Emma Cottrell
Milton Keynes
Summary
Tax professional skilled in strategic tax planning and compliance, offering innovative solutions to minimise liabilities. Expertise in managing teams and enhancing operational efficiencies. Proven track record of maintaining high client satisfaction and expanding service offerings.
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
Work history
Tax Director
Sopher + Co LLP
Hertfordshire
2014.08 - 2026.05
- Managed private client and probate teams, ensuring operations met performance targets.
- Managed portfolio of private clients with annual billing of approximately £600k, including ultra-high-net-worth individuals, non-domiciled individuals, entrepreneurs, and various UK/offshore trusts.
- Introduced non-contentious probate and estate planning services to enhance firm's service portfolio.
- Advising ultra-high net worth individuals on complex matters, ensuring robust strategies for wealth protection, tax optimisation, and succession planning, emphasising strategies involving gift calculations and exploring excluded property trusts.
- Advising clients on residence test, and strategic planning opportunities regarding remittance basis of taxation and domicile status and options available for clients impacted by changes to non-domicile regime.
- Prepared and reviewed estate and trust partnership and individual tax returns to ensure compliance with relevant regulations.
- Maintained a high client satisfaction rate, leading to increased referrals and revenue growth.
- Led training initiatives to enhance team skills and improve tax return processes.
- Transitioned to a paperless system, streamlining workflows and increasing efficiency.
- Expanded revenue streams by implementing fees for P11Ds and ad-hoc work while transitioning clients from fixed fees to a time-spent billing model.
Tax Manager
TaxAssist Accountants
Hertfordshire
2012.11 - 2014.02
- Being main point of contact for around 700 clients, providing them with day to day general advice regarding their limited companies and personal tax efficiencies.
- Preparing rental accounts, partnership and individual tax returns.
Limited Company Team Manager
JSA Services Limited
Hertfordshire
2011.07 - 2012.10
- Directed team of up to eight staff members to cultivate productive and supportive work environment.
- Facilitated training for UK and Mumbai staff to enhance professional skills and improve collaborative efforts.
- Facilitated timely submissions of accounts, corporate and personal tax returns for approximately 1600 clients.
- Conducted assessments of junior staff to enhance skill development and foster professional growth.
- Conducted comprehensive IR35 contract reviews.
- Facilitated comprehensive business case to advocate for essential systems change that enhances operational efficiency across both UK and Mumbai offices. Participated in week-long project in Mumbai office to help implement changes.
- Assisted in implementation of online portal and accounting software to improve operational efficiency. Created training materials to support user understanding. Facilitated training sessions for clients and staff to enhance software use.
Accountant
Hardcastle Burton (Redbourn) Limited
Hertfordshire
2010.01 - 2011.07
- Preparation and completion of statutory accounts and tax returns for sole traders, partnerships, and limited companies across broad range of industries.
- Advising clients on various tax matters.
- Preparation of management accounts and cash flows on monthly/quarterly/half yearly basis.
- Assisting clients with yearend routines and updating live data on their systems.
- Completion of audit files for Partner review.
Accounts Senior
Colin Gray & Co Accountants Limited
Hertfordshire
2007.10 - 2009.12
- Statutory accounts preparation for sole traders, partnerships, and limited companies across broad range of industries.
- Production of Corporate and Personal Tax returns.
- Involved with approximately 10 audits per annum.
Accounts Assistant
James Walsh Accountants Ltd
Bedfordshire
2005.07 - 2007.09
- Responsible for own portfolio of clients for which I prepared and submitted, VAT Returns and payments, CIS Vouchers and payments, Financial Statements for sole traders and partnerships, wages and P35s, Personal Tax returns, Limited Company accounts to draft, rental income and expenditure accounts, Corporation Tax returns, cash flow and budget forecasts.
- Liaising with clients and HM Revenue and Customs regarding general accounting queries in connection with Corporation Tax, VAT and PAYE.
Accounts Assistant
Wood Recycling Services Ltd
Hertfordshire
2005.02 - 2005.06
- All Aspects of Purchase and Sales Ledger for 4 companies
- Preparation and payment of weekly & monthly wages for 2 companies
- Preparation and payment of VAT and CIS Voucher returns
- Maintaining and reconciling invoice discounting facility
- Implementing new purchase ledger and sales ledger processes
- Completing Month End procedures on Sage Line 50 and TAS
Pricing Administrator
Interbrew UK Ltd
Bedfordshire
2004.01 - 2005.02
- Maintaining & updating bespoke customer pricing system
- Ensuring Data held within systems meets legal and statutory requirements
- Investigating and resolving queries from Account managers and customers
Accounts Assistant
Chiltern Wasteaway Ltd
Bedfordshire
2001.03 - 2003.12
- General Sales & Purchase Ledger Duties
- Completing Month End procedures on Sage Line 50
- Other ad hoc general office duties
Education
A-Levels -
Northfields Upper School
Bedfordshire 2020
Skills
- Tax advisory
- Self-Assessment processing and review
- Initiative taking
- Team leadership
- Strong communication
- Probate and IHT
Professional Qualifications
- ATT
- ACCA
- CTA
- Certificate in Porbate and Estate Administration
Timeline
Tax Director
Sopher + Co LLP
2014.08 - 2026.05
Tax Manager
TaxAssist Accountants
2012.11 - 2014.02
Limited Company Team Manager
JSA Services Limited
2011.07 - 2012.10
Accountant
Hardcastle Burton (Redbourn) Limited
2010.01 - 2011.07
Accounts Senior
Colin Gray & Co Accountants Limited
2007.10 - 2009.12
Accounts Assistant
James Walsh Accountants Ltd
2005.07 - 2007.09
Accounts Assistant
Wood Recycling Services Ltd
2005.02 - 2005.06
Pricing Administrator
Interbrew UK Ltd
2004.01 - 2005.02
Accounts Assistant
Chiltern Wasteaway Ltd
2001.03 - 2003.12
A-Levels -
Northfields Upper School