Meet the Team
Meet the team working together with integrity and loyalty
Michael Filiou
Managing Director
“What drives me is a desire to be of service to my clients and the people I meet. I started this practice to support small and medium sized businesses and family-run firms – my team and I genuinely love helping independent business owners have a smooth journey through their work and life. We work with clients in many different industries and sectors. All are very different, but one thing that links them all is that they share the values I’ve worked hard to develop in my own business; integrity, trust, respect and a commitment to long-term, mutually beneficial relationships. Our clients often look to us as a sounding board when making important business decisions – and, sometimes, life ones too!
I’ve built this practice by providing a relationship-based service. This starts by getting to know you, understanding your objectives, where you are today and where you want to be in 3-5 years time. For example, that might mean ensuring the business can be passed down to the next generation, or gearing the business for a sale.
Our primary focus is always identifying opportunities that give our clients a meaningful business advantage.
I am supported by a fantastic team, built on shared values of integrity, trust and mutual respect. My staff are like my second family. I employ people who are totally loyal and will go the extra mile for me and for our clients – as I will do for them.
Together, we’ll create a plan to help you get to where you want to be and support you all the way through it. During that journey my team will do all the necessary compliance work for you and be a source of more specialist advice too. It might not always be smooth sailing, but we’ll be by your side working proactively to give you peace of mind during the ups and the downs of business and life.”
About Michael
Michael is a forward thinking, strategic accountant with business focus, international tax expertise, and a real love for his clients. He started his career in 1987 working for a Big Four accounting firm, before becoming a partner of a smaller practice.
He set up Michael Filiou Ltd Chartered Certified Accountants in 2008 to help like-minded independent business owners have a smoother journey through life. Michael has a passion for his practice, his clients, his team and the profession, and is very proud of the firm he has built and that carries his name. He is a qualified Chartered Certified Accountant with significant expertise in advising on UK tax planning and compliance.
Ali Basol
Senior Client Manager
Ali is a certified Chartered Accountant and has a degree in accounting and finance.
Ali manages a portfolio of clients and works closely with Michael.
“Service and quality is what keeps our clients with us long-term. And trust, honesty and integrity underpin all that we do. It’s a great place to work, you’re gaining new perspectives and learning new things every day.”
Elena Filiou
Tax Assistant
Elena has a Law degree/LLB and assists with the preparation of personal tax returns and accounts. She is currently studying for her ACCA qualification.
“I really enjoy working with a variety of clients. As a team, we work in a dynamic environment setting goals and delivering results for clients.”
Martha Kitibos
Senior Client Manager
Martha helps people with their tax planning and likes to add value to our clients. She focuses on personal, corporation, inheritance and capital gains taxes. She is a fellow of the ICAEW and has a degree in economics and maths.
“It’s like an extended family here. Everyone is friendly, keen to help each other and our clients. I’m proud that so many of our clients recommend their friends, family and colleagues to us. It shows that we must be providing a great service.”
Leon Loizou
Senior Client Manager
Leon is a certified Chartered Accountant with a wealth of experience managing clients’ tax and accounting affairs. He works with clients across many sectors to meet their routine compliance needs and provides invaluable business advice where needed.
“Working at Michael Filiou enables me to use my skills and experience to help develop our client’s businesses, which I find hugely rewarding. It’s also great to be part of such a progressive team who like to make a difference in their clients’ lives and businesses.”
Jawad Meshky
Senior Client Manager
Jawad looks after a portfolio of clients, dealing with their accounting needs, preparing corporate and partnership accounts, VAT and personal tax returns, and also provides business advice. He keeps up-to-date with accounting software including Sage, Xero and Quickbooks. Jawad is a Fellow of the ACCA and has an MA in International Relations.
“Here at Michael Filiou we go the extra mile to support our clients. I enjoy working for a practice that is so organised, advanced and future-focused in its approach and systems. Michael is totally dedicated to the profession and his passion and energy transfers to the whole team. Building great relationships is our aim.”
Delyana Ustabashieva
Senior Client Manager
Delyana is involved with company accounts preparation and deals directly with clients. She enjoys learning new software and uses Sage, Xero, QuickBooks, IRIS and Receipt Bank. She is a qualified ACCA and also has an MA in Finance and Banking and a further MA in Literature.
“I get satisfaction from our clients’ satisfaction. I’m proud that our clients are happy with our service, that they stay with us for many years and trust us enough to recommend us to their friends. That’s why I love what I do.”
Gerard Pereira
Senior Client Manager
Gerard carries out accounts preparation and tax related work for our clients.
Furthermore, he manages most of the ad hoc work for our international business clients. Gerard holds an MBA in Business Finance and is a Fellow of the ACCA.
“I’ve worked for Michael Filiou since 2005. The reason I’ve stayed so long is because our work here is of a different standard to other accounting firms. I’m proud that our service and advice is always of the highest quality. That’s why so many of our clients have remained with us for many years and recommend us to others too.”
Atul Garg
Senior Client Manager
Atul is a Senior Client Manager at Michael Filiou Ltd, where he plays a pivotal role in managing the accounting and tax needs of clients with more complex requirements. With his ACCA qualification and ten years’ experience, Atul brings a wealth of expertise and knowledge to the team.
Atul’s approach to client service is characterised by a deep commitment to making a tangible difference in the financial health of the businesses and individuals he works with. He believes in going beyond the numbers to understand the unique challenges and goals of each client, enabling him to provide tailored advice and solutions that truly benefit them. This client-centric approach, combined with his technical acumen, makes Atul an invaluable asset to both the firm and its clients.
“Working within the supportive and collaborative environment of Michael Filiou Ltd, I find myself among a team of like-minded professionals who share my passion for excellence in accounting and tax services. The firm’s culture of going the extra mile for clients resonates deeply with me”.
Noor Islam
Senior Client Manager
Noor provides exceptional client service and care at Michael Filiou. As Senior Client Manager, he ensures clients not only meet their accounting and tax compliance needs but also discover innovative ways to reduce their tax bills—whether for personal or business purposes.
With over 12 years of experience in UK accounting and tax, including two years specialising in business and corporate tax at Ernst & Young, Noor brings unparalleled expertise and insight to his role. He is currently enhancing his formidable skills by pursuing the ACCA qualification.
“My mantra is ‘quality over quantity.’ My mission is to empower clients with the vital information they need to make informed decisions for their business or personal tax planning. Being an accountant is far more than just a ‘tick-box’ exercise; it’s about delivering efficient, accurate services, deeply understanding clients’ goals, and proactively identifying ways to achieve them.”
Noor’s commitment to excellence and his proactive approach make him an invaluable asset to every client he serves.
Tricia Petrou
Senior Bookkeeper and Payroll Manager
Tricia is our Payroll Manager and she ensures that we consistently deliver to the highest standards, whilst offering a bespoke service perfectly tailored to the needs of each individual client.
She is a member of ICB and CIPP.
“Michael is a great person to work for. There’s a pleasant atmosphere amongst the team – we all help each other out – and it helps that our clients are lovely, friendly people too. Our aim is to deliver a really responsive service, answering their queries as quickly as we can.”
Sophia Ozsoy
Secretary and Office Manager
Sophia has a very varied role including general secretarial duties such as dictation, answering the phones and resolving client queries. She is currently helping the practice to go paperless and does all she can to keep the team happy.
“I’m proud to work for Michael Filiou. Everyone gets on, helps each other out and Michael is a really good boss. Our clients are great people, and we try to help them as much and as quickly as we can. This is like my second family!”
Freddie Fong
Senior Accountant
Freddie provides a range of accounting, tax preparation and VAT services to our clients. He graduated in Business Studies and Accounting and trained as a Chartered Accountant. He is a member of the Institute of Financial Accountants.
“Do it well, or don’t do it all – that’s the motto that drives my work, plus with a sense of duty of care for our clients.”
INTERESTED IN WORKING WITH US?
If you want to be part of a truly team-orientated accounting firm, and the big-firm life isn’t for you, there could be a place for you at Michael Filiou
Robin Sykes
Robin provides practical tax planning advice and aims to add value and solve problems around
business acquisitions and disposals, restructurings and matters involving international tax, property
and inheritance tax.
He is a qualified Chartered Accountant and Chartered Tax Adviser. He also holds the Advanced
Diploma in International Taxation and is a STEP Trusts and Estates Practitioner.
“Tax planning plays an important role in protecting and making the most of what you have. Michael and
the team are very proactive for their clients in this area. It’s a pleasure to work with them and add value through the provision of specialist advice.
Robin has been working with Michael for over 9 years.
Colin Woodward
Colin is a Chartered Tax Advisor and specialises in VAT, Customs Duties and general taxation, working with various firms of accountants, small and large, solicitors, and direct with businesses based in the UK and overseas. As well as consultancy work, he is regularly involved in appeals, including taking cases through the Tribunal process, and VAT/Tax investigation work.
Colin is a contributor to the International VAT Monitor, which is circulated worldwide, and other publications of the International Bureau of Fiscal Documentation, in Amsterdam; he is also the UK Linguistic Editor.
Colin has been working with Michael Filiou for over 9 years.
