Graham Elliott provides advice on all aspects of VAT, and also advises on SDLT, and on aspects of Gift Aid where they interact with VAT. He is a Chartered Tax Advisor (1995) and an MBA (Warwick 2000). He also holds a 1st Class Degree in History.
sector specialisation
Graham’s practice is broad, but he has a particular focus on Real Estate and the Not for Profit sector. Within the latter category he is very well known amongst Arts & Culture organisations for VAT advice in a technically complex area. He also acts extensively for not for profit sports organisations. His services range from specific transaction support, to handling ongoing issues. He particularly involves himself in dealing on behalf of his clients with HM Revenue & Customs where negotiation services are needed. He frequently instructs Counsel on behalf of clients, and supports Counsel in case hearings.
Graham is also part of our forensic services team specialising in advising on points of VAT interpretive detail, and HMRC's policy on VAT treatment of transactions.
approach
Graham’s approach is essentially practical and “bottom line” driven. He always assesses the organisational and commercial impact of any advice given, to ensure that the advice produces real savings or simplifications. He makes sure that the he remains involved until the final result is achieved (where clients wish this), and does not treat advice as a theoretical or purely technical exercise. However, as VAT legislation is amongst the most complex of any branch of law, he seeks to communicate the issues clearly, according to the particular needs of each client, without oversimplifying or ignoring the essential complexity of the subject.
speaking and writing
Graham is in demand as a speaker and panel participant, and regularly performs this role, “pro bono” for The Charities Tax Group, the Charity Finance Directors’ Group, and the Association of British Orchestras.
He writes a monthly column in Accountancy, and contributes regularly to De Voil Indirect Tax Intelligence, Charity Finance, the Charity Finance Yearbook, and Estates Gazette. He is a member of the editorial board of De Voil Indirect Tax Intelligence, and was voted Tax Writer of the Year 2011.
qualifications
• Chartered Tax Advisor (member of the Chartered Institute of Taxation)
• MBA (Warwick University, 2000)
• BA, 1st Class, History, University of Sheffield
interests
Graham is a keen performing musician who plays in a variety of top class London amateur orchestras and other ensembles. He plays all kinds of clarinet in this context, and is one of very few amateur players to play regularly on vintage instruments, which in his case were made 90 - 100 years ago. In 2004 he participated in the making of a recording of Walford Davies’ Everyman oratorio for the Dutton commercial label; which may be the only case of an amateur orchestra being used for a fully commercial recording contract.
Graham is a trustee of a highly respected music charity.