Accountants for Construction Companies

Brearley & Co are proud to offer a range of services catering to the unique needs of the construction sector.

Construction businesses are complex with many moving parts, and we understand that managing the financial aspects can be a substantial undertaking. By taking advantage of our accounting expertise, this burden can be lifted, creating more time across the many other facets of a construction business.

We provide customised services for the construction sector, including annual accounts and strategic planning, that centre on protecting and enhancing financial health.

Why construction companies need a specialist accountant

For a sector like construction, accounting services can be the difference between profit and loss. If tax deadlines aren’t met, or a robust financial plan is not in place, things can quickly spiral out of control.

Some of the typical financial challenges construction companies face include:

Managing cash flow across long and staged projects
Dealing with late payments and delayed retention fees
Keeping track of project costs and overall profitability
Handling subcontractor payments and staying compliant with CIS
Navigating VAT rules, including the reverse charge for construction services
Understanding what expenses can be claimed to reduce tax liability
Staying on top of multiple tax obligations (CIS, VAT, PAYE, corporation tax)
Managing rising costs of materials, fuel and labour

At Brearley & Co, our accountants can help track expenses, manage project costs and identify cost-saving opportunities – as well as ensure you stay compliant. We are well versed in the financial regulations and reporting standards for the construction sector.

Accounting for construction companies: how we can help

For construction companies across Rotherham, Barnsley, Sheffield and Doncaster, Brearley & Co have a wide selection of services to utilise.

Our expert team supports construction businesses at every stage, from sole traders and subcontractors to growing contractors and established firms.

We can help with:

Annual Accounts

Accurate, compliant annual accounts that provide you with a clear picture of your business performance.

Taxation

Proactive tax planning to ensure you’re paying the right amount, making the most of available reliefs and staying compliant.

CIS & Subcontractor Support

Full support with Construction Industry Scheme (CIS) registration, verification, deductions and monthly returns.

Payroll & Auto Enrolment

Reliable payroll services for your workforce, including pension compliance and auto enrolment.

VAT services

Tailored VAT services, including guidance on VAT schemes such as the reverse charge for construction, to keep you compliant and efficient.

Bookkeeping & Financial Management

Helping you stay on top of your finances with organised records and systems tailored to project-based work.

Management Accounting & Reporting

Regular reports to help you track performance, control costs and make informed financial decisions.

Cash Flow & Financial Planning

Support with forecasting and managing cash flow across projects with flexible strategic planning, helping you stay in control in a variety of scenarios.

See what our customers say

SME ECM Limited

Ryan Smith, Director

I am thoroughly impressed with your document signing solution! I just signed the end-of-year documents, and the process was as smooth as could be. Your IT department or solution provider deserves high praise for implementing such an efficient system. As someone with extensive experience in this field, I can confidently say that many large organisations don't come close to this level of seamless, end-to-end capability!

PAC Groundworks

Emma Critchlow

I would highly recommend Steven at Brearley & Co Accountants. On Steven’s advice we moved to Quickbooks and it was a brilliant decision. He has helped to streamline our accounting so that it now runs much more efficiently. Nothing is ever too much trouble, even if the question is a rather minor one. He is always at the end of the phone or email if any advice is needed and responds to queries very quickly. Steven delivers a friendly, personal and professional service and his knowledge of Quickbooks is second to none. I cannot recommend Steven highly enough; he is an excellent accountant!

Elite Highways

Matt Lindsay, Director

Brearley & Co Accountants has been the perfect find for all of our accounting needs and business advice and support. They place customer satisfaction at the top of their agenda and backed up with all of the knowledge you could ever need to know for starting or running a business means any enquiry or concern is swiftly dealt with and the support offered is second to none. "As a new business owner I couldn’t recommend Brearley and Co Accountants enough as the perfect support for your new venture or as an alternative with an extremely approachable and professional manner.

ABACUS Performance Media Ltd

Russell Whitehouse, Co-owner

In starting a business from scratch you naturally have a lot of concerns. Since day one approximately 3.5 years ago, Lee, Kelsea and the wider team at Brearley have provided us with their expertise and support to help us navigate the (successful) growth of our business. What sets them apart for us is their flexibility and understanding of our requirements. We are most definitely not their biggest client but it doesn't feel like that. Oh, and they're lovely people too.

Silver Healthcare

Roy Young

Brearley & Co have provided Silver Healthcare Ltd with accounting services for around 20 years, as well as a trusted advisor, they have provided sound professional advice on numerous occasions. The team headed by Mark Smallman are very proactive and professional, special attention has always been provided regarding general accounting and tax requirements enabling me and the team to concentrate on the running of the business. Top quality accounting with a friendly personal approach.

Yates Drywall

Helen Yates

Yates Drywall have worked with Brearley & Co since we began trading in 2014. We have found them to be professional and proficient, whilst friendly and helpful. Brearley & Co have helped us to grow our business and provide us with reassurance that we are complying with regulations. If we have any queries they always come back to us and proactively support us in ensuring our business runs smoothly. I would have no hesitation in recommending Brearley & Co to others.

Why choose Brearley & Co?

Having dependable, experienced accountants who understand the construction sector can be transformative. Here’s why construction companies partner with us:

Specialist knowledge of the construction sector and its unique challenges
Help staying compliant with CIS, VAT and HMRC requirements
Clear, fixed pricing so you always know where you stand
Practical, digestible advice to improve cash flow and profitability
Easy-to-use digital tools for managing your finances on the go
Ongoing support during business growth

What’s the latest?

For the latest information from HMRC, check out our blog.

Read Our Blog

Accounting for construction companies: FAQs

Are construction companies tax exempt?

Construction companies are not tax exempt. They must comply with various tax regulations, including corporation tax and the Construction Industry Scheme (CIS). The CIS allows for the management of tax deduction and may apply reduced VAT rates on certain projects. We can help you understand tax requirements for your business and ensure your stay compliant – and financially efficient.

What type of accounting is used in construction?

The most common type of accounting used in construction is percentage-of-completion, which matches revenue recognition with project progress. This allows billing as certain milestones (percentages) are reached. Accrual basis is also widely used, which records revenue when earned and expenses when incurred - regardless of when cash actually changes hands.

Are construction materials tax deductible?

Construction materials are generally tax-deductible as business expenses for contractors and subcontractors as part of the Construction Industry Scheme (CIS). Materials like bricks, timber, cement, and plasterboard are considered ‘direct costs’ for a project and are deducted before calculating tax deductions.

What is the VAT reverse charge for construction services?

The VAT domestic reverse charge must be used for most supplies of building and construction services. It was introduced in 2021 to prevent fraud and requires the customer receiving services to account for VAT to HMRC - rather than the supplier. The supplier should issue a zero-VAT invoice, while the customer records both input and output VAT.

What is the Construction Industry Scheme (CIS)?

The Construction Industry Scheme (CIS) is a UK tax regulation where contractors deduct money from subcontractors' payments and pass it directly to HMRC. The deductions count as advance payments towards the subcontractor's tax and National Insurance.

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How can we help you?

Brearley & Co Accountants are pleased to offer a free, no obligation, initial consultation with one of our experts who will be happy to discuss your business needs and how we can help you.

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