South: James Cowper Kreston strengthens VAT team

Thames Valley and South Coast accountants James Cowper Kreston has strengthened its specialist VAT team with the appointment of VAT manager Nigel Waterfield.

Waterfield joined the firm’s existing VAT team on May 11 following a 30-year career at HMRC where he specialised in VAT.

At James Cowper Kreston he will provide consultancy advice to clients, with a focus on disputes with HMRC, appeal procedures, alternative dispute resolution and complex negotiations with HMRC.

Waterfield brings to the firm a deep understanding of the VAT landscape and the mindset of HMRC.  During his 30-year career he led a team that authorised the release of VAT repayments and error corrections, with an emphasis upon the property development and construction sectors and start-up businesses.  He has also worked in its international trade team and has a detailed understanding of complex place of supply rules.

He said: “James Cowper Kreston is an enormously respected firm with a very strong tax and VAT team.  It has a first-rate entrepreneurial client portfolio that will benefit from the insights that I can bring.  I have worked with Meera Rajah, the firm’s VAT senior manager, for many years within HMRC and am delighted to have the opportunity to work alongside her and the team.”

Robert Holland, managing partner, James Cowper Kreston, said: “We are excited to have Nigel join our growing and expanding team. The VAT landscape is incredible complex and HMRC is taking an ever increasingly tough position on collecting revenues due.  Nigel, with his experience of the internal procedures within HMRC, will be a real asset to our clients.”