Architects & surveyors

To provide truly effective business advice and support, you need a team with plenty of relevant experience.

Whether you’re managing multiple design projects or surveying complex developments, having the right financial, tax and compliance support is crucial to keeping your business on track.

We have experts that have specialised in advising architects and surveyors for many years and work with a large number of these practices. Our property sector team also has extensive experience in every aspect of the property market, including investment in residential or commercial land and buildings.

We can help you stay competitive in an evolving sector   

Our team has supported clients across every part of the property lifecycle – from design and development to investment in residential and commercial property. We’ve also worked closely with businesses operating in niche areas of the construction and property supply chain, helping them adapt to new pressures and plan ahead.

VAT for architects and surveyors

VAT can be hugely complex. Covering different rates of VAT and throwing in an international aspect can further complicate things. Place of supply rules, types of buildings, and the work being undertaken can all impact the VAT treatment.

Our VAT specialists can support you in these challenges, from understanding the correct treatment on a project to choosing the most appropriate VAT scheme for your firm. We also advise on suitable software and provide tailored VAT planning to support your ongoing compliance.

Statutory accounts and audit thresholds

All limited companies are required to prepare annual accounts, but as your firm grows, you may also reach audit thresholds. These relate to turnover, employee numbers, and total assets.

We’ll help you:

  • Understand when an audit is legally required
  • Prepare efficiently and proactively
  • Use the audit process as a tool for improving internal systems and governance

Firms in this sector should also take particular care when it comes to accounting policies – especially around revenue recognition and the valuation of amounts recoverable on contracts. We can support you in reviewing these policies.

Research and Development (R&D) tax relief

Despite doing highly innovative work, many architectural practices are unaware that their activities could qualify for R&D tax relief.

Eligible activities could include:

  • Developing sustainable or energy-efficient design techniques
  • Creating bespoke digital design tools
  • Overcoming significant technical uncertainty during the design process

We guide you through the R&D claims process – from identifying qualifying projects to preparing detailed submissions that stand up to HMRC scrutiny.

Advising on LLP and limited company conversions

We were one of the first accountancy firms to take on limited liability status, and started trading as a limited liability partnership (LLP) from 1 April 2004.

Since then, we’ve helped many professional services practices to convert to LLP status.

As an LLP, you combine the benefits of limited liability with the flexibility of organising your internal structure as a traditional partnership. You have the same tax rules as a partnership, you can secure bank borrowings on debtors, and you can create a more corporate structure with its own assets and subsidiary companies.

There’s a lot to consider when setting up an LLP – such as engagement terms, profit sharing and exit strategies. We can help you through the process, making it as smooth as possible for everyone involved, including partners, employees, bankers, clients, landlords and suppliers.

Alternatively, conversion to a limited company might be more appropriate for your practice. You might be attracted by the extra credibility that corporate status can bring, or by the ability to pay dividends to shareholders or the reduced tax charge when looking to reinvest profits into the growth of the business. We can advise you on the implications, and help you with all aspects of conversion.

We can help

Contact us today to find out more about how we can help you

Get in touch

Our services for architects and surveyors  

We provide a full range of financial and advisory services tailored to the needs of professional services firms in the sector, including:

Helping you manage your financial obligations 

Architectural projects are often long-term and complex, requiring robust financial management to ensure profitability and sustainability.

Managing payment delays

Late payments are a major challenge in this sector, impacting cash flow and increasing financial risk. We offer practical credit control support and can signpost you to our in-house specialists who can help improve your collection processes.

Cash flow management

From deposit planning to short- and long-term cash flow forecasting, our advisors will help ensure your firm has the liquidity it needs to operate confidently – especially when navigating seasonal or project-based income cycles.

Sector developments and updates

We’ll provide you with guidance on industry best practices and ensure you’re always informed of key changes.

Our online Insights Page is filled with relevant information for your business. Additionally, we produce reports, newsletters and issue email alerts, as well as being in regular contact with you when significant developments arise that may impact your business.

What are some frequently asked questions our experts receive? 

Which VAT scheme is best suited to architectural practices?

We help firms assess whether the standard, cash accounting, flat rate, or annual accounting VAT scheme is most appropriate based on their size, billing structure, and cash flow needs.

Can architects claim R&D tax relief?

Yes – many architectural practices carry out qualifying R&D activity without realising it. We’ll help you identify eligible work and manage the claims process to maximise your benefit.

What financial reports should architectural firms use to monitor performance?

Bespoke dashboards showing project profitability, work-in-progress, and cash flow trends can give valuable insights. We’ll help you build and interpret these reports to support strategic decisions.

 

We can help

Contact us today to find out more about how we can help you

Get in touch

Read our insights here

Top