New Manchester boutique VAT firm targets growth with MHA

News
07/11/2017


A new boutique VAT firm has been launched in the North West by three former PwC VAT specialists.


Manchester-based MHA Mtaxco has been set up by Jonathan Main, Alison Carey and Raphael Suissa.


The firm has joined MHA – the association of independent UK accountancy firms – and will operate under the MHA brand.


It is the first specialist provider to be invited to join MHA. The move will allow the new firm to conduct more work on a national and international level and bring additional specialist sector expertise to MHA’s existing VAT network.


Jonathan Main, managing partner of MHA Mtaxco, said:

“VAT never stops changing, so there’s always significant demand for support in this complex area. Launching the business as part of MHA provides an opportunity for us to complement the tax services provided by other member firms.

We share a commitment to offering a high-quality service, backed by a breadth and depth of experience to meet the demands of clients.”


Rakesh Shaunak, MHA chairman, said:

“MHA Mtaxco joining the association represents a milestone in the development of our national service footprint. Being able to offer expert advice and support in specialist areas such as VAT is a strategic priority, enabling us to build our business across the UK and further support the needs of existing MHA clients.”


Jonathan, an indirect tax adviser since 1989, was formerly a partner in PwC’s Tax North practice. He is also the former head of PwC’s alternative dispute resolution practice within indirect tax. He has experience of successfully negotiating and settling complex disputes with HMRC. His sector experience includes the public sector, education, travel, real estate, telecoms, betting and gaming, utilities and food production.


Alison is a chartered tax adviser and chartered accountant with almost 25 years’ experience in VAT, advising clients from major high street names to small independent businesses. A former senior manager in indirect tax at PwC, her areas of specialism are retail, travel and not-for-profit, where she combines technical and sector expertise. Her wider experience includes property, education, financial services and betting and gaming.


Raphael is a chartered tax adviser and a chartered certified accountant with over 20 years of indirect tax experience and was also a senior manager at PwC. In recent years, he has worked extensively in the public and not-for-profit sectors, with particular expertise in the establishment of arms-length bodies created by local authorities and the VAT issues they face. He has also worked across other sectors, including real estate and education.


Founded in 2010 on an invitation only basis, MHA member firms benefit by being able to offer clients specialist services in more local markets. Employees of member firms also benefit through shared professional development resources.


Operating from 50 offices nationwide, MHA member firms collectively employ 179 partners and around 2,200 staff, with a combined turnover of £130m.


MHA member firms are also part of Baker Tilly International, the world's ninth largest network of independent firms that provide accounting, assurance, tax and specialist business advice.