Question 1

How do I schedule a consultation with Parousia?

Accepted Answer

Scheduling a consultation with Parousia is straightforward: For general inquiries and non-urgent matters: Complete the [contact form](/contact) or email us at [PaulaPayen@parousia-accounting.com](mailto:PaulaPayen@parousia-accounting.com)—we typically respond within 24 hours during business days. For urgent HMRC investigation matters: Call our emergency line where you can speak directly with a specialist. We offer both in-person consultations at our London office and remote consultations via secure video conferencing for clients anywhere in the UK or internationally. Initial consultations typically last 60-90 minutes, allowing comprehensive discussion of your situation. When booking, please indicate: • The nature of your matter (HMRC investigation, tax planning, estate planning) • Urgency level • Your preferred consultation format (in-person or remote) • Your availability Our team will confirm your appointment within one business day and provide pre-consultation information gathering forms to maximize meeting efficiency.

Question 2

Do you offer emergency support for HMRC investigations?

Accepted Answer

Yes—we provide immediate emergency support for time-sensitive HMRC investigation matters, particularly COP 9 cases with 60-day response deadlines and criminal investigation scenarios requiring urgent legal representation. For emergency matters: Call our dedicated HMRC emergency line during business hours, or email [PaulaPayen@parousia-accounting.com](mailto:PaulaPayen@parousia-accounting.com?subject=URGENT%20-%20HMRC%20INVESTIGATION) marking your message "URGENT - HMRC INVESTIGATION" for fastest response. We understand that receiving a COP 9 letter, criminal investigation notice, or search warrant creates immediate stress and time pressure. Our emergency support includes: • Same-day or next-day consultation availability for genuine emergencies • Immediate case assessment to understand deadlines and required actions • Preliminary advice to protect your position while comprehensive advice is prepared • Coordination with our Bark & Co criminal defence partners when legal privilege is required After-hours emergency response is available for existing clients and extreme circumstances. The critical factor in HMRC investigation outcomes is often early specialist intervention—don't delay seeking advice.

Question 3

What should I bring to my first consultation?

Accepted Answer

Bring all relevant documentation to maximize first consultation value. For HMRC investigation matters, bring: • The HMRC letter or notice you received • Recent tax returns (last 3-5 years) • Correspondence with HMRC • Any previous advisor communications • A summary of the suspected issues if you're aware of them For tax planning consultations, bring: • Recent tax returns • Details of income sources • Asset lists including property and investments • Existing trust documentation if applicable • Pension statements • Details of your immigration/emigration plans if relevant For estate planning, bring: • Property valuations • Investment portfolios • Existing will and trust documents • Details of lifetime gifts already made • Pension statements Don't worry if you don't have everything—we can obtain missing information later. More important is providing accurate context about your situation during the consultation. If you're uncertain what's relevant, bring everything you think might matter—we'll quickly identify what's important.

Question 4

What are Parousia's consultation fees?

Accepted Answer

Our fee structure depends on service type and complexity: Initial consultations for tax planning matters: Typically range from £500-£1,500 depending on consultation length and complexity. HMRC investigation initial consultations: Often operate on a fixed-fee basis (£2,000-£5,000) including preliminary case assessment, immediate protective advice, and investigation strategy development. Ongoing representation fees are typically structured as: • Fixed fees for defined scopes (e.g., COP 9 disclosure preparation, tax return preparation) • Hourly rates for open-ended advisory work (partner rates £350-500/hour, senior manager rates £200-300/hour) • Monthly retainers for clients requiring ongoing support For complex matters, we provide written fee estimates before commencing work. Many investigation cases operate on conditional fee arrangements where initial payment secures our services with subsequent billings based on actual work performed. Professional fees are typically far exceeded by the tax savings achieved through expert representation. We're transparent about costs—you'll always understand our fee structure before engagement. Payment plans are available for substantial engagements.

Question 5

Can I have remote consultations instead of visiting your office?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely—we provide comprehensive remote consultation services for clients throughout the UK and internationally. Remote consultations use secure video conferencing platforms (Zoom, Microsoft Teams, or your preferred platform) with equivalent effectiveness to in-person meetings. Many clients actually prefer remote consultations: • Save travel time • Allow flexible scheduling • Enable participation from anywhere • Facilitate easier follow-up meetings Remote service includes: • Secure document sharing via encrypted portals • Electronic signature capabilities for engagement documents • Video consultation recordings (with permission) for your reference • Regular video or phone progress updates throughout our engagement We've developed sophisticated remote working capabilities refined over recent years, allowing us to serve international clients seamlessly. However, in-person consultations remain available at our London office for clients who prefer face-to-face meetings or live locally. Hybrid arrangements are also common—initial meeting in-person, subsequent meetings remote. The service quality and expertise are identical regardless of format.

Question 6

How quickly will I receive a response to my inquiry?

Accepted Answer

Response times vary by inquiry urgency: Emergency HMRC investigation matters marked urgent: We typically respond within 2-4 hours during business hours (9am-6pm Monday-Friday). Standard inquiries: Expect response within 24 hours during business days, though often much faster. Complex inquiries: Those requiring research or team consultation may take 24-48 hours for comprehensive response. If your matter has an approaching deadline (HMRC response due, court date, time-limited opportunity), please clearly indicate this in your initial contact—we prioritize deadline-driven matters accordingly. Our team monitors communications throughout the business day. For existing clients with ongoing engagements, response times are typically faster as we maintain active file knowledge. If you haven't received a response within the expected timeframe, please contact us again—occasionally emails are misdirected or technical issues occur. We're committed to responsive, timely communication at all engagement stages.

Question 7

Is my consultation confidential?

Accepted Answer

Yes—absolute confidentiality is fundamental to our practice. All consultations and client communications are protected by professional confidentiality obligations governing chartered accountants. We maintain strict information security practices including: • Encrypted email communications • Secure document portals • Confidential meeting spaces • Restricted file access limited to engagement team members • Comprehensive data protection compliance (UK GDPR) For matters involving potential criminal prosecution risk, we work through our Bark & Co Solicitors partnership to establish legal professional privilege—a stronger protection than accountant-client confidentiality, preventing compulsory disclosure of communications even to law enforcement or courts. We never disclose client information without explicit consent except where legal obligations require disclosure (anti-money laundering reporting, court orders). Our reputation has been built over 38 years on trust and discretion—confidentiality isn't just a legal obligation but a core value. If you have specific confidentiality concerns given your profile or circumstances, we can discuss additional protective measures during consultation.

Question 8

What geographic areas do you serve?

Accepted Answer

While our office is in London, we serve clients throughout the United Kingdom and internationally. Our UK client base spans England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland—HMRC investigation and UK tax matters are federal issues where physical location is largely irrelevant. Remote consultation capabilities allow us to serve clients anywhere effectively. We have particular expertise in international tax matters for: • Individuals emigrating from or immigrating to the UK (regardless of origin or destination country) • US citizens living in the UK • Clients with multi-jurisdictional business operations • Families with global wealth structures For international tax planning, we coordinate with overseas advisors in your residence or citizenship countries, ensuring integrated advice across all relevant jurisdictions. While we specialize in UK tax law, our cross-border experience covers most major economies—US, EU countries, Middle East, Asia-Pacific, and Commonwealth nations. If your matter involves unusual jurisdictions, we maintain an international advisor network providing specialist expertise when needed.

Schedule Your
Consultation

Get in Touch

Telephone

Email

Main Office

Office Hours

Request a Consultation

Professional Confidentiality Guaranteed

Contact & Consultation Frequently Asked Questions

Schedule Your
Consultation

Get in Touch

Telephone

Email

Main Office

Office Hours

Request a Consultation

Professional Confidentiality Guaranteed

Contact & Consultation Frequently Asked Questions

Schedule YourConsultation

Get in Touch

Telephone

Email

Main Office

Office Hours

Request a Consultation

Professional Confidentiality Guaranteed

Contact & Consultation Frequently Asked Questions

How do I schedule a consultation with Parousia?

Do you offer emergency support for HMRC investigations?

What should I bring to my first consultation?

What are Parousia's consultation fees?

Can I have remote consultations instead of visiting your office?

How quickly will I receive a response to my inquiry?

Is my consultation confidential?

What geographic areas do you serve?

Schedule YourConsultation

Get in Touch

Telephone

Email

Main Office

Office Hours

Request a Consultation

Professional Confidentiality Guaranteed

Contact & Consultation Frequently Asked Questions

How do I schedule a consultation with Parousia?

Do you offer emergency support for HMRC investigations?

What should I bring to my first consultation?

What are Parousia's consultation fees?

Can I have remote consultations instead of visiting your office?

How quickly will I receive a response to my inquiry?

Is my consultation confidential?

What geographic areas do you serve?

Schedule Your
Consultation

Schedule Your
Consultation