Tax lawyer or accountant? Which one to choose ?
Tax Lawyer or Accountant? Which Professional Should You Choose for Tax Advice?
Should you choose a tax professional or an accountant to get the best tax advice?
What is the difference between a tax professional and a tax lawyer?
When it comes to tax advice, reference is often made to the tax specialist or tax lawyer. So, what is the difference between a tax specialist and a tax lawyer?
A tax specialist is a professional who practices taxation without necessarily being a lawyer. They generally hold a degree in taxation that allows them to work as an employee within a company or government agency. Depending on their level of education and experience, they may hold positions of varying responsibility. However, they are not authorized to practice tax advisory services for anyone other than their employer. Also, as an employee, they do not benefit from the independence associated with the legal profession.
A tax lawyer is a professional in tax law. This is a tax law specialist who must hold a degree in law (at least a Master 1 or equivalent) as well as additional training to obtain the Certificate of Aptitude for the Legal Profession. A tax lawyer practices independently and according to the ethical principles governing the legal profession. To practice as a tax lawyer, they must also be registered with the Bar Association.
What is the difference between an accountant and a chartered accountant?
In the field of accounting, reference is often made to the accountant or the chartered accountant. So, what is the difference between an accountant and a chartered accountant?
The accountant is a professional who practices accounting without necessarily being a chartered accountant. Their level of education can vary significantly (from Bachelor’s degree +2 to Master’s degree +5) depending on the position held. Accountants can work within a company or government agency. In all cases, an accountant who is not a chartered accountant is an employee of the organization that employs them and can only handle the accounting of their employer.
The chartered accountant is an accountant holding the Diplôme Supérieur de Comptabilité et de Gestion (DSCG, Master’s degree +5) and the Diplôme d’Expertise Comptable (DEC) who practices as an independent professional. As such, the chartered accountant must be registered with the Order of Chartered Accountants.
Who should you choose, tax lawyer or accountant, for tax advice?
When it comes to tax advice, it is advisable to always seek the services of a tax lawyer. Indeed, due to their legal education, a tax lawyer has better knowledge of tax law and specializes more extensively in taxation.
Moreover, the tax lawyer is the only professional who can directly and exclusively engage in the activity of tax advice.
On the other hand, the main activity of an accountant is focused on accounting. Although accountants may occasionally address certain tax-related questions in connection with their main accounting duties, an accountant can provide tax advice only as an ancillary service when they are primarily responsible for keeping the accounts. Thus, accountantsgenerally work in partnership with tax lawyers on more complex tax matters.