Helen
Wilkinson

WHO I HELP

Owner-managed businesses. Family businesses. Entrepreneurs. Large Corporate Groups.

HOW I HELP

Advising on a wide range of corporate tax issues including those arising from reorganisations, management buyouts, acquisitions, disposals, share schemes, and incentivising employees.

SECTORS/SUPPORT

All sectors.

“I WILL ALWAYS PERSEVERE & FIND A SOLUTION.”

Based in Leeds, Helen Wilkinson is a Senior Manager within our Corporate Tax team. She works hard to provide tax advice to the owners of companies on the tax issues that arise from the transactions that the businesses and their owners undertake.

Helen helps a wide range of businesses from owner-managed and family businesses, to large corporate groups, all from a variety of sectors.

PROVIDING MULTI-FACETED SUPPORT

“For me, the ideal relationship with a client is to be involved in all aspects of what the client is doing. This allows me to support them from a tax perspective so that I can explain the tax implications and at the same time help them consider whether there may be a better way from a tax angle to meet their objectives. This can include having conversations around how they incentivise their employees but still meet their objectives, to having discussions around when a claim for capital allowances can be made on spending on a new factory upgrade.”

MAKING THE COMPLEX SIMPLE

“Clients expect us to be able to pick up on any possible tax issues in what they are doing and be able to take that away, research it, and conclude whether or not there is a problem. If there is, then clients know we will always come back with a possible solution. Clients can also trust that even the most complicated tax aspects will be explained clearly and succinctly so that they understand the position.”

FINDING A SOLUTION TOGETHER

“When working with both clients and colleagues, the most satisfying aspect for me is explaining something complex in a way that all can know what the issue is so that we can work together to find a solution. I very much enjoy working with junior team members helping them progress and prepare work that they can be proud of.”

UTILISING TECH

“Historically, a lot of my work has been by email but one of the blessings from COVID has been the acceptance of video calls. A discussion that may not have needed an in-person meeting can now be done on teams allowing a much more personal service. Not as good as a face-to-face meeting but certainly a good halfway house.”

KEEPING UP WITH TAX LEGISLATION

“Tax legislation keeps on growing and all the time there is something new to learn about, whether it relates to a client in a different sector, operating outside of the UK, or just undertaking an unusual transaction. What is great about being in AAB is the team and being able to call people who are specialists in different areas or just have a general chat with the wider team and bounce an issue around. That wider input always gives you something to think about and a new insight into the position.”

THE OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN

“For me personally, the most exciting thing about the future at AAB is being part of that larger team. This allows me to discuss the different aspects of what my clients are doing with a wider range of people and bring their different insights into my recommendations. It also allows me to work on a wider range of clients concentrating on the aspects of tax advice I enjoy the most. For AAB, there is so much happening; new international connections are being made and we can now advise and help our clients in so many more areas from Customs Duty to financial planning.”

RANGE OF KNOWLEDGE

“My greatest strength is probably having a wide range of tax knowledge and experience. This enables me to identify areas that need further thought even if I don’t know the answer. I’m also determined, and tenacious – clients know that I don’t give up on a problem. I will always persevere and find a solution.”