Adaptable like a tax adviser

What qualities does a tax adviser need? Perhaps one of the most important is being adaptable to change. I’m writing this article just after the general election where there was a constant focus on tax. I don’t know how many tax advisers there are – in practice in companies and in HMRC – but it’s probably fewer than 100 000. We will all be ready to spring into action when our new government sets out its policy changes later this year. Our role will be to help our politicians put in place effective measures with the minimum of unintended consequences. It will also be to advise taxpayers on the implications and discuss them with journalists to help inform the wider public. In due course there will be reporting and compliance activities. For us the only certainty is change.

I’d like to thank the editor of Taxation...