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January 15, 2025
I’m really excited to launch a new interview series that focuses on the UK/US tax sector, aiming to provide insights for those looking to enter the industry.
In the first conversation, held via Zoom with follow-up, we get into some of the opportunities and challenges the industry presents, and highlight why it’s a good field to join while addressing potential challenges like overlapping deadlines and demanding clients.
Our guest for this first session is a seasoned, dual-qualified UK/US Tax Director running a 3 person firm in South London. While she wishes to remain anonymous, her expertise and career journey offer useful insights for anyone considering this path.
I've already lined up another guest for February, but I'll be always looking for others! Contributions can be anonymous or open, written or recorded. Just let me know.
1. Can you tell me who you are, your current role, and what you do day-to-day?
I am a UK and US tax professional specialising in UK/US tax. Most of my work involves helping Americans living in the UK manage the complexities of two very different tax systems. Day to day, I might be working on tax planning, preparing filings, or giving advice on cross-border tax issues. Something new is always coming across my desk, which keeps it interesting.
2. How did it all begin? What sparked your interest in tax, and what led you to specialise in the UK/US space?
It sort of started back at university in Manchester many years ago. My aunt had just moved to the UK from the US and was overwhelmed by the tax requirements. She asked me for help, and while I didn’t know much about it at the time, I decided to look into it. The more I learned, the more I realised how complicated and interesting cross-border tax could be.
That experience showed me that tax wasn’t just about numbers; it was about solving real problems for people, so quite different to what I had always been told. It stuck with me, and even though I started my career in UK tax, I always knew I wanted to specialise in the UK/US space.
3. Can you walk us through your career path? What were some key moments or decisions that got you to where you are today?
I started in a pretty normal way, an entry-level tax role at a regional firm in Manchester focused on UK personal tax. US tax wasn’t part of my job initially, but I kept it in the back of my mind as something I wanted to explore.
A few years later, I moved to London and joined a firm that specialised in UK/US tax. That was a turning point. They liked that I had a solid UK tax foundation from my ATT and a basic understanding of US tax from my own research. It gave me the chance to work on cross-border cases and really dive into this niche. I later set up my own firm which I run now, with the main aim of having a better work life balance than I had before, largely because I get to determine how many clients we take on.
4. What makes the UK/US tax space so unique and appealing compared to other areas of tax?
The US tax system is so different from most others, and that is part of what makes it interesting. It is also incredibly far reaching; whether it's Americans individuals moving to the UK or businesses expanding internationally, it likely has a US tax element. So for me, it is not just about numbers but about helping people navigate big life changes, it can be quite personal depending on what area you work in.
For graduates, it is a chance to get involved in meaningful, 'high stakes' work earlier in your career than you might in other areas of tax.
5. Why should someone consider this niche? What’s the career appeal?
There is strong demand for people with US tax experience, which means good job security and lots of career options. Plus, the skills are internationally transferable. If you are thinking about working abroad or with multinational clients, it is a great place to start.
6. What skills or traits are crucial for success in this field?
You have got to be adaptable and willing to learn and there is a lot to take in, especially when you are starting out. Communication is important, too; you need to be able to explain complicated concepts in a way that makes sense to clients and not everyone understands that. And, of course, attention to detail is crucial.
7. What are the main challenges of working within the UK and US tax systems?
The biggest challenge is undoubtedly the sheer number of deadlines. The tax systems in both the UK and the US impose their own filing requirements and timelines, which usually overlap or are closely spaced. For instance, two big US tax deadlines occur in April and October, while the UK’s self assessment deadline falls in January. Juggling these schedules, particularly during the final weeks, can be quite daunting and get overwhelming.
Complicated cases or clients who leave things to the last minute are the main problems. And whilst everyone finds their own way of dealing with these deadlines, more often than not, putting in more hours is the only way of dealing with it, or if possible, depending on your firm reducing the number of clients you take on like I mentioned, which is easier said than done.
8. What keeps you going? What do you love most about your work?
Honestly, running my own firm, I really enjoy the challenge of it. No two clients are the same, so there is always something new to figure out. And I like that the work feels relevant as it's about helping people solve actual problems.
9. How has this career shaped your perspective?
It has helped me think more globally. Dealing with two tax systems forces you to look at things from different angles, and I have developed some specific problem solving skills I wouldn’t have in a purely domestic tax role.
10. What are the biggest challenges you face, and how do you tackle them?
Analysing and keeping up with changes in tax legislation, particularly when you are working with two systems and doing things on your own, without someone above you to tell you. Talking to others in the field and staying connected with industry updates makes it manageable however.
11. Where do you see the UK/US tax space heading in the next few years?
It is definitely growing. More people are living and working internationally, and the IRS isn’t slowing down in its efforts to enforce compliance. For people starting out, that means more opportunities and a field that is always evolving.
Trump’s proposal to end expat taxation faces significant hurdles. To implement it, the US would need to renegotiate complex international tax agreements and design an exit tax framework. This is a a daunting task for a policy affecting only about 6 million Americans, a small fraction of the population.
12. What advice would you give to someone thinking about entering this niche?
Find a good manager. Having someone you trust and can learn from makes such a difference, so that would be my top piece of advice.
13. How does US tax work compare to opportunities in other countries or tax systems?
US tax is unique because of how global it is. The double taxation system means you are inherently often dealing with cross-border issues, which isn’t the with many other jurisdictions. As I said before, it opens up a lot of opportunities if you are interested in working abroad.
14. What does a typical day in your role look like?
It depends on the time of year. During filing season it's mostly tax preparation, so 'paperwork'. Outside of that, I might be involved with tax planning, onboarding new clients or generally speaking working on more complex cases. It is a good mix of structured tasks and problem solving.
15. How do you balance your career with everything else in life?
Time management is key. As you gain experience, you get faster and more confident with the basics, which frees you up to focus on the arguably, more interesting (and challenging) parts of the job.
16. If you had to convince someone why this is a good career to pursue, what would you say?
If you are looking for a career that is intellectually stimulating and globally relevant, this is it. Plus, it is a career you can take almost anywhere, whether that is the US, the UK, or remotely. I know many who really don't like being a tax advisor, but if you choose a firm with a good manager, that is, one who has your back and from whom you can learn, you'll be okay.
The interviewer was Alistair Marriott, Founder of Blackden Consulting, a niche recruitment firm servicing the US & UK/US tax industry.
This interview has been edited for clarity.
Our US Tax Career Spotlight is an interview series we're starting that focuses on the UK/US tax space. If you’d like to discuss your career insights, email us at alistair.marriott@blackdenconsulting.com
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