Monthly CIS returns
Verifying subcontractors, filing by the 19th and issuing deduction statements every month. A late return costs at least £100, and penalties grow the longer it's left.
Bookkeeping for UK construction companies
Accurate books, on-time HMRC filings and clear numbers on every job.
We handle your bookkeeping, Construction Industry Scheme (CIS) returns, VAT and payroll every month, overseen by a chartered accountant. You get a fixed monthly fee, no missed deadlines, and a clear view of what your business is really making.
- Fixed monthly fee
- Chartered accountant oversight
- No-penalty guarantee
The problem
Running a construction company is hard enough without the paperwork
Construction has some of the most demanding finance admin of any industry. Most generalist accountants only look at it once a year.
Reverse charge VAT
The domestic reverse charge changes who accounts for VAT on construction work. Getting it wrong means overpaying, underpaying, or questions from HMRC.
No view of job profit
Turnover looks healthy, but you can't see which jobs are actually making money and which are quietly losing it.
A once-a-year accountant
You hear from your accountant at year end, so every decision in between is made on last year's figures.
What's included
Your complete finance back office, for one fixed monthly fee
Bookkeeping
Bank feeds, sales invoices, supplier bills and receipts recorded and reconciled every week in Xero or QuickBooks.
CIS returns
Subcontractors verified, monthly returns filed before the 19th, deduction statements issued, and CIS suffered reclaimed.
VAT returns
Quarterly VAT filed through Making Tax Digital, with the domestic reverse charge applied correctly on every invoice.
Payroll
Payslips, real-time submissions to HMRC and workplace pension contributions for your employed staff.
Monthly management report
Profit by job, cash position, VAT and tax set aside, and what you can safely draw. One page, in plain English.
A dedicated team
A named bookkeeper for the day-to-day, with a chartered accountant reviewing your accounts. Same-day replies by phone, email or WhatsApp.
Why it matters
Make decisions on this month's numbers, not last year's
Every month you receive a short report showing exactly where the business stands. You'll know which jobs to price differently, when cash will be tight, and how much you can take out without a surprise tax bill.
- Profit by job. See which types of work earn the best margin.
- Cash flow forecast. Plan around stage payments, retentions and supplier terms.
- Tax set-aside. VAT and corporation tax provided for every month.
- Drawings guidance. What you can safely pay yourself.
Compare
How we compare
| Typical generalist accountant | Part-time in-house bookkeeper | The Construction Bookkeeper | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Books kept up to date every month | Usually not | Yes | Yes |
| CIS returns and subcontractor verification | Sometimes, extra cost | Depends on experience | Included |
| Construction VAT and reverse charge expertise | Varies | Varies | Specialist |
| Monthly profit-by-job report | No | Rarely | Included |
| Chartered accountant oversight | Yes | No | Yes |
| Cover for holidays and sickness | Yes | No | Yes |
| Penalty guarantee | No | No | Yes |
| Typical annual cost | £1,500 to £3,000 (year end only) | £15,000 to £25,000 | £3,600 to £6,000 |
How it works
Up and running in four steps
- 1
Free finance review
A 20-minute call with a chartered accountant to review your current setup and flag any CIS or VAT risks.
- 2
Fixed-fee proposal
A clear monthly price based on your subcontractors, staff and transaction volume. No hourly billing.
- 3
We handle the switch
We contact your current accountant, connect your bank feeds and bring your books fully up to date.
- 4
Every month, done
CIS filed, books reconciled, VAT on time, and your management report in your inbox.
Pricing
One fixed monthly fee
from £300/month
Most construction companies pay between £300 and £500 a month, depending on the number of subcontractors, employees and transactions. Your price is agreed in writing before you start.
- Bookkeeping and bank reconciliation
- Monthly CIS returns and verifications
- Quarterly VAT returns
- Payroll for employed staff
- Monthly management report
- Named bookkeeper and chartered accountant
Our no-penalty guarantee
If we miss a CIS, VAT or payroll deadline that we are responsible for, we will pay the HMRC penalty in full and your next month is free.
Switching is simple
Already have an accountant? We handle the handover for you, including the professional clearance letter. If you'd like to keep your current accountant for year-end accounts, we'll supply them with clean, reconciled books.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Who do you work with?
Construction companies across the UK: builders, general contractors, groundworks and civils firms, roofing contractors, and mechanical and electrical contractors. Our service is designed for businesses turning over roughly £250,000 to £2 million that use subcontractors.
Who will be looking after my accounts?
A named bookkeeper handles your day-to-day bookkeeping, CIS and VAT, and a chartered accountant reviews your accounts and is available for technical questions. You will know both by name.
What software do I need?
We work in Xero or QuickBooks. If you currently use spreadsheets or other software, we will move you across as part of onboarding.
My books are behind. Can you still help?
Yes. Catching up is part of onboarding. On your free review we will tell you how long it will take and confirm the cost in advance.
Can you help us obtain gross payment status?
Yes. Once your records and compliance history meet HMRC's requirements, we can prepare and submit your application so contractors pay you without the 20% CIS deduction.
Is there a minimum contract?
We agree terms with you on the call, including a discount for paying annually in advance. There are no hidden fees.
What happens on the free finance review?
A 20-minute video or phone call with a chartered accountant. We look at how your books, CIS and VAT are currently handled, highlight any risks or missed savings, and explain how we would work with you. There is no obligation.
Free, no obligation
Book your free finance review
In 20 minutes, a chartered accountant will review how your books, CIS and VAT are handled today, flag any risks, and show you where you could save time and money.
- CIS and VAT compliance check
- Where your profit is leaking
- A fixed-fee quote, if we're a good fit