Brian GoochTax Technical Director

There are not many VAT specialists around with Brian's pedigree.

  • 25% Rail Enthusiast
  • 20% Church Board Member
  • 25% Music Lover
  • 20% Board Gamer
  • 3.142% Pie lover
  • 6.858% Pedant

ProfessionalExpertise

  • Chartered Tax Adviser
  • Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales
  • 7 years experience with KPMG
  • 15 years experience with a large independent South Yorkshire firm
  • VAT specialist
  • Significant experience of tax planning and dealing with HMRC enquiries and VAT reviews

I joined Shorts after many years working in tax at both national and regional firms, and I am both a Chartered Accountant and a Chartered Tax Adviser.

I work extensively in the corporate owner managed business sector, covering transactional taxes, property taxes including Stamp Duty Land Tax and VAT, and all areas of business tax planning. I have considerable experience in maximising tax efficiency by reviewing business structures and planning corporate reorganisations.

As an experienced VAT expert, I head the VAT advisory team. My understanding of risk areas for businesses enables me to cover all aspects, from common areas of mistake to complex issues such as international and commercial property transactions where the VAT at stake can be substantial. I see one of my key strengths as being able to make sense of complex tax legislation.

 

Brian’s areas of specialism;

Business Taxes VAT

My personal journey at Shorts



An important part of my decision to move to Shorts in 2016 was that they seemed to be a progressive firm that respected, trusted, and valued its employees, and this has proved to be my experience.

They tailored the role that I was to move into to my strengths, and as a result, I am less stressed and able to be more productive and feel more fulfilled in my role.

There is a great, friendly atmosphere across the firm, and flexibility in working arrangements to accommodate family and household commitments, both of which are modelled and encouraged by the partners.

I particularly appreciate the level of our IT capability and the responsiveness of the IT team. Even pre-Covid we had the capability to work from home with full network access, and I have been encouraged to make use of that whether to have somewhere away from distractions to keep my head down and focus, to be able to get to a parents’ evening or to be present at home for tradesmen or important deliveries.

Having previously worked for a number of years each at two different firms, the atmosphere and attitude at Shorts are much more relaxed yet still professional.

An award winning team

View the entire team