MHA bolsters VAT and indirect taxes team in North West with director appointment

National accountancy and advisory firm MHA, which has three offices in Lancashire, has further strengthened its VAT and indirect taxes team in the North West with the appointment of experienced VAT advisor Jimmy Davies.

Jimmy, a chartered tax advisor with 10 years of experience in VAT and indirect taxes, joins MHA as a director after six years with Forvis Mazars.

Jimmy was a member of HMRC’s Fraud Investigation Service tackling complex supply chain frauds including labour market and missing trader fraud.

He will act as a key member of the senior advisory team across all MHA’s North West offices.

Within his role, Jimmy is responsible for advising clients on all aspects of VAT and indirect taxation, including customs duties and environmental taxes.

He will focus on mergers and acquisitions support as part of MHA’s transaction services practice, complex HMRC enquiries, and helping clients to effectively manage their tax obligations and minimise the administration involved in the calculation and payment of tax.

Jonathan Main, partner and head of VAT and indirect taxes across the North of England at MHA, said: “Jimmy has a broad range of tax advisory experience having worked across numerous sectors including SMEs, listed companies, charities and third sector organisations.

“His experience and knowledge, both in practice and as an HMRC investigator, is a huge asset to our clients, particularly where they need that specialist who can offer practical advice around complex tax issues.”

MHA has offices in Preston, Lancaster and Blackpool in addition to three further offices across the North West.

Jimmy added: “Joining MHA was an easy decision to make – it’s a growing firm with a major national presence and one that leads with ambition. The firm is a real challenger in the market while also benefiting from being a part of a major global network. I am thoroughly enjoying working with my colleagues and delivering an excellent and joined-up service to our clients.”

Jimmy advises clients on various complex matters, including the VAT issues and opportunities arising from mergers and acquisitions and the optimum VAT treatment of business and non-business income.

He also guides clients in the efficient and cost-effective partial exemption special methods within the financial, education and housing sectors, and other sector specialised arrangements such as the VAT shelter scheme in the social housing sector.

He has worked extensively on post-Brexit matters assisting businesses in the UK and overseas to comply with new complexities arising from the UK’s status outside of the EU.

His previous role at HMRC has given him an in-depth working knowledge of more complex HMRC enquiries, penalties for non-compliance and the approach to these taken by HMRC officers.