its clients – to raise knowledge and understanding on the issues that are important for clients to plan for – it needs to be a ‘friend in business’ – supportive and honest.”
How do you see the future of your firm from your perspective?
“For Centurion to be recognised across the UK as the Specialist team concentrating on VAT and Environmental Tax support for clients. Our vision is one where potential clients across the UK are aware that they have a real choice when VAT or Environmental Tax does get complicated for them and specialist support is needed.”