Glen Small - VAT & Indirect Tax Director at Johnston Carmichael.
Based in Johnston Carmichael’s Newcastle office, Glen Small is a CIOT award-winning Chartered Tax Adviser with over a decade of experience in VAT and Indirect Tax.
After training and qualifying with the Big 4, Glen joined Johnston Carmichael in 2022, where he advises a wide range of clients on pragmatic, commercially driven VAT solutions. His work has helped businesses recover VAT, reduce irrecoverable costs, and structure their operations to mitigate tax and duty liabilities.
What inspired you to become an Accountant, and what path did you take to get here?
It may surprise some readers, but I’m not actually an accountant by training. I originally studied law at Northumbria University and worked in the student law office. After graduating, I joined Lloyds Banking Group arranging financial products for clients. My career turned towards tax when I applied to Deloitte for a Corporation Tax role, but during the process, I was told (perhaps as a compliment, perhaps not!) that I was a ‘VAT person’. That set me on the path I’ve followed ever since, later joining PwC, qualifying as a Chartered Tax Adviser, and building my career in VAT before moving to Johnston Carmichael.
What are the most common financial mistakes individuals and businesses make?
In terms of VAT, a frequent pitfall is assuming that complex tax reliefs can be applied with minimal checking. These reliefs often come with detailed and sometimes subjective rules, and they’re a regular focus for HMRC. The safest approach is to look at each case carefully, rather than applying a blanket assumption.
How has technology changed the accounting profession, and what tools do you rely on most?
In our VAT team at Johnston Carmichael, we use AI to analyse case law decisions more quickly and accurately. Of course, it still requires the oversight of experienced advisers, but it significantly reduces the time needed to digest precedent case law. This benefits clients directly, as we can either pass on time savings or spend more time offering valuable insights.
What advice would you give to small business owners looking to improve their financial health?
From a VAT lens, it’s worth reviewing historical VAT filings to see if errors have led to overpayments. Common examples include applying the standard rate of VAT where a reduced rate applied, or even double-counting sales transactions in ledgers. In many cases, businesses can reclaim VAT from HMRC. Some advisers offer this work on a ‘no-win, no-fee’ basis, which can make it a low-risk opportunity to improve financial health.
How do you help clients navigate tax planning and ensure compliance with regulations?
I’m not always a fan of blanket ‘VAT health checks’, as they can sometimes feel like using a sledgehammer to crack a walnut. Instead, I recommend sitting down with our team for an hour to talk through business activities and how VAT interacts with them. Often that’s enough to highlight areas of risk or opportunity, and from there we can take a more tailored approach.
What are the biggest financial trends or challenges businesses should prepare for in the coming years?
The big one is HMRC’s new approach to interest and penalties on VAT errors. Previously, liabilities often stopped at the VAT error itself. Now, penalties and interest are being pursued much more actively. That makes robust systems, controls and software more important than ever.
What qualities make a great Accountant, and how do you build strong client relationships?
Curiosity. Taking the time to really understand how financial rules apply to a client’s specific situation is the only way to deliver first-class advice. Problems tend to arise when advisers jump too quickly to a generic answer or simply tell clients what they want to hear.
How do you handle the pressure of working with tight deadlines and complex financial issues?
I think this is a skill learned over time. The key is communication, with both clients and colleagues. Heavy workloads are often the result of being good at what you do, so it’s important not to see them as a punishment. By regularly reassessing deadlines and keeping people informed, bottlenecks can usually be resolved with the support of those around you.
What’s one piece of financial advice you think everyone should follow?
Recognise the difference between cost and value. Cutting corners for the sake of a small saving can easily result in much bigger losses later. Spend money wisely and take advice when the stakes are high.
What do you enjoy most about being an Accountant, and what keeps you motivated in your profession?
As much as I enjoy VAT legislation and case law, what really motivates me is helping people. Whether it’s supporting businesses to achieve their financial goals, reducing their risks, or mentoring colleagues to develop and progress in their careers, the reward is in making a real difference.
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