Sarah
Sargent

Who I help

Private clients. Individuals. Trusts & Estates.  Business owners. High-net-worth individuals. Partnerships & partners.

How I help

Personal Tax compliance. Streamlining processes. Creating efficiencies.

“Getting tax right takes more than ticking boxes – it takes a team.”

Sarah Sargent is a Private Client Director and Head of Tax Compliance based in our Leeds office. Her role involves leading the national compliance function with a clear focus on improving how tax services are delivered, both for clients and internally. With over 20 years of experience spanning personal tax, corporate tax, employment taxes, and trusts, Sarah brings a broad perspective to everything she does.

Her role is varied and fast-paced, currently centred around three key projects: rolling out a tax automation solution across the group, reviewing end-to-end compliance processes to identify smarter ways of working, and helping shape AAB’s approach to Making Tax Digital (MTD) across service lines.

Alongside her project work, Sarah also manages a portfolio of clients, providing hands-on support with tax compliance, filing obligations, and tailored advice. Known for her practical mindset, strong organisation, and passion for technology, Sarah is committed to driving change, creating efficiencies, and ensuring clients get the responsive, proactive service they expect.

Always improving how we work

No two days are ever the same in my role and that’s exactly how I like it. I lead several projects focused on making life easier for both our clients and our people. One of my key priorities right now is implementing a tax automation solution across parts of the business. This technology will streamline how we prepare tax returns, freeing up time for our team and improving the client experience.

I am also looking closely at our existing compliance processes, reviewing the full end-to-end journey with a view to making meaningful improvements and creating smarter efficiencies. On top of that, I’m involved in our Making Tax Digital (MTD) project, collaborating across service lines to shape how we support clients with their MTD obligations.

Alongside these projects, I still work directly with clients, helping them meet filing deadlines, answering their tax questions, and offering clear, practical advice. I also head up tax compliance nationally – a role I’m proud to lead that goes well beyond the Leeds office.

A passion for tax – right from the start

“My tax journey began at university. I took a tax module as part of my accountancy degree, and it just clicked – not only did I do well in it, but I realised this was what I wanted to do. Rather than becoming a traditional accountant, I was drawn to the intricacies of tax and how it connects to every part of business and life.

Over the years, my career has evolved from preparing tax returns to working across a wide range of areas, including corporate tax, employment taxes, payroll and trusts. I’ve gradually found my way into the risk, quality and process side of compliance, where I’ve been able to combine my love of tax with a genuine interest in technology and continuous improvement.”

Seeing the bigger picture

“With over 20 years’ experience in tax, I’ve developed a broad skill set that gives me a clear view of the full picture for our clients. I’m not tied to one specialism – I’ve worked across a wide range of tax areas, which means I can often spot things others might miss. That perspective helps me deliver advice that’s joined-up, practical, and genuinely useful.

I’ve always believed in being responsive, reliable and straight-talking. Clients know that if I say I’ll do something, it gets done on time and to the standard they expect. I’ve built long-standing relationships on that trust, and it’s a huge part of what I value most in my work.”

Here, when you need me

“One thing I hear a lot from clients is how much they appreciate knowing I’m here when they need me, whether it’s to walk through a complex issue or simply talk something over. That feeling of being supported matters to people, especially when tax can feel overwhelming.

It’s also incredibly rewarding when you can help someone through a tricky situation, like dealing with HMRC queries. Knowing what to say, how to approach them, and being able to take that weight off the client’s shoulders – that’s where the value really shows. Clients often come to us feeling stressed, and it’s great to be able to give them peace of mind.”

Bringing others along for the journey

“Change is always a challenge – especially when you’re asking people to think differently about how they work. One of the biggest parts of my role is engaging the team, listening to their views, and making sure they feel involved in what we’re trying to achieve. Even if we can’t implement every idea, creating that open space for input makes a real difference.

I lead by example– what I expect of others is what I do myself. Whether that’s delivering for clients, supporting the team, or rolling out new systems, I make sure we’re always aiming for high standards together.”

More than just boxes and forms

“There’s still a misconception that tax compliance is just about filling out forms – but it’s so much more than that. It’s about understanding people, building relationships, and spotting the opportunities to offer something extra. Our tax compliance team is full of experts who genuinely care about doing things right and doing them well.”