Stepping away from a long and successful career in Big Four and national accountancy firms is no small decision, yet that is exactly what Greg McNally did when he founded VITA.
Today, he leads one of the UK’s largest independent VAT and indirect tax advisory businesses, built on a simple but powerful principle: understanding clients first, then delivering real value. With more than two decades of experience, McNally has seen the profession evolve dramatically, and set out to challenge the status quo with a consultancy that prioritises relationships, authenticity, and commercially focused advice in an increasingly complex tax landscape.
McNally is Managing Partner and founder of VITA, a Glasgow-headquartered specialist firm of VAT and indirect tax advisors. With a combined 85+ years of experience across the team, VITA is now the largest independent VAT and indirect tax consultancy in Scotland and one of the largest in the UK.
Rather than focusing purely on compliance, VITA specialises in high-value advisory work, helping businesses navigate complex tax strategy, transactions, and commercial decision-making. The firm works closely with clients at the earliest possible stage of projects, ensuring tax is considered proactively rather than retrospectively.
That said, the team is equally adept at stepping in when challenges arise, whether that’s limited options late in a deal cycle or managing HMRC enquiries. Known for its pragmatic, commercially minded approach, VITA combines deep technical expertise with a problem-solving mindset to deliver clarity, confidence, and value.
What was the inspiration behind VITA?
I founded VITA in 2019 after a 20-year career with Big Four and a national accountancy firm, where I reached partner level.
Over that time, I saw the profession change significantly. Accountancy services have increasingly become commoditised, and in many cases, the depth of client relationships has diminished. Earlier in my career, accountants were often trusted advisers, people who genuinely understood their clients’ businesses and were part of their wider journey.
VITA was created in response to that shift. The goal was to build a firm that prioritises understanding—understanding our clients’ motivations, challenges, and ambitions—and then adding value through insight, not just process. That ethos still underpins everything we do today.
Who do you admire?
The clients I’ve worked with over the past 25 years.
Particularly those who’ve built something from nothin, who identified a gap in the market, challenged convention, and had the belief to bring their vision to life. I’ve always found their origin stories fascinating. There’s something incredibly powerful about that combination of resilience, creativity, and determination.
Looking back, is there anything you would have done differently?
No. Every mistake is a learning point, and I wouldn’t wish any of them away.
Life is a process of joining the dots, you can always look back and understand how you got to where you are. Looking forward is a different story. Plans rarely unfold exactly as expected, so the real skill lies in being agile, adapting quickly, and responding to what’s in front of you.
What defines your way of doing business?
Traditional values in a modern, fast-paced environment.
At its core, business is quite simple: listen to your clients, understand what they actually need, not what you want to sell them—and then deliver exactly what you promised, on time and on budget.
The challenge lies in scoping work properly and communicating clearly throughout the process. Don’t overpromise. Don’t overcommit. Be honest, be authentic, and do the right thing.
At VITA, we live by two mantras:
“Say what you do and do what you say” and “Do the right thing.”
What advice would you give to someone starting out?
You can’t learn experience—you have to live through it.
Early in my career, I focused heavily on learning—building knowledge, developing skills, and growing my network. That phase takes time, and there are no shortcuts. But the rewards come later.
Put the work in early, stay curious, and be patient. The return on that investment will follow.
Read more:
Getting To Know You: Greg McNally, managing partner, Vita