Business Details
32 Years
experience
Trusted Chartered Accountants in London
Established in 1994, Dales Evans is a chartered accounting firm specialising in the music and entertainment industry. Our expertise spans business management, worldwide taxation, corporate and personal accounting, royalties, and tour financial management. With over three decades of industry experience, we provide tailored financial solutions for artists, managers, producers, record labels, and other entertainment professionals. Our team combines deep sector knowledge with a commitment to personal service, ensuring clients receive strategic advice aligned with their unique needs. Located on Baker Street in London, we offer accessible expertise to clients ranging from international stadium performers to local venue artists.Our regulatory oversight by the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales underscores our professional standards. We maintain a dedicated team of over 30 accountants and support staff with specialist music industry experience. Our services adapt to business growth, from foundational bookkeeping to complex international tour management. Client relationships are built on transparency, compliance, and a thorough understanding of entertainment sector financial challenges. This combination of specialist focus and comprehensive service delivery has maintained our reputation as industry leaders since our founding.
Services
Business Management
Corporate Accounting
Personal Taxation
Tour Financial Management
Royalty Collection
VAT Compliance
Company Formation
Management Accounts
Details
- Year established: 1994
Highlights and features
- 40+ years combined experience in music and entertainment accountancy
- Tailored services for artists, managers, and international record labels
- Specialist knowledge of tour financial management complexities
- Regulated by the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales
- Dedicated team with sector-specific expertise across 30+ professionals
Associations and certifications
- Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales
Services
Business Management
Our business management service handles day-to-day financial operations while providing strategic guidance. We manage bookkeeping, cash flow forecasting, royalty collection, and insurance compliance for entertainment industry clients. This comprehensive support allows artists and managers to focus on creative pursuits while maintaining financial control.
Tour Financial Management
Specialist management of complex tour finances across multiple jurisdictions. We handle international payments, VAT reclaims, social security exemptions, and FEU clearances for tours ranging from local venues to global stadium events. Our expertise ensures compliance with diverse tax regulations while optimising financial efficiency.
Corporate Taxation
Tailored corporate tax planning and compliance services for entertainment businesses. We optimise tax structures while ensuring adherence to HMRC regulations. Our specialists handle corporation tax returns, international tax considerations, and negotiations with tax authorities on behalf of music industry clients.
Personal Taxation
Comprehensive personal tax management for high-net-worth individuals in entertainment. Services include income tax, capital gains tax, and inheritance tax planning while maintaining compliance with UK and international regulations. We specialise in non-domicile status considerations for global artists.
Royalty Collection
Specialist royalty administration services ensuring accurate collection and distribution. We manage complex royalty streams from multiple territories and rights holders. Our systems provide transparent reporting while resolving payment discrepancies and contractual compliance issues for music creators.
People
Lester Dales
Director
Qualified accountant with 40+ years experience in entertainment accountancy. Co-founder of Dales Evans in 1994, specialising in music industry financial management. Leads strategic direction while maintaining hands-on client relationships.
Paul Makin
Director
FCA qualified accountant with 25+ years at Dales Evans. Specialises in corporate structuring for entertainment businesses. Oversees audit processes and regulatory compliance for major industry clients since joining in 1998.
Adam Clarke
Head of Taxation
FCCA qualified tax specialist with 20+ years experience. Manages complex international tax cases for artists and record labels. Develops tax-efficient structures while ensuring compliance with evolving HMRC regulations since becoming Head of Taxation in 2014.
Lois Gwilliam
Senior Manager
FCA qualified manager specialising in artist financial management. Oversees client portfolios including emerging talent and established performers. Provides strategic business advice while maintaining compliance with industry-specific accounting standards since 2002.
Susan Sheen
Practice Manager
FCCA qualified manager with 30+ years in music industry accountancy. Coordinates administrative operations and compliance processes. Provides executive support to directors while managing HR functions since becoming Practice Manager in 2018.
Questions
What accounting services do you offer for music industry professionals?
We provide business management, corporate/personal taxation, royalty collection, tour financial management, and VAT compliance services tailored specifically for music and entertainment industry clients.
How do you handle international tour accounting requirements?
Our specialists manage multi-jurisdictional financial aspects including EU VAT reclaims, US Social Security exemptions, and FEU clearances while ensuring compliance with diverse international tax regulations.
What experience do you have with artist financial management?
Since 1994 we've worked with artists performing in venues ranging from local pubs to international stadiums, providing tailored financial solutions that address the unique challenges of creative professionals.
How can you help with music industry tax planning?
Our tax specialists optimise structures to minimise liabilities while ensuring compliance. We handle corporation tax, personal tax, inheritance tax, and international tax considerations specific to entertainment professionals.
What sets you apart from general accounting firms?
Our team has 30+ years' combined experience in music industry accountancy, with specialists in tour management, royalty administration, and entertainment tax law that provide sector-specific expertise.
Where is your office located?
Our central London office at 88/90 Baker Street provides easy access to clients, with virtual services available for international clients requiring specialist UK accounting support.
