Accountant vs Business Advisor.
A client calls.
“I’m thinking of buying a Porsche Taycan through the company — what do you think?”
The accountant answers the technical side:
“It’s electric, so you can write off 100% of the cost against corporation tax. That’s over £25,000 in tax relief. Sounds like a smart move!”
And just like that, the decision feels made.
But this is where a business advisor starts asking better questions.
Let’s dig in a little further.
Yes, you’ll save over £25,000 in corporation tax.
But you’re putting down a £15,000 deposit today, and then £1,200 per month. That tax saving is going to disappear very quickly in actual cash outflow.
Also, that corporation tax you’re “saving”? It’s not due for another 11 months. So while you’re handing money over to the dealership today, you won’t feel the tax benefit for nearly a year — if at all. That’s a major cashflow timing issue.
Let’s talk about the car itself.
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Is this a long-time dream of owning a Porsche?
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Is it the electric one you really want — or would you miss the sound and feel of a proper petrol engine?
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Do you genuinely need this level of spec for your day-to-day driving?
Looking at your past habits: you normally buy second-hand diesels personally, spend around £35,000, and your monthly costs are about £400 — not £1,200. Sure, no tax relief there, but you’re still far better off financially.
And depreciation? The Taycan is going to lose a lot of value. That’s money walking out the door — tax saving or not.
Here’s the key point:
There’s a huge difference between what looks good on paper and what makes sense in reality.
An accountant focuses on the numbers in front of them — “Here’s how much tax you’ll save.”
A business advisor helps you weigh up the full financial picture:
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Cashflow now vs. tax due later
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Emotional wants vs. financial priorities
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Long-term value vs. short-term savings
Conclusion:
I’ve had conversations like this more times than I can count. And I’ve seen more electric Porsches bought through companies than I ever expected — often by directors who would never have spent that much on a personal car.
And it all comes down to one thing:
There’s more to financial planning than just tax savings.
The accountant ticks the box.
The business advisor asks the questions that really matter.
