We have former HMRC tax enquiry officers who were trainers and instructors in HMRC’s flag ship graduate tax specialist training program, designed to produce its future senior leaders and tax enquiry specialists across HMRC. We wrote some of the training material and guidance for enquiry caseworkers on how to conduct and handle enquiries and assess and apply civil penalties.
Using this knowledge and experience we can provide a range of tailored training packages designed to equip professionals, businesses, and their teams with the practical skills and technical knowledge required to navigate tax, compliance, and regulatory challenges with confidence.
Our packages range from accessible, self-paced learning to fully personalised, high-touch training delivered by experienced specialists. Our options include -
Standard Package — Access to high-quality, pre-recorded training sessions covering essential knowledge areas. Ideal for individuals or teams seeking flexible, cost-effective learning at their own pace.
Premier Package — Bespoke, unlimited training tailored to your specific business, industry, or risk profile. Includes live sessions, personalised coaching, and direct access to our experts for ongoing support.
Training Areas Include -
Compliance & Risk Training — Essential for accountants, tax agents, businesses, and in-house teams to stay ahead of regulatory obligations and minimise exposure to financial or reputational risk.
Interviewing Skills — Practical training to build confidence and effectiveness when dealing with HMRC, regulatory bodies, or internal investigations.
HMRC Enquiry Defence Training — Equip your team with the skills and strategies needed to manage and defend against HMRC enquiries or tax investigations effectively.
Additional Bespoke Training — Tailored sessions based on your sector, team requirements, or emerging risks.
In today's regulatory environment, businesses, advisers, and professionals need proactive, practical training that translates into real-world confidence and compliance. Capable of understanding and actively interacting with HMRC enquiry officer/caseworkers/tax specialist with confidence and knowledge.
Whether you are an accountancy firm looking to upskill your team or a business wanting to safeguard your operations, we can design and provide you with the right bespoke training packages for you and provide the tools, knowledge, and peace of mind you need.
Advanced training for HMRC enquiry meetings
Our programme equips directors, in-house finance teams, and professional advisers to plan, run, and follow up enquiry meetings with composure, precision, and control. It is built on first-hand HMRC experience and aligned to HMRC tax enquiries, VAT visits, ADR meeting and Code of Practice 9 up to and including Tax Tribunal preparation.
Programme modules:
1. Scoping and boundary control Identify enquiry type, statutory footing, and agreed agenda. Use Schedule 36 correctly where requests go beyond scope. Practise lawful deferral to written follow up when detail requires records review.
2. Meeting conduct and rights in practice Roles, attendees, and chairing discipline. How to respond within personal knowledge. When and how to involve the adviser. Charter-led language that demonstrates cooperation without over-disclosure.
3. VAT visits and operational readiness What HMRC will examine on site or virtually, how to stage records and walkthroughs, and how to handle discrepancies to limit penalties.
4. R&D enquiries under the merged regime How to evidence competent professional assessments, uncertainty, and qualifying costs, and how to deploy the Additional Information dataset within narratives that withstand challenge.
5. COP9 awareness Understanding the civil fraud pathway, disclosure strategy, and when meeting attendance is prudent or premature.
6. Records, minutes, and follow up Note-taking protocols, requesting HMRC notes within 7 to 14 days, reconciling narratives, and delivering targeted evidence to close points rather than inflame scope.
What you take away:
A pre-meeting plan that defines scope, purpose, attendees, and roles.
An evidence and records checklist tailored to the enquiry themes, including VAT or R&D specifics.
A rights and obligations crib sheet linked to the HMRC Charter, CC factsheets, and Schedule 36.
A meeting-day protocol that embeds the no-recording rule, with templates for contemporaneous notes and post-meeting corrections.
Practical tips that change outcomes:
Script your first ten minutes: opening statement, scope confirmation, and agreement on written follow up for technical points.
Answer only what is asked: address facts cleanly, avoid speculation, and hand technical questions to the adviser.
Close with clarity: summarise points agreed, evidence to be supplied, and deadlines. Request a copy of HMRC’s notes of the meeting at the end.