Imogen Calderwood
SOCIAL skills, sparkling wit and a degree in languages aren’t the characteristics you would expect of a personal tax advisor, but Alex Browne is no ordinary financial expert.
Managing Director of Browne Freeman, which launched in Andalucia in 2013, Alex relocated to Spain with the sole purpose of helping his clients translate the ins and outs of Spanish tax law.
“Helping people is my main reason for coming to Spain,” says Alex, who moved to Spain having worked for eight years at leading global accountancy firm Deloitte in London.
“People need good tax advice out here. The tax laws are so complicated and there’s so much scrutiny of personal tax at the moment,” adds the linguist, who studied German and Spanish at Durham University.
The firm, based in Mijas Costa, is designed specifically for British expats, offering professional advice on the regularly changing tax laws in both Spain and the UK.
As a Brit himself Alex is perfectly placed to understand the needs of his fellow expats, with a staff made up of British natives who speak Spanish as well as a local Spanish accountant.
The driving force behind Browne Freeman is its commitment to excellent customer service, offering a free no-obligation initial consultation to best get to know the needs of the client.
With his esteemed ‘Chartered Tax Advisor’ (CTA) qualification and his time at Deloitte, Alex has worked with a huge variety of clients, from high-net worth individuals and entrepreneurs, to those who can make neither head nor tail of their taxes.
“I’ve always found that people prefer to deal with a person. I really enjoy building up a relationship with my clients over a long period of time,” adds Alex, who spent a year living in Pamplona during his degree.
“Once you know someone, you know what they are interested in. You know if they are thinking about buying a house soon, or are starting a family, so you know what they really need from their finances.”
Offering a combined UK and Spanish tax service, Browne Freeman provides an easy route for those struggling to navigate the two countries’ separate tax regimes.
“When you’re dealing with clients who have a background in the English tax market, it helps to be able to compare the Spanish system with the English. It makes sure that nothing is lost in translation.”
For further information, visit www.brownefreeman.es, or call 952 907 731.
