Saffery Champness strengthens Scottish VAT team

Sean McGinness

As of today’s announcements, Saffery Champness now has 13 partners across its Scottish offices.

Elaine McInroy, head of the Edinburgh office at Saffery Champness said: We are delighted to welcome Alan to the firm and Sean to the partnership.  Our VAT advisory offering in the Scottish market has gone from strength to strength and additional senior VAT resource is crucial to continue this growth. Alan joins us at an important time as we have great demand for services across Scotland and we will only see this demand increasing.”

Sean McGinness said: “I am delighted to have joined the partnership and to welcome Alan to the firm at a time when we have a strong pipeline of VAT work, and opportunities that require more senior resources. We are working hard with clients across sectors including property development, construction, retail, financial services and our landed estates and rural practice. Our focus as a firm is exceptional client service, with deep and longstanding client relationships fuelling our growth.”

One of the key areas the Scottish VAT team will be working on over the next 12 months is the 1 October 2019 changes to the VAT treatment of services in the construction supply chain.

Mr McGinness added: “These changes are significant for all business in the construction supply chain from sub-contractors to landowners.  It is important that they are understood to ensure appropriate processes and controls are in place from October. Whilst the measures are aimed at VAT evasion they are widely drawn and there is the possibility that businesses could be at risk of unexpected VAT costs and penalties if they do not take action to prepare.”