Business setup and CIS registration
Help establishing the correct registrations, accounting records, software and responsibilities for a new or growing construction business.
CIS Accountancy Service for Construction Contractors
Get specialist accounting support that connects your CIS records with bookkeeping, VAT, monthly returns, annual accounts, tax filings and the reconciliation of deductions made or suffered.
- Support for limited companies, sole traders, partnerships, contractors and subcontractors
- CIS records aligned with bookkeeping, VAT and year-end accounts
- A straightforward consultation through selected construction accountancy specialists
No obligation. Please do not submit UTRs, National Insurance numbers, bank details, tax returns or accounting records through this form.
Specialist CIS accountants
Support from professionals familiar with construction businesses and CIS records.
Connected compliance
CIS, bookkeeping, VAT and year-end accounts considered together.
Clear reconciliations
Help matching deductions, statements, returns and accounting records.
UK-wide service
For contractors and subcontractors operating across the United Kingdom.
What is a CIS accountancy service?
A CIS accountancy service supports construction businesses with the wider financial and tax work surrounding the Construction Industry Scheme. It can connect day-to-day CIS records with bookkeeping, VAT, payroll where relevant, management information, annual accounts, Corporation Tax and Self Assessment.
For contractors, this may include subcontractor verification, monthly CIS returns, payment and deduction statements and the reconciliation of deductions payable to HMRC. For subcontractors, it may include checking deductions suffered, matching statements to income, dealing with tax returns and identifying the correct route for claiming or setting off CIS deductions.
What specialist CIS accountancy support can include
The appropriate scope depends on whether you operate as a contractor, subcontractor or both, your business structure, transaction volume and the records already in place.
Bookkeeping and transaction processing
Recording sales, purchases, labour, materials, subcontractor payments and expenses so that CIS information agrees with the accounts.
Contractor CIS compliance
Support with subcontractor verification, deduction calculations, payment statements, monthly returns and amounts payable to HMRC.
CIS deductions suffered
Reconciliation of deductions taken from subcontractor income against payment statements, sales records and the relevant tax or PAYE process.
VAT and domestic reverse charge
Help with VAT registration, digital records, return preparation and the domestic reverse charge where it applies to construction services.
Annual accounts and Corporation Tax
Preparation of statutory accounts, Company Tax Returns and supporting schedules for limited companies operating within CIS.
Self Assessment and partnership returns
Tax-return support for sole traders, partners and individuals receiving construction income with CIS deductions.
Management accounts and HMRC support
Cash-flow reporting, profitability reviews, historic corrections and help responding to HMRC questions or compliance checks.
Key CIS and accountancy deadlines
These are common general deadlines. The exact date can vary with your business structure, accounting period, VAT scheme, payment method and individual circumstances.
| Requirement | General timing | Who it commonly affects |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly CIS return | By the 19th following the end of the tax month | CIS contractors that pay subcontractors, including nil-return or inactivity obligations where applicable. |
| Pay CIS and PAYE deductions | Normally by the 22nd electronically or the 19th by post | Contractors with deductions due to HMRC. |
| Payment and deduction statements | Within 14 days after the end of the relevant tax month | Contractors that made CIS deductions from subcontractor payments. |
| VAT Return and payment | Usually one calendar month and 7 days after the VAT period ends | VAT-registered businesses, subject to the VAT scheme used. |
| Private-company annual accounts | Normally 9 months after the company financial year ends | Established private limited companies; first-account deadlines can differ. |
| Corporation Tax | Usually paid 9 months and 1 day after the accounting period; return due within 12 months | Limited companies, subject to different rules for larger businesses and special cases. |
| Online Self Assessment | Normally by 31 January following the end of the tax year | Sole traders, partners and other individuals required to file a tax return. |
| Record retention | CIS records: at least 3 years after the tax year; company tax records are commonly retained for 6 years | Contractors, subcontractors and limited companies. |
A CIS tax month normally runs from the 6th of one calendar month to the 5th of the next.
Who may benefit from a specialist CIS accountant?
Specialist support can be valuable where ordinary bookkeeping does not fully capture the interaction between construction payments, deductions, VAT and business tax.
CIS contractors
Businesses paying subcontractors and responsible for verification, deductions, statements, monthly returns and record-keeping.
CIS subcontractors
Businesses receiving payments under CIS that need deductions suffered reconciled and reflected correctly in their tax position.
Limited companies
Construction companies needing joined-up support across CIS, VAT, PAYE, statutory accounts and Corporation Tax.
Sole traders and partnerships
Construction businesses requiring bookkeeping, accounts, Self Assessment and support claiming credit for CIS deductions.
Property developers
Developers engaging subcontractors directly and needing clear project costs, VAT treatment and CIS records.
Agencies and deemed contractors
Organisations with more complex workforce, payment or construction-spend arrangements that may bring CIS obligations.
How the consultation process works
The initial discussion is designed to establish your CIS position, current records and the accountancy work you want to outsource.
Submit your requirements
Tell us about your business structure, CIS position, accounting records and the support you need.
Your enquiry is reviewed
We consider the broad accountancy requirement and identify an appropriate CIS specialist.
Speak to an accountant
A specialist discusses your records, deadlines, outstanding issues and expected service scope.
Review the proposal
Confirm the work included, fees, responsibilities, software and onboarding process before deciding whether to proceed.
Payroll or accountancy?
CIS accountancy is wider than CIS payroll administration
CIS payroll support generally focuses on verification, deductions, payment statements and monthly returns. CIS accountancy connects those operational records with bookkeeping, VAT, deductions suffered, annual accounts, Corporation Tax, Self Assessment and wider financial reporting.
Some businesses need both services. The consultation can help clarify whether you require ongoing accountancy, payroll administration or a combined service.
CIS accountancy service FAQs
Answers to common questions from construction businesses considering a specialist accountant.
What does a CIS accountant do?
A CIS accountant can support bookkeeping, CIS registrations and returns, deduction reconciliations, VAT, annual accounts, Corporation Tax, Self Assessment and other financial obligations. The precise scope should be agreed before appointment.
What is the difference between CIS payroll and CIS accountancy?
CIS payroll usually concentrates on subcontractor verification, deduction calculations, statements and monthly contractor returns. CIS accountancy covers the wider books and tax position, including VAT, deductions suffered, annual accounts and business tax filings.
Can an accountant submit monthly CIS returns?
An appropriately authorised agent can normally perform CIS functions for a contractor, including verification and return submission. The business should confirm the accountant’s authority and the agreed division of responsibilities.
How are CIS deductions suffered dealt with?
The treatment depends on the subcontractor’s business structure. A specialist can reconcile payment and deduction statements with income records and apply the correct claim, set-off or tax-return process.
Can a CIS accountant help with domestic reverse charge VAT?
Yes. Where the construction domestic reverse charge applies, an accountant can help review invoices, bookkeeping treatment, VAT coding and return preparation. The rules should be considered separately from CIS deductions.
Do subcontractors need a specialist CIS accountant?
It is not compulsory to use a specialist, but construction experience can be valuable where income is received under deduction, materials and expenses need to be recorded correctly, or the business operates as both contractor and subcontractor.
How much does a CIS accountancy service cost?
Fees depend on business structure, transaction volume, number of subcontractors, bookkeeping quality, VAT and payroll requirements, year-end work and any historic issues. A consultation allows the accountant to quote for a defined service.
What should we prepare for the consultation?
It is useful to know your business structure, whether you are a contractor or subcontractor, current software, approximate transaction and subcontractor volumes, VAT status, year end and any overdue returns or unresolved deductions. Do not send sensitive records until a secure process has been agreed.
Need specialist accounting support for your construction business?
Tell us how your business operates under CIS, what records you currently keep and where you need help. We will connect you with an appropriate CIS accountancy specialist for an initial discussion.
Useful CIS services, tools and resources
CIS payroll service
Get help with verification, deductions, payment statements and monthly CIS returns.
CIS invoice and payment voucher generator
Create practical CIS invoice and deduction statement documents.
CIS tax rebate calculator
Estimate whether CIS deductions may have resulted in an overpayment.
Top CIS Accountants
List of top CIS accountants in the UK