Why Tax Isn't Just for Accountants | Chris Ellen, Crowe UK

David Bell sits down with Chris Ellen, Private Client Tax Advisor at Crowe UK — a top 10 global accounting network with a major London office near St Paul's. Chris shares a refreshingly honest take on building a tax career, why your degree subject matters far less than you might think, and the smart way to approach networking when you're early in your career. Chris joined Crowe straight from university during the pandemic, having graduated with an accounting degree, and has spent five and a half years building a broad private client practice spanning owner-managed businesses, family wealth, and non-domiciled individuals — plus a growing specialism in stamp duty. In this interview, Chris covers: What private client tax advisory actually involves day to day Why he'd have been "pretty miserable" as an auditor The breadth of tax work at Crowe — from income tax to stamp duty His honest take on career progression: work-life balance over partnership Why any degree subject can be a springboard into tax The value of a placement year and early exposure to a professional office environment How he thinks about networking — relationships first, referrals later Why being in the office every day has been key to his development Chris Ellen is a Private Client Tax Advisor in the London office of Crowe UK LLP, working with owner-managed businesses, family wealth clients, and internationally mobile individuals. 🔗 Connect with Chris: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-ellen-83668114b/ 🔗 Learn more about Crowe UK: https://www.crowe.com/uk 🔗 Learn more about PCD Group: https://www.pcdgroup.co.uk