Sectors / Sports Professionals
We keep your accounts in shape
while you go for glory
Philip Barnes & Co Chartered Accountants acts as accountants for a number of top-flight sports professionals — handling the financial complexity that comes with high performance careers, so you can focus on yours.
Specialist accountancy for athletes
The financial game is different at the top
A professional sporting career brings income streams that most accountants rarely encounter: overseas prize money, sponsorship deals, image rights contracts, and the scrutiny of professional governing bodies. Generic advice doesn't cut it.
John Clark leads our sports professionals practice at Philip Barnes & Co Chartered Accountants. He advises on tax minimising strategies tailored to the irregular, multi-source income patterns common in professional sport — from tour winnings to endorsement fees.
Our services for sports professionals include:
- Tax minimising strategies — structured to reflect the realities of a sporting career's earning arc
- Overseas income — accounting for prize money, appearance fees, and contracts earned abroad
- Sponsorship and image rights contracts — ensuring these are structured and reported correctly
- Full end-to-end business and personal tax service — one point of contact for everything
- Professional body support — including liaison with the PGA for touring golf professionals
We have two offices in Staffordshire: The Old Council Chambers, Halford Street, Tamworth, Staffordshire, B79 7RB (tel: 01827 60033) and 40 Carter Street, Uttoxeter, Staffordshire, ST14 8EU (tel: 01889 563550).
What our sporting clients say
Named clients. Real results.
"My business affairs have been restructured to help maximise my income levels. John Clark and his team have advised on, and managed all areas of this transition. John could do with some work on his squash game, but his accountancy skills are pretty good! I would highly recommend Philip Barnes & Co."
Nick Matthew — 3 Time World Champion Squash Player
"Philip Barnes & Co have looked after my accounts and tax affairs for more than 7 years, and during that period, I have saved a significant amount of tax, thanks to the restructuring and tax planning advice I have received. I find John Clark's approach very refreshing, and easy to understand, and would highly recommend him, and his business to other sports professionals. Although, John could still do with quite a few more golf lessons!!"
Rob Rock — Golfing Tour Professional, client for over 7 years
How we work with sports professionals
From first conversation to long-term partnership
Initial consultation
We start by understanding your career stage, income sources, and any immediate tax or structuring concerns — in plain language, with no jargon.
Review your current position
John Clark reviews your existing arrangements — contracts, overseas income, any image rights structures — and identifies where restructuring could improve your position.
Restructure and plan
We implement tax minimising strategies and put the right structures in place for sponsorship, image rights, and overseas earnings — with full support for professional body requirements including the PGA.
Ongoing partnership
We handle your full personal and business tax affairs year-round, so you have one trusted point of contact as your career and income evolve.
Ready to talk to John Clark?
Whether you're a touring professional, a team-sport athlete, or a coach with complex income arrangements, get in touch with Philip Barnes & Co Chartered Accountants. Call our Tamworth office on 01827 60033 or our Uttoxeter office on 01889 563550, or contact us online.