Who We Work With
Our business consultant accounting services are designed for:
- Independent business consultants working across multiple clients
- Management consultants operating through a limited company
- Strategy and operations consultants
- Business improvement and transformation consultants
- Interim managers and fractional executives
- Small consultancy practices with a growing team
Whether you are just starting out or running an established practice, we have the experience to support you at every stage.
The Accounting Challenges Business Consultants Face
Running a consultancy comes with financial complexity that many accountants simply are not set up to handle well.
Getting the right advice from the start can make a significant difference to how much of your income you actually keep.
Business structure
Sole trader or limited company. It is one of the most important financial decisions you will make as a consultant, and the right answer depends on your income level, how you want to pay yourself, and your long-term plans. We help you get this right from day one.
Tax-efficient profit extraction
If you operate through a limited company, how you pay yourself matters enormously. Getting the balance between salary and dividends right is one of the most effective ways to reduce your overall tax bill legally and efficiently.
Cash flow management
Consultancy income is often irregular. Gaps between projects, late-paying clients, and large unexpected tax bills can all create cash flow pressure even when the business is performing well. We help you plan ahead so there are no surprises.
Growing your practice
Bringing on your first employee, taking on a business partner, or restructuring as you scale. Each of these decisions has financial and tax implications that need careful consideration.
IR35
For business consultants operating through a limited company, IR35 is worth understanding even if it is not your primary concern. If your working arrangements with a client start to resemble employment, it could affect your tax position significantly. We provide clear guidance on where you stand.
Our Services for Business Consultants
We provide a full accounting service for business consultants and consultancy practices, including:
- Limited company setup and ongoing accounts
- Corporation tax returns
- Tax-efficient salary and dividend planning
- Self-assessment and personal tax returns
- Bookkeeping and payroll
- VAT registration and returns
- Business expense management
- Cash flow forecasting and planning
- Annual accounts submission to HMRC and Companies House
- Company secretarial duties
- Business advisory and growth planning
Everything is handled on a fixed monthly fee. You will always know exactly what you are paying with no unexpected bills.
Why Business Consultants Choose APH
We understand the consultancy model
We work with consultants day in and day out. We understand how consultancy businesses are structured, how income flows, and what the financial pressure points are at each stage of growth.
Paul’s background
Our MD Paul spent nine years as a Management Accountant at Bristol Myers Squibb and three years as Group Financial Controller at Enron, at the time the largest company in the world. He has since owned and managed multiple successful businesses. That depth of financial management experience informs everything we do at APH.
Plain English, always
No jargon, no overcomplicated explanations. You will always know exactly where you stand with your accounts and your tax position.
Fixed fees, no surprises
Clear, predictable monthly fees from day one. No hourly billing, no unexpected invoices.
Every team member is a Business Growth Advisor
We do not just file your returns. Every member of our team is trained to provide forward-looking business advice alongside your accounting. Your growth is at the heart of everything we do.
What Our Clients Say
Paul Foster
“We are scaling our business and needed to find a company who understood the challenges we were faced with. After speaking to five other companies, APH stood out as the business that had the most knowledge and experience.”
Enceladus Consulting Ltd
“Great service, really straight forward and easy to deal with. Paul and the team have been really supportive and are on hand to help whenever I need to speak to someone.”
Frequently Asked Questions
It depends on your profit level, how you want to extract income, and your long-term plans. For most consultants earning consistently above £30,000 to £35,000 in profit, a limited company structure is worth exploring seriously. We will assess your specific situation and give you a clear recommendation.
The most common approach is a combination of a low salary set at the personal allowance threshold and dividends from company profits. Dividends are taxed at a lower rate than income, which makes this combination significantly more tax-efficient than taking a full salary. Pension contributions made by the company are also worth considering as part of your overall extraction strategy.
Yes. Cash flow management is one of the biggest challenges for consultancy businesses, particularly those with irregular income or multiple clients. We provide forecasting and planning support as part of our service.
Yes. While we are based in Wallasey, Wirral, we work with business consultants and consultancy practices across the UK. Our service is fully accessible remotely with video calls, phone, and email support as standard.
We work on fixed monthly fees tailored to your business. Get in touch for a no-obligation quote. There is no commitment required.
Absolutely. Every member of our team is a Business Growth Advisor. As your consultancy grows we can support you with business restructuring, bringing on staff, partnership arrangements, and longer term financial planning. You can also find out more about our Finance Partner service which is designed specifically for ambitious growing businesses.
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