I’m James McBrearty, and have always specialised in personal tax. I built up my experience in industry and practice over 17 years before going on to found my own practice in 2006.
In practice I ran the tax department and managed staff in a Surrey accountancy practice. I’ve also worked with a big four firm. In industry, I’ve negotiated complex settlements with HMRC. I’ve also provided personal tax advice to the directors and UK staff of a $7 billion turnover company.
Professional qualifications
I achieved the CAT qualification in 1999, and the ATT qualification in 2001.
In was awarded fellowship of my professional association in 2011, and received my membership certificate at the ceremony held at the House of Lords:
I have also volunteered for the association, and was the ATT representative on HMRC’s working together partnership in Tolworth, where I met with HMRC’s former chief executive Lin Homer.
I served on the ATT Member Steering Group from 2009-2015, and was a member of ATT council in 2014-2015.
Business Awards
Having won a place in the Small Business Saturday 100, I was invited to Downing Street in December 2014:
In July 2018, I achieved the Bronze level of The Duke of York’s Inspiring Digital Enterprise Award(iDEA) – I have since gone on to complete the Silver Level, achieving the Silver Star award for passing every optional module.
I was invited to St. James’s Palace by HRH The Duke of York, KG for the official launch event of the Silver iDEA award in November 2018.
I have also won several awards in the Surrey Digital Awards, competing against much larger businesses in Surrey.
I won Silver in the 2018 awards, Bronze in the 2016 awards, Gold in the 2015 awards, and was a finalist in the 2017 awards.
Author
I have two small business books to my name. The first, Chocks Away, published in 2010. My second book, Power Climb, published in 2012. Both of my books have been endorsed by a New York Times bestselling author.
Presentations to help people grow their business
Most of my presentations have been in London and the South East. I’ve also presented to local businesses in Spain. Presentations in the UK include to a group of 50 financial advisers at the London School of Economics and to 85 chartered accountants in Guildford, Surrey. I have also lectured to a class of entrepreneurs at St Mary’s University, Twickenham.
My business course
To help people start and grow a small business I developed an online course in 2016.
I now have more than 7,400 students enrolled, in 150 countries around the world. You can find out more from the small business course page.
Outside of work
I qualified as a private pilot in 2000. I’m currently taking a break from flying and looking forward to the next generation of light aircraft planned for the near future – such as The Lilium Jet.
I have been a member of Mensa since 1988. Through my membership I’ve enjoyed several of the group’s annual trips. Particularly memorable are those to Portmeirion and the British Grand Prix.
