Neil started working in VAT in 1983 – he spent 14 years as an inspector in HM Customs and Excise before setting up his own tax and accounting practice in 1997. He has been the main VAT consultant for a number of small and medium sized accountancy practices, including Keens Shay Keens Ltd based in Luton. He has developed a reputation for being able to simplify complex VAT problems, giving straightforward advice in plain English. As well as VAT consultancy work, Neil also writes on VAT for most of the leading tax publications in the UK – including “Taxation”, “Practical VAT Newsletter”, “CCH VAT News”, “Accounting Web” and “Tax Adviser” He is also a featured tax writer for the Early Bird newsletter serivce on www.uktaxworld.com. He is the author of Tolley's annual VAT Planning book. His articles focus on practical topics of interest to the general practitioner – with clear solutions and advice on everyday problems Neil won the prestigious LexisNexis Tax Writer of the Year award in 2008, having also been a finalist in 2007. The LexisNexis awards are recognised as the highest within the tax industry. Neil also acts as a technical expert on VAT for a number of publishers, reviewing the accuracy of books and articles written by other VAT authors. He is a member of the Technical Committee for the Association of Taxation Technicians, specialising in VAT issues. He was a part-time lecturer at Barnfield College in Luton for five years and also worked as a freelance lecturer for BPP. He now concentrates his efforts solely on VAT and lectures extensively on the tax throughout the UK. As an accountant, Neil has a portfolio of clients ranging from sole traders and partnerships to small limited companies.
