Strong foundations. Clearer decisions.
Accountants for
early-stage companies.
Get the accounting foundations right. Keep a clearer view of cash. Build from there.
Accounting and financial support for UK startups and early-stage limited companies. From the first records and filing calendar to management accounts and cash flow, we help you put a workable finance routine around the business you are building.
Sector agnostic, with an understanding of technology, AI and data-driven business models. You can be bootstrapped, pre-revenue or preparing for investment.
Verify ICAEW credentials ↗
The support behind the business
Less uncertainty.
A more useful set of numbers.
Founders need records they can trust, a clear view of what is due and financial information that helps them act. We agree the right level of accounting support for your stage, rather than treating every new company as the same engagement.
Accounting foundations
A chart of accounts that reflects your business, a practical bookkeeping routine and clarity over who owns each task.
- Software and records setup; bank and transaction workflow; opening balances and director funding.
Accounts and tax support
Prepare for the relevant company accounts and tax work with records that can be reconciled and explained.
- Annual accounts and Corporation Tax scope; filing calendar; information and review responsibilities.
VAT and payroll support
Understand when a new obligation arises and what information is needed to meet it.
- VAT position review; registration and return support where agreed; payroll responsibilities and timetable.
Management information
Move beyond the bank balance with reporting that explains trading, costs and the movement in cash.
- Agreed reporting pack; reconciliations and key movements; practical discussion of the numbers.
Cash flow and runway
Know which commitments use cash and how far your plan can go under different assumptions.
- Cash forecast; burn and runway where relevant; scenarios for hiring, pricing and collections.
Ready for the next stage
Keep the finance foundations connected to growth, investment and the decisions ahead.
- Financial modelling, fundraising readiness or fractional CFO support can be added through a separate scope.
Know what you are getting
Clear outputs.
Clear responsibilities.
At the start, we document the work, the records you need to supply, the review process and the fee. We also agree what sits with your team and what sits with Consult EFC.
Already have a bookkeeper or finance team? We can define an accounting, reporting or advisory role alongside them, with a clear division of responsibilities.
- Your accounting setupA review of the current records, balances, software and practical gaps that need attention.
- Your compliance calendarThe relevant accounts, tax and other agreed deadlines, with information requirements and named responsibilities.
- Your reporting routineThe frequency, format and content of management information, including cash visibility where included.
- Your agreed next stepsA written scope, fee and timetable. Additional filings, catch-up work or specialist advice are identified separately.
A practical starting point
Different obligations.
Different deadlines.
Company accounts, tax payment and tax returns follow separate rules. We help you map the obligations that apply to your business and keep the underlying records organised.
| What to plan for | The usual position for a UK private limited company |
|---|---|
| Annual accounts | Companies House annual accounts are usually due nine months after the financial year ends. First accounts have different timing. Companies House and HMRC deadlines ↗ |
| Corporation Tax | The usual payment deadline is nine months and one day after the Corporation Tax accounting period ends. The Company Tax Return is generally due after twelve months. Company Tax Return guidance ↗ |
| VAT | For a UK-established business, registration can be required when taxable turnover exceeds £90,000 over the last twelve months, or is expected to exceed £90,000 in the next thirty days alone. Other registration rules can also apply. HMRC VAT registration rules ↗ |
| Employing people | Where employer PAYE registration is required, register before the first payday. Agree the payroll process and responsibilities before the first payment. HMRC employer registration guidance ↗ |
The relevant dates depend on your circumstances, including your first accounting period, company activity and any special rules. Being pre-revenue is not the same as being dormant. HMRC explains the different meanings of dormant ↗
How we start
A practical first conversation.
A defined next step.
Tell us what is happening.
We discuss the business model, records, current advisers, cash position and the deadlines or decisions coming up.
Set the scope together.
We confirm deliverables, responsibilities, access requirements, fee and timetable before the work begins.
Make the numbers useful.
Work through the agreed priorities, organise the inputs and establish the reporting or review cycle your business needs.
Your questions, answered
Before you choose
your startup accountant.
Do you work with pre-revenue and newly incorporated companies?
Yes. We work with founders before first revenue as well as businesses that are already trading. We start with your company structure, activity, records, cash position and upcoming obligations, then agree the work you need. Pre-revenue does not automatically mean dormant for tax or Companies House purposes.
What is included in early-stage company accounting?
The agreed scope can include bookkeeping setup or oversight, reconciliations, annual accounts and Corporation Tax support, VAT and payroll support, management accounts and cash flow forecasting. We confirm which filings, registrations, reporting periods and responsibilities are included before work begins.
How much does an accountant for a startup cost?
The fee depends on transaction volumes, the condition of existing records, payroll and VAT requirements, reporting frequency and the advice you need. We discuss those factors and provide a written scope and fee. Additional fundraising, valuation or fractional CFO work is agreed separately.
Can you take over from our existing accountant?
Yes. We agree the handover, obtain the necessary professional clearance and arrange access to relevant records and filing information. We review the opening position and upcoming deadlines before confirming responsibilities, so the transition has a clear plan.
Do we need to be raising investment to work with you?
No. We support bootstrapped businesses as well as companies preparing for investment. The service is sector agnostic, including technology, AI and data businesses, professional services, commerce and other early-stage UK companies.
Can we add financial modelling or fractional CFO support later?
Yes. As the business grows, we can agree additional support for financial models, cash runway, management reporting, investor readiness or fractional CFO work. The accounting engagement and any additional advisory work have a clear scope and fee.
What do you need to get started?
We usually start with your company details, business model, current accounting arrangements, available records and important dates. If you already trade, we discuss transaction volumes, payroll, VAT, funding and reporting needs. Access to detailed records is arranged through an agreed process after the initial conversation.
Build on the foundations
Support for
what comes next.
Want to understand the basics first? Read our accounting for startups guide. Government guidance checked on 24 October 2026.
Build with better financial foundations
Start with your business.
We will help define the support.
Tell us your stage, current accounting arrangements and what you need to get under control.