Accounting Solutions Manchester

Accounting for architectural practices

Accountants for architects in Manchester

More time for your practice. Less worry about your accounts.

Client deadlines, site visits and design revisions already fill your day. Keeping your books in order should not take over the evening too.

Accounting Solutions Manchester can help you organise your records, understand your tax position and plan ahead, whether you work independently or run a growing practice.

A no-obligation conversation about your practice, your priorities and the support you need.

Architectural drawings with a compass and measuring tools on a desk

Support for sole traders and limited companies

A fixed fee agreed around your needs

151 five-star Google reviews

Built around the way you work

Your drawings are detailed.
Your finances should be clear too.

A busy pipeline does not always mean cash in the bank. Fees arrive at different project stages, extra revisions can eat into your margin and software costs continue even when a client pays late.

We help you turn those moving parts into organised records and useful information, so you can make decisions with a clearer view of what you earn, what you owe and what comes next.

01 / PROJECTS

See what each project earns

Bring time, costs and staged invoices together. Regular reporting can help you spot work that is taking longer than expected and distinguish turnover from profit.

Explore management accounts

02 / RECORDS

Make bookkeeping less of a job

Keep invoices, receipts and bank transactions organised. We can discuss a cloud accounting setup that fits your practice and the help you need to keep it current.

Explore bookkeeping support

03 / TAX

Know what to put aside

Understand upcoming liabilities and relevant deadlines. We can review your business costs and explain which expenses or reliefs may apply to your circumstances.

Explore personal tax support

04 / YEAR END

Prepare before deadlines loom

Agree what records are needed and when. For limited companies, we can help with year-end accounts and corporation tax returns as part of an agreed service.

Explore year-end accounts

05 / VAT

Get clear on VAT

Review registration requirements and keep returns supported by proper records. Work involving overseas clients or property can need a closer look at the VAT rules.

Explore VAT support

06 / YOUR TEAM

Keep payroll organised

If your practice employs staff, agree a payroll process that covers the information, pay dates and reporting your business needs.

Explore payroll support

A client’s experience

Approachable support, in their own words.

A Google review from J.A. Kanadi identifies their business as Mason and Marlowe Ltd.

“I highly recommend this firm to anyone looking for knowledgeable and approachable accountants.”

J.A. Kanadi
Mason and Marlowe Ltd

View the reviewer’s Google reviews

A straightforward start

Let’s take the uncertainty out of the next step.

You do not need perfectly organised books to start a conversation. Tell us what is working, what is taking too long and what you are worried about.

01

Tell us about your practice

We discuss how you trade, how you invoice projects and the accounts or tax questions you need answered.

02

Agree the right support

We set out the work, the fee and what we need from you. You know which responsibilities are covered before you commit.

03

Build a workable routine

Agree how records will be shared and how deadlines will be managed. Clear information from both sides helps keep things moving.

Questions from architectural practices

Your accounts, explained simply.

Should I work as a sole trader or through a limited company?

There is no single best option for every architect. Your profits, other income, responsibilities and future plans all matter. We can compare the accounting and tax implications with you. Legal liability and professional requirements should also be discussed with the relevant adviser.

Can I claim for design software, subscriptions and insurance?

Some business costs may be allowable, but the treatment depends on the expense and how your business is set up. Design software, professional subscriptions and professional indemnity insurance are useful items to review. Keep invoices and explain any personal use. Buying equipment can involve different rules from day-to-day running costs.

How should I manage staged fees and unpaid invoices?

Record the agreed stages, invoices issued and payments received separately. This helps you see outstanding fees and plan cash flow. The accounting and tax treatment of income can depend on your business structure and accounting basis, so an unpaid invoice does not automatically mean there is no tax to consider.

Can I claim travel to site visits and client meetings?

Some business travel may qualify, but ordinary commuting and personal journeys are treated differently. Keep a record of the date, purpose and journey. We can review the rules that apply to your situation, including whether you are self-employed or travelling as an employee or director.

Do architectural practices need to register for VAT?

You must consider the current registration tests for taxable turnover. Voluntary registration may also be worth reviewing. The right treatment can depend on the service, the client and where a property is located, particularly for overseas work. We can review your circumstances rather than assume that every invoice should be treated the same way.

Can you work with the accounting software I already use?

Tell us what you use and where the problems are. We can discuss whether to keep your current setup, improve the way records are organised or move to a more suitable system. Our existing FreeAgent guides below offer a useful starting point for invoicing, projects and expenses.

Can you help if I am changing accountant or behind with my books?

Start with a conversation about your records, upcoming deadlines and the work already completed. We can assess what is needed and agree a practical scope and timetable. Any handover will need the relevant information and permissions. We will not promise a completion date before understanding the work.

Will having an accountant stop HMRC asking questions?

No accountant can guarantee that HMRC will not make an enquiry. The aim is accurate records, appropriate claims and timely submissions, with clear advice about your responsibilities. We can explain what support would be available if you receive an HMRC letter.

These answers are general information, not personalised tax advice. The correct treatment depends on your circumstances and current rules.

Useful reading for your practice

Small improvements to your daily admin.

These existing guides are not written exclusively for architects, but cover practical tasks that can support a project-based business.

Project organisation

Manage projects in FreeAgent

Keep time, expenses and invoices connected to the work they belong to.

Read the project guide

Client invoicing

Raise an invoice in FreeAgent

A step-by-step introduction to creating an invoice and checking its details.

Read the invoicing guide

Expense records

Record an out-of-pocket expense

Learn how to record a business expense you have paid personally.

Read the expense guide

Make room for the work you enjoy.

Tell us about your architectural practice. We will discuss the accounting support you need and explain the next step clearly.

Helpful to have for our first conversation

  • How your practice is set up
  • The software you currently use
  • Your next accounts or tax deadline
  • The tasks you would most like help with

Meet us at our Manchester or Stretford office by arrangement. No need to send financial documents before we agree how to share them securely.

Illustrative stock image by Sergey Zolkin on Unsplash