Patrick
McCullagh

Who I help

SMEs. Owner-Managed Businesses. Large Corporations. Large Corporate Groups.

How I help

Corporation Tax Compliance. Corporate tax-related queries.

Sectors/Specialisms

Leisure, retail & hospitality. Construction & Property. Industrial.

“I help clients make informed decisions that will set them up for success.”

Patrick McCullagh is an Corporate Tax Assistant Manager based in our Belfast office. His role involves assisting clients of all sizes from SMEs to large corporate groups in meeting their corporation tax compliance requirements and deadlines.

Leveraging his experience of working for Big4 companies, Patrick prides himself on his strong understanding and technical knowledge of larger corporate group tax issues and is always willing to impart his knowledge to his team.

Helping clients make informed decisions

“For me, an ideal relationship with a client is built on trust, clear communication, and personalised service. It’s about being approachable, listening to their needs, and explaining tax matters in a way that’s easy to understand. By staying proactive and ahead of changes to rules and regulations, I help clients make informed decisions that will set them up for success.

I recognise that confidentiality is key to establishing trust. I aim to build long-term partnerships that support clients’ financial goals. Working with a wide range of clients of different sizes and from diverse sectors means that their goals are hugely varied, so we must take the time to fully get to know each client and understand their positioning and what they want to achieve.”

Achieving financial goals

“One of the most satisfying aspects of working with clients is helping them navigate complex tax regulations to achieve their financial goals. It’s rewarding to see the positive impact of my advice on their businesses and personal finances. I pride myself on being approachable and I’m always happy to explain the more intricate details if our clients want to understand the tax process better.”

A collaborative environment

“I work within a fantastic team of tax professionals, and I value the collaborative environment where we share diverse perspectives and expertise. This teamwork not only enhances our problem-solving abilities but also fosters a supportive and dynamic workplace.

In addition to our tax experience, we can also utilise team members’ knowledge across the wider firm in audit, corporate finance, business advisory, HR and more. AAB is a full-service firm and it’s great to be able to offer our clients the best possible support in every area.”

A balanced approach

“When it comes to communicating with our clients, I prefer a balanced approach that combines virtual and hands-on methods. Virtual meetings and digital tools are great for convenience and efficiency, allowing for quick updates and easy access to information. However, I value face-to-face interactions for building stronger relationships and understanding clients’ needs more deeply. This mix ensures that I can provide personalised, effective advice while staying flexible and accessible.”

Specialised knowledge & adaptability

“One of the greatest challenges I’ve come across in corporation tax practice in Northern Ireland is navigating the constantly changing tax regulations, which requires staying proactive and well-informed. Clients rely on us to be on the ball, and we must keep them updated and compliant with the latest rules.

Additionally, dealing with complex cross-border tax issues due to Northern Ireland’s unique position requires specialised knowledge and adaptability. Maintaining a positive attitude and enthusiasm is crucial to overcoming these challenges and fostering a collaborative environment.”

Working closely with our clients

“Having joined AAB from training in a Big4 Corporate Tax team, one of the things I’m looking forward to most is working more closely with owner-managed businesses and getting to know clients and their rounded business needs. I’m passionate about understanding the wider Northern Ireland business market and the issues facing clients currently and in the future. Increasing my knowledge in this area means I can pre-empt and address any areas of concern our clients might come across and identify any opportunities they might not be aware of too.”

A proactive approach to tax planning

“The experience I’ve gained throughout my professional career is one of the greatest strengths I believe I bring to both the team and my clients. I have in-depth knowledge of additional tax compliance requirements and associated group tax planning that I’m able to utilise to better understand the reporting requirements of larger groups. Clients often increase in size, and this allows me to provide them with a more proactive tax planning approach rather than a reactive one.