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SERVICES · LANCASTER · UK-WIDE
Accountants & tax advisors for UK SMEs and property investors
Every client gets proactive tax advice and strategic thinking built in - not sold as an add-on. Fixed fee agreed on the call. Based in Lancaster, serving clients UK-wide.
Fixed fee
Agreed on the call
No contract
Cancel any time
CIMA qualified
Chartered Management Accountant
One firm
Business & property covered
STRATEGIC SERVICES
More than compliance - financial thinking built in
These are the services that go beyond filing returns. Each one is built around your situation, priced on the call and available as a standalone or combined engagement.
Fractional CFO
Board-level financial leadership without the full-time cost.
· Cashflow forecasting & scenario planning
· Monthly board packs & KPI dashboards
· Hiring, investment & growth decisions
· Budget & financial controls
· Exit strategy & investor-ready reporting
· Non-exec FD role for credibility
Virtual Finance Office
Your entire finance function outsourced on a fixed monthly fee.
· Bookkeeping & bank reconciliation
· Payroll, PAYE & CIS
· VAT returns & compliance
· Management accounts & cashflow
· Financial controls & reporting
· Finance team oversight & support
Tax advice & strategy
Year-round tax planning for business & property — not just year-end filing.
· Corporation tax & income tax planning
· Capital gains tax & disposal planning
· Inheritance tax & estate planning
· Salary & dividend strategy
· R&D tax credits & reliefs
· Trusts & family investment companies
· Holding company & group tax structures
· Business structure & profit extraction
Property accounting
Specialist accounting for landlords, investors & developers.
· SPV & holding company accounts
· Section 24 & finance cost relief
· Capital gains & stamp duty planning
· CIS returns & subcontractor management
· Landlord self-assessment & tax returns
· Development project accounts
· Portfolio incorporation advice
· Inheritance tax on property
Payroll, PAYE & auto-enrolment
Managed payroll for businesses of all sizes - weekly, fortnightly or monthly. We handle everything from HMRC submissions to pension compliance so you don't have to.
Book a free call →✓ Weekly & monthly payroll
✓ RTI submissions to HMRC
✓ CIS returns & verification
✓ P11D & benefits in kind
✓ Auto-enrolment & pensions
✓ SSP, SMP & statutory pay
✓ Payslips & payroll records
✓ PAYE setup & management
COMPLIANCE
Just need the basics done right?
Accurate, on time, no surprises. Every piece of compliance work is handled personally by a qualified accountant who understands your situation, treats your numbers with the care they deserve and helps you keep more of what you earn.
Tax returns
Self-assessment tax returns
Director self-assessment
Corporation tax (CT600)
Partnership tax returns
Capital gains tax reporting
MTD for Income Tax compliance
HMRC correspondence & enquiries
Accounts & VAT
Annual accounts preparation
Statutory accounts
Companies House filing
Confirmation statements
Abbreviated accounts
VAT returns & registration
VAT scheme advice
Setup & bookkeeping
Company formation
Structure advice (sole trader vs Ltd)
Registered office address
Bookkeeping & reconciliation
Xero & QuickBooks setup
Management information
Initial bookkeeping setup
MTD for Income Tax is mandatory from April 2026
Quarterly digital submissions to HMRC will replace the annual self-assessment return for most self-employed people and landlords. We'll get you set up on the right software, handle your quarterly submissions and make sure you're compliant from day one.
COMMON QUESTIONS
Your questions answered
How much does an accountant cost for a small business in the UK?
There's no single answer — it depends on the size of your business, the services you need and how complex your affairs are. At Heights, all fees are fixed and agreed on the free discovery call based on your exact situation. There are no hourly rates, no surprise invoices and no minimum contract. The fee is also fully tax deductible, so HMRC effectively reduces the net cost through corporation tax or income tax relief.
What's the difference between a bookkeeper and an accountant?
A bookkeeper records and categorises your financial transactions — invoices, receipts, bank feeds. An accountant interprets those numbers, prepares your accounts and tax returns, advises on structure and tax planning, and helps you make better financial decisions. At Heights, we handle both under one engagement — so you get clean books and strategic thinking in the same relationship.
Do I need an accountant if I'm a sole trader?
You're not legally required to have one, but most sole traders benefit significantly from professional support. Beyond filing your self-assessment accurately and on time, an accountant can help you claim every allowable expense, structure your income tax-efficiently, advise on whether incorporating as a limited company would save you money and keep you ahead of changes like Making Tax Digital. The cost is usually far outweighed by the tax savings and time saved.
What is Making Tax Digital and does it affect me?
Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income Tax is a government initiative that requires self-employed people and landlords with qualifying income to keep digital records and submit quarterly updates to HMRC — replacing the annual self-assessment return. It becomes mandatory from April 2026 for most people with income over £50,000, and from April 2027 for those over £30,000. We can get you set up on the right software, handle your quarterly submissions and make the transition straightforward. Learn more about MTD →
Can one accountant handle both my business and my property?
Yes — and this is one of the key reasons clients come to Heights. Most accountants specialise in one or the other. We advise across both, which means your salary, dividends, rental income and capital gains decisions are all made with the full picture in mind. Whether you run a trading company, own a property portfolio or both — everything is handled under one engagement, with one point of contact.
GET STARTED
Not sure which service fits?
Pay less tax. Make more money. Free up more time.
That's exactly what the free 20-minute call is for. We'll map your situation, recommend the right level of support and agree a fixed fee — on the call, not after it.
Free · No obligation · Cancel any time
CLARITY · CONFIDENCE · CONTROL
Chartered accountants, tax advisors and strategists for UK SMEs and property investors. Based at Halton Mill, Lancaster.
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