Led by an award-winning Chartered Tax Adviser
Chartered Certified Accountants and Tax Advisers in Manchester, London and Hertfordshire
Not your ordinary accountants!
Merit Accountants is a firm of Chartered Certified Accountants and Chartered Tax Advisers with offices in Manchester, London and Hertfordshire. Our team includes professionals who have worked inside HMRC, and our partners have built their own businesses from nothing to over £1m in turnover. In the last two years alone, we’ve saved clients over £9.2 million in tax.
Key Statistics
Common problems we solve
Do any of these sound familiar?
- Limited financial visibility: No clear understanding of your business performance or cash flow.
- Slow or unclear advice: Working with accountants who do not respond or provide actionable insight.
- High tax bills: Paying more tax than necessary without a clear strategy.
- Compliance concerns: Worrying about HMRC requirements or inaccurate records.
- Lack of internal support: No in-house finance team or gaps in financial leadership.
Most of the business owners who come to us have at least two of these problems. We fix them with year-round reviews, management accounts you can read and a named adviser who answers within two business days.
How we help
Complete Finance Function
From bookkeeping, VAT and payroll to monthly management accounts, financial control and year-end accounts, you get a full outsourced finance function for a fraction of the cost of in-house staff. It suits businesses from around £250,000 turnover with no upper limit, including those past £1m that need monthly management accounts and tighter financial control. Designed by partners who’ve run their own businesses, our model gives you the financial control of a large company without the salary bill.
Tax Planning
Most accountants do your tax return. We plan around it, months in advance. Depending on your service, we review your position monthly, quarterly or six-monthly, and we offer every client a pre-year-end planning meeting to find savings before the window closes. Our Chartered Tax Advisers have overturned HMRC decisions and saved individual clients six figures in a single year.
Finance Raising
Our partners have raised capital for businesses of their own, so they know what lenders and investors look for. We prepare the forecasts, business plan and information pack for bank funding, angel investment or growth capital, introduce you to FCA-authorised brokers and corporate finance advisers, and work alongside them.
HMRC Defence
Some of our team have worked inside HMRC. That means when you’re under enquiry, we know exactly how investigations are run, what HMRC is looking for, and how to protect your position. We’ve helped clients successfully overturn disputes that other accountants had already conceded.
Why clients leave their old accountants for Merit
The most common thing we hear from new clients is this: “My previous accountant just filed my returns and sent me a bill.” That’s not what we do.
At Merit Accountants, every client relationship is proactive. You are assigned a dedicated accountant who understands your sector and your goals. Your position is reviewed during the year, not just at year end, so tax-saving opportunities are spotted while there is still time to act.
That mix of Chartered Tax Advisers, former HMRC staff and partners who have run their own businesses is rare in an accountancy firm, and it means the advice is commercial as well as technically right.
Chartered Tax Advisers
CTA qualified: the highest tax qualification in the UK
Worked inside HMRC
Our team includes professionals who have worked inside HMRC, so we know how they think
Business Founders
Our partners have built their own businesses from nothing to over £1m in turnover
Need to talk to a tax expert?
Why choose us?
You need tax accountants who actively improve your financial position, and who have the credentials to do it. Merit is led by Chartered Tax Advisers, holders of the UK’s highest tax qualification.
That combination of chartered tax expertise, inside knowledge of HMRC and real commercial experience is what you get from day one, across our offices in Manchester, London and Hertfordshire.
- Tax planned, not just reported. Structured reviews during the year find savings before the window closes.
- HMRC handled from the inside. Our team includes professionals who have worked inside HMRC, so we know what triggers an enquiry and how to defend your position.
- Advice from people who’ve built businesses. Our partners have built their own businesses from nothing to over £1m in turnover, so the advice is commercial and practical, not theoretical.
- A dedicated adviser who knows your sector. You deal with someone who can make decisions, and you get clear advice without jargon.
- Qualified advisers, not salespeople. Your first meeting is with a qualified adviser, and a Chartered Tax Adviser reviews your tax position from the start.
- Fixed fees, agreed before the work starts. You know the cost before we begin, and it does not change unless the scope does.
- Accounts and tax looked at together, then checked again. Your accounts and your tax position are prepared together, and every set of accounts and every VAT return is reviewed by a second tax specialist before it is filed.
- Registered and accredited. We are audit registered with ACCA, a registered Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP) for Companies House filings, and a Xero Platinum partner.
For a feel of how we think, read our guides to salary vs dividends in 2026/27 and HMRC tax investigations.
Hear what our clients think
If you would rather hear from clients than read reviews, we asked three of them to talk honestly about working with us.
Anna Garcia, CEO of Coach HQ, on accountancy, tax and business advice from one team, with proactive input all year round.
Prapti, owner of a fitness business, on tax advice that brought her tax bill down significantly, with quick answers whenever she needs them.
Waj, owner of an online retail business, on proactive tax planning that has delivered significant savings, and prompt advice all year.
Testimonials
What our clients say about Merit
Here is what clients have written about us on Google.
“They flag things before we’ve even thought to ask, which is something we’ve never experienced with an accountant before.”
Farz B., Google review
“They quickly understand complex matters, explain them in straightforward terms and provide practical, commercially sound solutions tailored to our needs.”
Zyba K., Google review
“Every year they are prompt and responsive, even reminding us when our filings and VAT reports are due.”
DanRaw Stores, Google review
“They are a highly professional, knowledgeable team and a true pleasure to work with.”
Liana T., Google review
“The team go above and beyond to deliver the best service and are always striving to find ways to improve the business position.”
Vardan F., Google review
Industries we serve
We provide expert accounting, tax and advisory services to a wide range of sectors across the UK and internationally.
Led by Hussein Bhaiji FCCA CTA, winner of the Chris Jones Prize from the Chartered Institute of Taxation, our team knows the tax and compliance issues in each of these sectors.
Contractors & Self-Employed
We help contractors and self-employed professionals stay tax-efficient, manage IR35 risks and keep on top of their income and expenses, with simple, fixed-fee packages.Contractor Tax & IR35 Advice →
Creative & Entertainment
From designers to musicians and influencers, we support creatives with bespoke tax planning, income tracking and royalty accounting.Accounting for Creatives & Influencers →
E-Commerce & Online Retail
We help online sellers manage platform income, inventory, VAT and cross-border tax for sellers on Shopify, Amazon and Etsy.Accountants for Online Sellers →
Construction & Property Investors
We handle CIS submissions, VAT on property transactions, capital allowances and tax-efficient structuring for builders, developers and property investors.CIS & Property Tax Specialists →
Tech & Start-ups
We work with fast-growing tech companies and founders on R&D claims, financial forecasting and tax structuring to support scaling.Accountants for Tech Start-ups & Founders →
Health & Wellbeing
We help private clinics, therapists, gyms and wellness businesses with cash flow, payroll, tax planning and their HMRC filings.Accounting for Clinics & Wellness Businesses →
Professional Services
From solicitors to consultants and architects, we handle the accounts, tax and partner profit allocations so you can concentrate on fee-earning work.Accounting for Solicitors & Consultants →
Hospitality & Leisure
We help restaurants, cafes, hotels and leisure businesses run payroll and tronc correctly, track margins, manage VAT and plan for seasonal swings in trade.Accountants for Restaurants & Hotels →
International & Non-Resident
We assist overseas businesses and non-resident individuals with UK tax, company set-up, compliance and property tax obligations like ATED and CGT.UK Tax for Overseas Businesses →
Private Clients / High-Net-Worth
Our discreet, expert-led tax advisory service helps high earners and families manage personal tax, property, trusts and investments efficiently.Personal Tax Planning for High Earners →
Charities
We support charities with accounts preparation, SORP compliance, Gift Aid claims and governance reporting to help them focus on impact.Accountants for Charities & Not-for-Profits →
Marketing & Digital Agencies
We support agencies, consultants and digital marketers with precise financial tracking, project profitability analysis and VAT compliance, so you can scale without losing sight of your numbers.Accounting for Digital Agencies →
Recruitment
We help permanent and temp recruitment firms stay compliant and profitable with specialist payroll solutions, margin tracking, VAT planning and advice on IR35 and off-payroll working rules.Accountants for Recruitment Firms →
Landlords & Buy-to-Let
We help landlords and buy-to-let investors with rental income tax, finance cost relief, Making Tax Digital for Income Tax and the 60-day Capital Gains Tax return and payment when a residential property sale leaves tax to pay.Accountants for Landlords →
Our services
Every service below is run with your tax position in mind, for businesses and individuals across the UK.
For start-ups and smaller firms, our small business accountants look after the accounts, tax returns, VAT and payroll for a fixed monthly fee.
For growing businesses, we add outsourced bookkeeping, monthly management accounts, an outsourced financial controller to review your in-house bookkeeper’s work and fractional CFO support.
VAT Returns & Advice
MTD-compliant VAT returns and guidance on schemes like Flat Rate, Margin and Partial Exemption.
HMRC Enquiries & Investigations
Defence of HMRC enquiries, compliance checks and Code of Practice 8 and 9 investigations, plus voluntary disclosures, from people who have worked inside HMRC.
ATED Returns
ATED returns and relief declarations for UK residential property worth over £500,000 owned by a company, a partnership with a corporate partner or a collective investment scheme.
Capital Gains Tax Reporting
Timely CGT reporting for property disposals and asset sales, including 60-day UK property returns.
Construction Industry Scheme
Monthly CIS returns for contractors, and registration, gross payment status applications and refunds of CIS deductions for subcontractors.
Corporation Tax Returns
Corporation tax returns (CT600) and computations, with corporation tax planning before your year end to reduce the bill.
Self Assessment and Partnership Tax Returns
We prepare Self Assessment tax returns for directors, landlords, high earners, sole traders and partnerships, and a specialist tax adviser reviews every return for reliefs and savings, not just compliance.
Tax Advisory & Planning
Tax planning led by Chartered Tax Advisers, to reduce your tax bill legally before decisions are made, not after.
Complete Finance Function
Bookkeeping, payroll, VAT, management accounts and year-end tax run by one team, supervised by a Chartered Tax Adviser.
Accounts Preparation
Year-end statutory accounts prepared and filed with Companies House and HMRC, with a second tax specialist reviewing every set before filing.
Outsourced Bookkeeping
Bookkeeping services in Xero, kept up to date with regular bank reconciliations, so your records are ready for VAT returns, management reports and year end.
Payroll & P11D Processing
Fully managed payroll services including payslips, RTI submissions and employee benefits reporting.
Company Secretarial Services
Confirmation statements, director and PSC changes, and Companies House identity verification, filed for you as a registered Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP).
Audit Services
Statutory and voluntary audits for UK companies and groups, led by our audit partner, Mukkarram Ali FCCA, who is separate from our tax advisory team. You get independent assurance for boards, lenders and investors, and we report control weaknesses and tax points as the audit goes on.
Management Accounts
Monthly or quarterly packs with commentary, KPIs and a running tax position, reviewed with you by two partners.
Outsourced Financial Controller
A quarterly review of your in-house bookkeeper’s work, with management reports and a meeting to go through them.
Fractional CFO & FD
Senior finance support without a full-time hire: performance meetings, forecasts, board reporting and funding.
Frequently asked questions
What makes Merit different from other accountants?
We’re not your ordinary accountancy firm. Merit is led by Chartered Tax Advisers, not just accountants. Our team includes former HMRC staff, and our partners have run businesses of their own. That means proactive, year-round tax planning and genuine commercial advice, not just compliance. Our focus is helping you reduce tax legally, stay in control of your finances and make better decisions with confidence.
Can a good accountant really save me more tax than their fees?
Very often, yes. With the right planning, timing and structure, reviewed throughout the year rather than after it, many clients achieve savings and efficiencies that comfortably exceed their fees. In the last two years alone, we’ve saved clients over £9.2 million in tax. The exact outcome depends on your circumstances, but our focus is always measurable value, not just compliance.
What happens when I first become a client of Merit?
We start with an onboarding conversation to understand your business, your goals, your current position and the services you need. That lets us identify priorities early and put a proactive tax strategy in place from day one. We make a point of understanding how your business actually works before advising on the best way forward.
Do you offer a pre-year-end tax planning meeting?
Yes, and it’s one of the most valuable meetings in your financial year. Before your year end, we review your expected performance, forecast profits and tax liabilities, and identify practical, legitimate ways to reduce the bill while there’s still time to act. Once the year end has passed, many of those opportunities are gone for good.
What is an outsourced finance function?
It means an external team such as Merit runs some or all of your finance work instead of a full in-house department: bookkeeping, management reporting, VAT, payroll, financial controls, forecasting and CFO-level oversight. You get the financial control of a large company without the salary bill, and because every layer is supervised by a Chartered Tax Adviser, your tax position is managed all year, not just at year end.
Is outsourcing the finance function cheaper than hiring in-house?
For many growing businesses, yes. Once you add up salaries, employer’s National Insurance, pension contributions, software, recruitment, holiday cover, training and management time, an outsourced finance function is frequently more cost-effective than an in-house team, and gives you access to a far wider range of expertise than a single hire.
How quickly do you complete year-end accounts?
Provided your records are supplied promptly, we aim to complete year-end accounts within three months of your year end. Turnaround depends on receiving complete information and quick responses to any queries, but our goal is always to deliver accurately and without unnecessary delay.
Can I move to Merit if I already have an accountant?
Yes, and we make it simple. We liaise with your existing accountant, request professional clearance, and manage the handover so it’s as smooth as possible. Most clients move to us because they want more proactive advice, better communication and stronger tax support than they were getting. The full process is set out in our guide to changing accountants.
When should I speak to a tax adviser about reducing tax?
Before your year end, or before any major financial decision. Tax planning is almost always most effective when it’s done early. If you wait until your accounts and tax return are due, many of the best opportunities have already been lost.
What support do you provide during the year?
As much or as little as you need: accounts, corporation tax, bookkeeping, management reporting, VAT, payroll, Self Assessment and ongoing tax planning. We’re built to be available when you need practical advice, not just at filing deadlines. Depending on your service, structured reviews run monthly, quarterly or six-monthly.
Which businesses are best suited to your outsourced finance function?
Our Complete Finance Function is designed for growing businesses, typically turning over from around £250,000 upwards, with no upper limit, that need stronger reporting, better visibility, improved controls and more proactive support. It’s ideal for owners who have outgrown basic bookkeeping and year-end accounts but aren’t yet ready to build a full in-house finance team.
Do you only work with limited companies?
No. We work with limited companies, sole traders, partnerships, landlords, property investors, high-net-worth individuals, charities, non-UK residents and clients with more complex affairs across 14 sectors. The service you get depends on the type of client you are and how much advice you need.
Do you work with clients outside Manchester, London and Hertfordshire?
Yes. We have offices in Manchester, London and Hertfordshire, and we work with clients right across the UK, supporting many of them remotely. You get personal service with flexible communication, wherever you’re based.
How much does an accountant cost?
It depends on the size of your business, the state of your records and how much advice you need. We work on fixed monthly fees agreed in advance, with every set of accounts and every VAT return reviewed by a second tax specialist before it is filed, and in most cases the tax we save exceeds the fee. Our guide sets out typical UK market fees: how much does an accountant cost in the UK?
Our UK offices
- 020 4534 7857
- 16 Upper Woburn Place, London, WC1H 0AF
- Mon to Fri, 9:00 to 17:00
- 0161 303 0610
- Phoenix House, 2 Huddersfield Road, Stalybridge, Greater Manchester, SK15 2QA
- Mon to Fri, 9:00 to 17:00
- 020 4635 9882
- Suite H, 230 High Street, Potters Bar, Hertfordshire, EN6 5BL
- Mon to Fri, 9:00 to 17:00
Contact Us
Book an appointment with an adviser
No obligation and no jargon. Just straight advice from a team that has built businesses, saved clients millions in tax and knows what HMRC looks for. We will reply within two business days.
Our offices in Manchester, London and Hertfordshire
We have three offices and act for clients across the UK. Most of our work runs by video call, which suits people who would rather not lose half a day to a meeting, and we visit clients in person where sitting down together helps.
Greater Manchester. Our office is Phoenix House, 2 Huddersfield Road, Stalybridge. As accountants in Manchester, we act for businesses across Tameside, Stockport, Oldham and Altrincham, including Ashton-under-Lyne, Hyde, Denton, Droylsden and Dukinfield, and just over the Derbyshire border in Glossop. Businesses and individuals across Greater Manchester use us as their tax advisers as well as their accountants, from year-end planning to HMRC enquiries.
London. Our office is 16 Upper Woburn Place, WC1H 0AF, in Bloomsbury. As accountants in London, we act for clients across the capital and nationally.
Hertfordshire. Our office is Suite H, 230 High Street, Potters Bar EN6 5BL, covering south Hertfordshire and north London. We act for clients across Potters Bar, Barnet, Enfield, Cuffley, Brookmans Park, Northaw, Hatfield, Borehamwood, St Albans, Watford and Welwyn Garden City.