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I have over 35 year’s experience gained through finance roles in leading global companies and in practice.
My prior practice experience ranged from running the mixed tax department and managing two staff members in a regional accountancy practice up to working with a big four accountancy firm.
When I worked in industry my role involved negotiating complex settlements with HMRC and providing personal tax advice to the directors and 2,500 UK staff members of a US$7Bn turnover company.
When I started my own tax practice in 2006, I decided to focus only on individuals and self-employed people operating below the VAT limit, as it is an area that can have issues accessing affordable quality advice.
As a former ATT Council Member, I have extensive experience working with HMRC.
I represented the ATT on HMRC’s working together partnership, where I had the opportunity to meet with HMRC’s chief executive, Lin Homer.
My expertise is further highlighted by my profile in the ATT’s 2009 Annual Review and my feature in the February 2021 edition of Tax Adviser magazine.
Tax Adviser magazine is the leading monthly publication for all UK tax professionals.
I’m an alumni of the 2014 SBS100, one of only 100 businesses in the UK to be featured by Small Business Saturday in the run up to the event. As a result I was invited to Downing Street, and have also been featured in the press:
Tax Adviser Magazine – February 2015
“ATT Council member James McBrearty banged the drum for small business at 11 Downing Street in an event hosted by Chancellor George Osborne to mark the UK’s second Small Business Saturday. The US-inspired initiative focuses national attention on the nation’s 5.2 million small businesses.
James, whose tax advice practice specialises in advising one-person businesses, said ‘As a small business owner helping other small businesses, it is reassuring to see the Chancellor give his full backing to Small Business Saturday. We are a small but mighty community, acting as key drivers of the economy, taking risks and providing the opportunities for long-term job creation.’”
Having started my business from scratch I joined BNI in 2008 to help increase the number of people I could help.
BNI, the world’s largest and most successful business networking organisation, has helped businesses from over 75 countries grow through its 11,000 chapters since 1985.
As a Director Consultant, I regularly visited local chapters, provided advice, and trained them. With my guidance, and their hard work, one group more than doubled in size within a year and reached the top ten out of 600 groups in the UK.
I was also part of the director team delivering regional group trainings to audiences of over 100 people at a time.
I’ve also attended the BNI International Conferences in Long Beach and Anaheim, and had the pleasure of a 1-2-1 meeting with the founder of BNI at the head office in California.
I’ve also helped BNI members in Spain, visiting one of the local chapters to deliver a training course I developed.
Having been in business for 10 years, I wanted to help people start their own small business from home with low costs and avoiding the common mistakes I’d seen.
In 2016 I launched my own online course to do this.
Join the more than 10,000 entrepreneurs from 156 countries who have already enrolled in my course.
With a 4+/5 rating, my course has been designed to provide practical insights and guidance for success.
I’m dedicated to supporting others in achieving their goals.
I’ve authored two books, to share my experiences in business and to help people grow their own business with low costs and risks.
My first book, Chocks Away, was published in 2010.
My second book, Power Climb, was published in 2012.
Both books have been endorsed by Ivan Misner, Ph.D – NY Times bestselling author and founder of BNI®
I started my business from scratch in 2006 as a sole trader.
Within two years I had grown the business and became limited.
I know exactly what’s involved in starting a small business and growing it, so understand the same challenges my clients have faced with their own small businesses.
In addition to the three fixed-fee packages, I also offer Financial Coaching to help people benefit from my experiences as well as the methods I have adopted.
As a member of MENSA since 1988, I’ve had the pleasure of experiencing group trips to Portmeirion and the British Grand Prix.
My passion for aviation took off during my time as a cadet in the RAF section of the CCF – I went on to complete my Private Pilot’s Licence with night rating and instrument rating (R).
With over 10 years of flying experience under my belt, I logged 350 hours in 18 different types of aircraft before retiring from flying in 2010.
