Compliance

RCK embody a unique self-regulation approach, with each claim we submit to HMRC being reviewed by our independent, in-house compliance and review team.
RCK’s Robust Compliance and Review Approach making your life easier.

The compliance team exists to protect our clients and colleagues by making sure what we produce as a firm is fair, correct, and well-evidenced. At RCK we take responsibility for the review process, as well as acting as a hub for tax-technical expertise and dealing with any correspondence with the tax authorities.

Our compliance and review team has been made totally independent of our delivery team, as opposed to a more common peer review process.

The team scrutinise each claim with the tax inspector mindset before it goes out – so we have all the answers to the questions HMRC might ask. Not only does this reduce the risk of enquiry, but it makes dealing with those that do arise much more efficient. We look to uplift claims where possible however in the event that you are overclaiming to manage risk we will reduce the amount if necessary.

Day-to-day, we get together as a team and divide the newly-drafted claims between us according to expertise and availability.

Independent Review Process

Reviews take place at the submission stage when written evidence of R&D is drafted, the financial assessment has been calculated, and the complete submission package has been finalised. Our team manage the list of deadlines for the firm, whether this is submissions to HMRC, or correspondence deadlines agreed with clients or inspectors. We also have a daily check up with our consultants to make sure nothing slips through the gaps.
Meet the Compliance Team

Compliance Team

Sophie Spells

Head of Legal, Data and Compliance and General Counsel

Sophie’s legal career has spanned over 13 years. Prior to joining RCK she has spent the last seven years leading an in-house legal, data and compliance team at a top law firm. Her experience incorporates all things legal (contracts/ litigation/ corporate), data protection, procurement, costs challenges, funding, compliance and dispute resolution. Prior to this, she worked in private practice in asset finance at Norton Rose, specialising in Shipping and Aviation Finance.

In her roles as both General Counsel and Head of Legal, Data and Compliance, Sophie safeguards the business by ensuring the adoption of best-practice principles in all areas of corporate governance and departmental procedure. With her wealth of legal, data and compliance knowledge she is consistently tightening RCK’s security which is consistent with RCK’s adopted mission to be the safest and most security-conscious provider of services in our industry.
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Richard Hill

Head of Compliance and Risk

Richard is an experienced Chartered Accountant who has been working in the R&D sector for more than a decade. Prior to his career in accountancy and Innovation Tax reliefs, he was an engineer at an aerospace and defence company and specialises in bringing together his detailed tax knowledge with a strong understanding of the challenges faced by professionals carrying out R&D in industry.

As Head of Compliance and Risk, Richard is responsible for ensuring that all claims made by RCK are strictly held to the rigorous standards set by the firm, meaning that they are fully compliant with both the legislation and HMRC’s guidance without compromising on the value of relief that clients are entitled to. Richard also supports clients with their correspondence with HMRC Inspectors and has a strong track record in resolving HMRC enquiries in a mutually beneficial manner for his clients and the revenue.

Chris Johnson (Former HMRC)

Compliance Manager

Chris Johnson joined RCK Partners from HMRC, where he was a Higher Officer within VAT compliance, dealing with complex VAT cases. Chris has also gained extensive experience working within the private banking sector as a Senior Trust Officer, where he gained a high level of taxation knowledge in capital gains, inheritance and income tax.
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Felix Medd

HMRC Liaison Lead

Felix graduated from UCL with a BA in Classics, after which he went on to work in Mergers & Acquisitions, initially in London, later moving to the firm’s office in Hong Kong. After returning to the UK, Felix spent more than 3 years as an R&D Client Manager, leading technical meetings and report writing, later moving to an accountancy firm for a year and a half, where he worked on HMRC enquiries and managed both internal & external R&D clients.

Gosia Szalega

HMRC Liaison

Gosia obtained BSc (Hons) in Pharmaceutical Chemistry and MSc in International Business and Management. She has previously spent more than 3 years working in R&D Tax both in the UK and in Canada, where she was heavily involved in claim preparation and defence.
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Alex Marshall

HMRC Liaison

Alex Marshall joined RCK directly from HMRC’s R&D department, bringing more than 3 years of experience as an R&D Compliance officer. In his new role as HMRC Liaison at RCK, Alex will play a crucial role in the Compliance team by responding to HMRC enquiries and advising on our approach to claims.

Pia Chakrabarty

Assistant Manager - Compliance

Pia is an audit and accounting professional with extensive experience in statutory audit procedures, accounting principles and financial reporting.

She has audited clients listed on various stock exchange (NSE/BSE/SEC) in sectors such as manufacturing, IT services and healthcare services, and has been responsible for auditing a whole unit of an NSE listed company, performing SOX audit for an SEC listed client.

Pia has assisted clients in preparation of standalone and consolidated financial statements in line with respective accounting framework, with subsidiaries in various countries.
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Taher Ebrahim

Compliance Consultant

Taher graduated from the University of Nottingham with a degree in Economics and French, during which time he studied at the Toulouse School of Economics. With recent experience in the not-for-profit sector, Taher worked as an Assistant Research Analyst in Paris before developing his audit skills back in the UK.

Hiral Shah

Compliance Consultant

Hiral graduated from the University of Kent with a BA Honours in Mathematics and Accounting and Finance. She gained invaluable experience preparing and submitting self-assessment and corporation tax returns for an extensive client portfolio. As a tax professional she has sought to bring her accountancy insight into industry practice. Hiral spent just under two years at an international media company, where she performed prompt reconciliations and coordinated with global entities to submit reports to the board of directors.
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Mohammed Yusufali

Compliance Consultant

Mohammed graduated from University of Portsmouth with a degree in Accounting and Finance. He has worked in various industries including retail and manufacturing with broad commercial acumen and a thorough understanding of the accounting process.