A member's view: Matt Boggis

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Associate Director, Creaseys

This month we are excited to shine the spotlight on Matt Boggis, Associate Director at Creaseys, and a CTA.

How did you find out about a career in tax?

I joined Creaseys in 2012 as a graduate trainee and initially started in audit and accounts. However, I got the chance to work in the tax team during a busy December and January and really enjoyed the variety of work and problem solving to find solutions for clients. The opportunity to work across a wide range of clients was really interesting. I asked to stay in the tax team and the rest is history.

Why is the CTA qualification important?

The CTA qualification was invaluable in consolidating my existing knowledge and strengthening my technical knowledge in areas that I hadn’t often come across. It has made me a better rounded tax adviser and given me more confidence, particularly in identifying opportunities and risk areas for clients. It is also great to be a member of the Institute and all this avails in terms of technical training, networking, etc.

What do you enjoy the most about being an Associate Director in tax?

Working with a wide range of clients on a daily basis, developing relationships and supporting them to achieve their goals. I specialise in advising non-residents and non-doms and head up this service line at Creaseys. This involves liaising with advisers in overseas jurisdictions to provide advice to our clients on their global tax position, which I find really interesting.

I also enjoy working collaboratively with the rest of the team here at Creaseys, drawing on our specialisms to provide a holistic service to my clients.

How would you describe yourself in three words?

Approachable, driven and organised.

Who has influenced your career?

I have been really lucky to have worked within a brilliant team at Creaseys throughout my career. We are a training firm and from day one I have felt supported and been given opportunities to stretch myself and improve my skills as a tax adviser.

I have been able to learn from a variety of different people at the firm. There is something I have taken on board from everyone, which has helped to shape me into the adviser I am today – whether that is managing client relationships, developing technical knowledge or helping to develop other team members.

What advice would you give to someone starting their career?

Tax isn’t all about the numbers! It is really important to be able to apply your communication skills to explain complicated subjects in simplified terms to clients. Also, don’t put pressure on yourself that you should immediately know the answer to every question posed by a client. Tax legislation is far too wide for anyone to know everything.

What are your predictions for tax in the future?

If the last few weeks are anything to go by, tax will continue to be ever-changing! We are continuing to take steps towards ‘Making Tax Digital’. I don’t believe, though, that technology will be able to replace the importance and value in having an adviser who knows their client, what they are trying to achieve, and their worries and concerns. The best tax answer may not always be the best answer for the client.

Tell me something about yourself that others may not know about you.

I am a long-suffering Tottenham fan!