How an engagement at The Tax Lead actually runs — from your first enquiry through Discovery Call, written scope, fixed-fee quote, engagement letter, kick-off, implementation, live operation, and quarterly review. Transparent, dated, and committed in writing before any work begins.
The journey from first contact to live operations breaks into eight phases. Each one has an owner, a duration, and a defined output. You see fixed fees and dates in writing before any phase begins.
You submit a brief enquiry via the website form, email (info@thetaxlead.ae) or phone (+971 56 755 6954). WhatsApp also fine. We acknowledge within one business day with a proposed Discovery Call slot.
Free 20-minute call. We understand your situation, confirm which audience fits best (sometimes more than one), which services apply, and whether a specialism overlaps. No sales pressure, no commitment. If we’re not the right firm, we’ll say so and refer out.
Within two business days of the Discovery Call, we send a written scope document and a fixed-fee quote. The scope names every deliverable, who does what, and what’s explicitly excluded. The fee shape matches your audience — monthly package, project fee, or ongoing retainer.
You sign the engagement letter electronically (Signwell, DocuSign, or similar). It carries the scope, the fee, the deliverables, the deadlines, the limits of our engagement, and the 30-day notice policy. Deposit or first instalment invoiced on signing.
45-minute kick-off call to introduce the team you’ll be working with (Chartered Tax Adviser lead + delivery team). We send a structured document request list via the client portal — typically IDs, prior-year accounts, bank statements, VAT returns, licence documents, as applicable.
The actual delivery phase. For a new UAE arm: licence application, residence visa, bank account, UAE CT & VAT registration, Xero setup, first month’s bookkeeping, UAE Tax Residency Certificate. For a review engagement: fact-gathering, analysis, written report. Weekly progress tracker shared with you throughout.
The ongoing engagement rhythm. Monthly bookkeeping cycle, quarterly VAT returns, annual CT return, annual accounts. Standing monthly call (30 minutes) + ad-hoc WhatsApp support within 24h working. For OHT clients, standing weekly or bi-weekly cadence with Group Head of Tax or CFO.
Quarterly review of risks, open items, upcoming filings. Annual tax position summary covering CT, VAT, QFZP, TP, and anything else material. Scope review every 12 months — expand (new entity, new service), simplify (close an old entity), or renew as-is. All changes agreed in writing before implementation.
The engagement letter commits us to specific standards. These aren’t marketing promises — they’re contractual obligations on every engagement, backed by our professional insurance and ACCA regulation.
Different communication channels for different purposes. We don’t force every exchange through one tool — we match the channel to the type of message.
Quick questions, real-time coordination, time-sensitive. For 1-sentence back-and-forth.
24h workingFormal correspondence, structured questions, document attachments, written positions.
1-2 bus. daysDocument exchange, invoicing, deliverables storage, engagement letters. Dext or Xero HQ.
Live 24/7Monthly standing calls (30 min) + ad-hoc for substantive discussions. Teams / Zoom / Google Meet.
ScheduledOur fee discipline is one of the main reasons clients stay. Fixed fees in your preferred currency (AED / GBP / EUR / INR), named in the engagement letter, agreed before any work starts. Scope changes are quoted and signed off before implementation, not sprung on you in the next month’s invoice.
Hourly billing is available if you specifically request it — but almost nobody does. Fixed fees mean you know the cost; we know the scope; both sides focus on outcomes, not timesheets.
Request a written quote →Book a free 20-minute Discovery Call. We’ll scope your situation, confirm which audience(s) and service(s) fit, and send a written fixed-fee quote within two business days.