Naeem
Desai

WHO I HELP

Start-ups. SMEs.

HOW I HELP

R&D tax legislation. Tax guidance. Financial report preparation. Tax compliance.

“It’s about real outcomes for businesses and the people behind them.”

Based in our London office, Naeem Desai is a Corporate Tax Assistant Manager who supports the Research and Development (R&D) tax team with preparing technical and financial reports for clients across a wide range of sectors. With a background in physics and experience in tax and accounting, he brings a unique skill set to the role, bridging the gap between high technical innovations and HMRC’s legislative requirements. Naeem’s early fascination with science and technological progress sparked a lasting interest that led him into R&D tax, a space that keeps him connected to those fields while delivering something practical and valuable for clients.

BUILDING STRONG FOUNDATIONS

“I believe building strong relationships starts with communication. Every client I work with knows they can rely on me to be honest, consistent and clear, especially when we’re dealing with complex areas like R&D tax legislation. A client once came to us who had a particularly complicated R&D claim involving grant-funded projects, overseas expenditure and consumables. By staying in close contact and being transparent about timelines and deliverables, we completed the claim in under a month. That efficiency laid the groundwork for a great ongoing relationship and continuously allows them to focus on growing their business while I handle the complex documentation and tax compliance side.”

PLAYING TO MY STRENGTHS

“One of the strengths is my broad perspective. My background beyond tax and accounting gives me a different way of thinking when it comes to crafting technical arguments. I approach problems methodically, stay organised, and focus on clear communication. What I find most rewarding is knowing I’ve helped make something complex feel manageable, allowing clients to stay focused on what they do best, whether that’s pushing forward with innovation or running their business with confidence.”

SOLVING CHALLENGES THAT MATTER

“One key lesson I’ve learned is the importance of understanding and explaining the full picture, especially when the smallest detail can have massive implications on a client’s relief or eligibility. Matching costs to HMRC’s strict definitions isn’t always straightforward, especially when contracts or records weren’t created with tax relief in mind. One example involved reviewing around a hundred employees’ timesheets and working closely with the client to develop a statistical method HMRC would accept. It took time, teamwork, and a holistic view of the facts and wording, but we delivered a solution that was practical and set a standard for future claims. These are the kinds of challenges I genuinely enjoy solving – technical, detailed, and ultimately rewarding for the client.”

A TEAM THAT GROWS TOGETHER

“What I value most about being part of AAB is the collective mindset. Everyone’s dedicated to growth, and there’s a real sense of shared learning, which means we can keep raising our standards and deliver more to clients.”

THE POWER OF PERSPECTIVE

“A common misconception about tax is that it’s just numbers. In reality, most of my time is spent developing defensible arguments and ensuring mutual understanding between clients and HMRC. That requires analytical thinking, storytelling and empathy. No matter the task, I can work quickly and with confidence, giving my clients the clarity and certainty they need.”

TURNING TECHNICAL INTO PRACTICAL

“I’m excited to keep building my technical tax knowledge, not just to strengthen the arguments I present, but to explain complex points in a way that makes sense to clients. It’s not just about knowing the legislation; it’s about making it relevant, accessible, and useful to the people behind the businesses we support. That’s where I see real value, and it’s a skill I’m always looking to refine.”

LOOKING AHEAD

“The most satisfying part of my work is helping clients move forward. Whether they’re launching a new software product or developing a new scientific process, I love being part of that journey, even if it’s behind the scenes. My job is to make sure they get the relief they deserve, in the clearest, most stress-free way possible.”