Our People

Emily Whitfield

  • Senior VAT Manager

Our People

Emily Whitfield

  • Senior VAT Manager

What do you do?

I’m a Senior VAT Manager here at CP, which basically means I help businesses make sense of the wonderfully complex world of VAT. If I were explaining it to my family and friends, I’d say I’m the person who stops companies from accidentally giving too much money to HMRC—or not enough and getting into trouble for it. I work with a wide range of clients, from start-ups to established firms, helping them navigate VAT rules, spot opportunities, and stay compliant without the complex jargon. It’s about making VAT feel a bit less like a mystery and a bit more manageable.

Why do you do it?

I’ve always been someone who enjoys digging into the detail and figuring out how things work, so VAT was a natural fit. It’s like tackling a challenge—every client brings a different scenario, and I love getting stuck in to find the best, most practical solution. What really drives me, though, is helping people. Whether it’s saving them time, money, or stress, I get a real buzz from making a difference and turning something complex into something clear and manageable. I also love reading and digging into detail, so the VAT cases, (particularly those on food!) are one of my favorite weekly reads on my commutes.

I’ve been fortunate to work on a wide variety of VAT projects, with a particular focus on international supplies of goods and services, retail, and property. These areas are constantly evolving and bring a mix of technical complexity and commercial insight, which keeps things interesting. That said, VAT touches almost every sector, so I’ve also had the chance to get involved in all sorts of other areas—no two days are ever the same. Naturally, my love of food and shopping means I’ve especially enjoyed working with clients in those industries—it’s always more fun when you can combine your interests with your work!

What’s on top of your bucket list?

Top of my bucket list is going on a safari with my family. I’ve always loved animals and would really enjoy the chance to see them in their natural habitats—somewhere like Kenya or South Africa. It’s something I’ve dreamed of doing for a long time, and I think it would be an amazing experience to share together making memories!