VAT Services for Accountants

VAT Services for Accountants

Whether working in-house or independently, it is essential for accountancy professionals to have a strong working knowledge of all aspects of VAT law. Making a mistake can result in higher costs and regulatory compliance issues for yourself and your clients, while also damaging your reputation and brand image.

If you are looking for a comprehensive suite of VAT services for accountants to take your VAT management capabilities to a higher level, The VAT People are here to help. We provide everything from transactional VAT advice to bespoke VAT training, ensuring accountants can stay up to date with the latest developments in the industry.

Our consultants are all trained specialists, with many having previous experience as VAT inspectors. As such, we are ideally placed to provide the most relevant guidance on every aspect of VAT and help you to remain legally compliant.

Speak to The VAT People about your circumstances today. Call us on 0333 3638 012, or fill out an online enquiry form to request a call back at your convenience.

How we can help you

Accountants have an obligation to help their clients to fulfil their VAT liabilities while ensuring that they do not pay more than they need to. An accountant may achieve this either by reducing their client’s payments or improving the accuracy of their VAT declarations. It is also essential that accountants help clients to avoid potentially costly HMRC penalties.

At The VAT People, our comprehensive range of support services can allow accountants to ensure they follow best practices at all times, with a focus on helping them to identify the specific needs of their clients, find opportunities to reduce their VAT liability and keep things running as efficiently as possible.

We are proud of our record in offering tailored, pragmatic and commercially savvy advice and support for the accountancy sector, which have delivered measurable and lasting benefits for our clients.

The VAT People is one of the UK's largest and most comprehensive sources of VAT and customs advice. Our highly qualified team of expert consultants has experience of working with clients across the country, and will be able to work with you in a way that meets the needs and objectives of your business.

Our VAT services for accountants

Our VAT specialists offer a range of services for the accountancy sector, including: 

VAT Toolkit Plus

  • A tool for practice-based accountants, VAT Toolkit Plus is designed to help you to critically review how a client deals with VAT. This handy tool is produced as part of the audit, and assists with identifying any issues and opportunities that a client may have to ensure that action can be taken.

HMRC Investigations

  • While VAT declarations and audits are regularly carried out among businesses of all sizes, situations may sometimes need to be escalated, resulting in an investigation by HMRC. When this happens, our team of experts can talk you through the options that are available to you, ensuring you are in compliance with the investigation to make the process as stress-free as possible.

Assessment Review

  • In cases where your client has been subject to an HMRC assessment, The VAT People can look comprehensively at the assessment to check that everything has been carried out in accordance with regulations. Where HMRC has failed to take all the facts into consideration, there are options available to you.

VAT Recovery/Partial Exemptions

  • VAT recovery is an integral aspect of our service for accountants. We can help you to ensure your clients are happy by offering support throughout the VAT recovery/partial exemptions process. This includes investigating and recovering incorrect VAT payments for you, which gives you more time to focus on your dealings with clients.

VAT Health Checks

  • At The VAT People, our team of specialists can provide a full audit of your clients’ VAT systems to ensure that the procedures in place are compliant with current VAT regulations. A VAT Health Check could bring direct benefits to your clients, which detail all areas of overpayments, non-compliance and other issues.

VAT Training

  • Ensuring that your clients have some level of in-house knowledge regarding VAT is essential for accountants. The VAT People offers a number of tailored courses to guide your clients through VAT regulation, ensuring they are compliant with HMRC rules and have the knowledge they require to carry out their operations correctly. We can also arrange training for you and your employees.

VAT Planning

  • Managing the risk involved with clients’ VAT payments and planning processes is an integral aspect of business for accountants. Our VAT specialists can help you to enhance the quality and breadth of the service you offer clients, utilising our knowledge and expertise to ensure they only pay the minimum amount of VAT accountable to their business.

Transactional VAT

  • We offer a comprehensive service for accountants, helping with a broad spectrum of VAT-related issues such as day-to-day activities, to ensure in-house accountants and those working independently remain up to date with the latest developments.

VAT training and advisory services for accountants

The VAT People is revered across the UK as a firm made up of leading VAT business consultancy specialists. Our overarching mission is to enhance VAT understanding, compliance, and efficient handling among accountants in businesses of all sizes. This is propelled by over 20 years of extensive experience delivering comprehensive training and advising accountants across a myriad of industries.

Our expertise and services

Our wide range of expertise spans across the vast and often complex landscape of VAT legislation, positioning us uniquely to deliver exceptional value to your organisation. We impart your accountants with the necessary skills and tools to manage VAT efficiently, aiding them in becoming adept at navigating the intricacies of VAT compliance. In turn, this paves the way for improved interaction with HMRC, whilst ensuring that VAT obligations are met with precision and timeliness.

What sets us apart for VAT accountants’ advice and training

Our services offer more than just VAT training; they present a holistic solution that enhances your business' overall VAT management. Here is why we stand out:

  1. Wide range of expertise: We bring a wealth of knowledge to your business, covering all aspects of VAT legislation.
  2. Access to more skills and tools: Our training programmes equip your accountants with the skills and tools they need to handle VAT compliance and HMRC communications effectively.
  3. Fewer overhead expenses: Our services help reduce the burden of managing VAT compliance in-house, freeing up resources to focus on your core business.
  4. Peace of mind: By entrusting your VAT training and compliance to our experts, you can have peace of mind knowing that your VAT affairs are being handled accurately and professionally.
  5. Non-predatory approach: We believe in collaboration, not competition. Our goal is to complement your services, not replace them. You can rest assured that we respect your relationship with your 'crown jewel' clients.
  6. More value for money: With our cost-effective services, you receive high-quality training and consultancy at a price that delivers outstanding value.
  7. Quality control: We maintain the highest standards in all our services, ensuring that your accountants receive top-notch VAT training and advice.
  8. Experienced consultancy advice: We handle even the most complicated VAT cases with ease, leveraging our extensive experience to deliver expert consultancy.
  9. In-house consultancy: Our services are seamlessly integrated with your business. We work closely with your accountants, ensuring that our training and advice align with your business needs and practices.

The VAT People is your go-to partner for all matters VAT. With us, your accountants will gain invaluable knowledge, skills, and confidence to effectively manage VAT compliance in your organisation. Reach out to us today to learn more about our VAT training and advisory services for accountants.

Contact Us

If you would like to benefit from our specialist VAT knowledge and extensive experience, potentially lowering your clients’ VAT payments in the process, call us on 0161 477 6600, or fill out an online enquiry form to request a call back.

To learn more about our team of specialists here at The VAT People, visit our team page.

FAQs about VAT for accountants:

How does VAT registration affect an accountant's responsibilities?

Once a business is VAT registered, accountants are responsible for accurately calculating and recording VAT on sales and purchases, submitting VAT returns, and paying VAT to HMRC within the specified VAT accounting period. Specialised training can aid in the management of these additional responsibilities.

Can accountants claim VAT on behalf of the businesses they represent?

Yes, accountants can claim VAT on behalf of VAT-registered businesses. They can recover VAT paid on eligible purchases related to VAT-taxable activities. This requires accurate record-keeping and an understanding of the specific rules for different types of purchases, of which our training can provide a foundational knowledge.

How can accountants leverage VAT schemes for the benefit of the businesses they represent?

Several VAT schemes may provide benefits to businesses, such as the VAT flat rate scheme, which simplifies VAT calculations. Training can help accountants understand how these schemes work and when they can be applied.

What is the role of an accountant in a VAT investigation?

During a VAT investigation into a business, the company’s accountant plays a critical role in liaising with HMRC, providing necessary documentation and explaining VAT calculations. They are instrumental in defending the VAT decisions made by the business and resolving any disputes.

At The VAT People, we are committed to enhancing the VAT understanding and proficiency of accountants across diverse sectors. Reach out to us today to explore how we can support your organisation's VAT training needs.

Why is specialised VAT training essential for accountants?

VAT, or Value Added Tax, is a multifaceted aspect of tax law. Any inaccuracies in VAT returns or VAT calculations can lead to substantial penalties from HMRC. Specialised VAT training equips accountants with the knowledge and skills to accurately manage VAT compliance, reducing potential risks and liabilities.

What subjects does your VAT training for accountants cover?

Our VAT training spans an extensive range of topics, including the fundamental principles of VAT, how to handle VAT on imports and exports, the specifics of VAT on various goods and services, the procedure for completing and submitting VAT returns, and strategies for dealing with HMRC enquiries. We can also adapt our training to suit your organisation's specific needs.

How is your VAT training delivered?

We offer flexible training delivery options, including face-to-face sessions, online seminars, and webinars, ensuring that there is an option that will best suit your requirements. Our training can be delivered on a one-to-one basis or to groups, depending on your organisation's preferences.

Is ongoing support available after training?

Yes. Our commitment to our clients extends beyond the training phase. We provide ongoing support to ensure your accountants continue to apply their VAT knowledge correctly and effectively in their daily roles.

How frequently should accountants undertake VAT training?

Considering the regular updates and changes in VAT legislation, we recommend routine VAT training to keep your accountants current. The exact frequency can be discussed based on your organisation's specific requirements and the complexity of your VAT responsibilities. By monitoring your accountants to ensure they are following the correct procedures, you can also identify when further training may be necessary.

How can our accountants apply the knowledge acquired from your VAT training?

The knowledge gained from our VAT training can be implemented in a variety of ways, such as in accurately preparing and submitting VAT returns, confidently liaising with HMRC, advising on the VAT implications of business decisions, and implementing effective VAT schemes within your organisation.