About Us

A C Tax Services was started in July 1987 by Angela Coleby working from her home in Brighton. The business started out by offering payroll, book-keeping and personal tax services to a handful of clients.

Angela offered a personal, professional service that was preferred by most to the impersonal, corporate equivalent of bigger firms. The services offered by A C Tax services proved highly successful as the company took on more and more businesses and clients.

In March 2000 Angela’s husband, Steve joined the business. An ex-revenue inspector with over 30 years of experience. Steve proceeded to develop and increase the services offered by the company. Offering limited company accounts production, HMRC enquiry services and comprehensive tax advice and planning. Steve's experience helped further the growth of A C tax services, by taking on more clients, offering a greater variety of services whilst maintaining the company’s philosophy of a personal, friendly, professional service at affordable rates.

10 Years ago Sean, Steve and Angela’s son came into the practice after qualifying and gaining valuable experience at local firms Hartley Fowler LLP and Crunch. Sean had been responsible for over 800 clients during his time at Crunch with clients’ turnover up to £10m. Specialising in 2-5 director Ltd companies and emphasis on efficient profit extraction from companies Sean has taken the role of managing director in 2017 and has moved the business into the digital age offering various cloud based services and products.

Nearly 35 years on from when it started and we still hold the same philosophies and beliefs that have served our clients so well in the past. We are a forward thinking, proactive firm of accountants whose aim is to provide you with all the accounting tools and advice to help build and maintain a profitable business. We offer a convenient, intimate solution to all your accountancy and taxation requirements.

We pride ourselves on our personable service and are always here to offer advice over the phone or in person if you wish on all areas finance related. This philosophy will never change and has served us well.

Sean
Director
I have been in the accounting profession for the past 10 years. After graduating university I completed my Accountancy training at firms such as Hartley Fowler and Crunch. I have been running A C tax services for the past few years and am incredibly lucky to have a great team behind me.
I love what I do and am a huge believer that this is a relationship business. I have been fortunate enough to build long-lasting relationships with clients and I pride myself in offering an outstanding personal service that has helped our client's businesses prosper and grow.
Outside of the office, I am a huge Liverpool fan. I love playing golf and am a keen tennis player. Most of all I love spending time with my family, I have a 3-year-old son who gives me so much joy & happiness.
Shelley
Office Manager
I'm the Office Manager and I’m also the newest member of the team, joining back in 2016. After a long career in Estate agency, I decided to embark on a new adventure and pursue a career in accountancy.

Since joining I have completed my AAT Level 2 certificate for Accounting Technicians.

Outside of work I’m married with two children and two dogs and enjoy spending time in the countryside. I also have a love for football and I'm a huge Manchester United fan.
Celia
Senior Accounts Assistant
I started working in accountancy back in 1979 in the West Country. I moved to Brighton in 1986 and after a short spell Credit Controlling for American Express Travel, I went to the University of Sussex. After completing my BA (Hons) in Intellectual History I went on to do an MA in History and then a D.Phil in Irish History. I joined AC Tax services in 2003 and work part time preparing accounts and completing VAT Returns. Outside of work, I’m a keen gardener and I grow a lot of my own veg on my allotment. I have 3 dogs and enjoy long country walks.
Sarah
Payroll Manager
I’m the Payroll Manager here and I calculate pay and report this to HMRC on a monthly basis. In addition, I liaise with our clients who run a CIS scheme, which requires monthly reporting to HMRC too. It’s a busy and varied role – some clients have straightforward payroll requirements, but some of our clients have a number of employees and are required by law to provide workplace pensions, and so this is part of my role too. To let our clients know what their duties are and set the necessary procedures in place.

I came to this role in October 2015, from a teaching background, having taught Business at a local Sixth Form College for 15 years (in fact I was one of Sean’s A Level Teachers!).
I still teach part-time and work at A C Tax Services 3 days per week.

I’ve lived in Brighton for over 20 years now, and have two teenage children. I try to cycle to work as much as possible (when it’s not raining) and I love to run. I’m a big fan of Parkrun and most Saturday mornings at 9 am you’ll find me with the other 500 park runners in Preston Park.

I really admire people who run their own businesses and understand the pressure and demands that come with it. I enjoy working with our clients and pride myself in always providing a friendly, professional and efficient service.