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Swift Accountants — Listening. Understanding. Advising.
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HMRC & Companies House support for UK businesses

Compliance services

Know what is due.
Know who is looking after it.

You should not have to carry every deadline in your head. Our compliance services bring your tax returns, company filings and accounting records into a clearer routine—with a dedicated accountant, an agreed fixed fee and someone to ask when a question comes up.

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Your first conversation is completely free. Bring your questions; we will help you find a starting point.

★★★★★5.0 on Google · Read our reviews ↗
A business founder and accountant discussing company records in a bright design workshop.
Illustrative scene representing personal support with financial and statutory compliance. AI-generated image; the people and location are fictional, not identified as Swift staff or clients.
Swift Accountants — Listening. Understanding. Advising.

Your hard work.
Our full attention.Listening. Understanding. Advising.

Support built around your business: financial and statutory compliance, including accounts, tax, VAT, payroll and relevant Companies House filings. We agree which services apply to you and what is included.

What would help you most today?

“I want to get organised.”Understand the filings that apply and put a sensible routine around them.Explore the support → “I think we are behind.”Talk through missing records, outstanding returns and the dates that matter.Find a way forward → “I have received a letter.”Get help understanding the request and what needs attention next.Start with the letter →
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Illustrative scene of a small-business owner balancing daily work with administrative responsibilities. AI-generated image; the people and location are fictional, not identified as Swift staff or clients.

There is a person behind every business.
And a life beyond the paperwork.

We understand what is on your mind

You are keeping so much going.
Let’s make this part clearer.

Customers need you. Your team needs you. Then another reminder arrives about a return, a statement or a payment. Even a well-run business can find it difficult to keep track of separate systems and responsibilities.

“I’m worried we have overlooked something.”

We start with your business structure, registrations and current position, then map the accounting and filing work you need help with.

“I thought that had already been done.”

Prepared, approved, submitted and paid are different stages. Knowing which stage you have reached helps everyone understand the next action.

“The tax bill always catches me out.”

Filing and payment dates belong in the same conversation. We help explain the amounts and timing so you can plan the money needed.

You can ask for help before everything is organised. A clear picture of where you are is a useful first step.

Compliance services that fit the way you work

What applies to your business?

A sole trader, a growing employer and a limited company have different obligations. We build your support around the work that applies to you, with a clear explanation of the information and approvals we need.

01

Limited company accounts & tax

Annual accounts, Corporation Tax calculations and Company Tax Returns, with the relevant filing and payment dates identified. We can also discuss how your company accounts connect with the directors’ personal tax affairs.

Limited company support →
02

Companies House filings

Accounts and confirmation statement support, with company information checked and changes discussed. We explain what is needed for the filings we handle and flag matters requiring a separate action.

Understand the company essentials →
03

VAT & digital records

VAT returns, relevant record checks and submissions through compatible systems. We can discuss registration questions and the routine needed to keep sales, purchases and VAT information connected.

VAT return services →
04

Payroll & PAYE reporting

Payroll calculations and RTI submissions within your agreed service. Set a timetable for changes, checks and approval, with a clear distinction between reporting payroll and making the payments.

Payroll services →
05

CIS for contractors

If you pay subcontractors, discuss CIS verification, payment and deduction records, monthly returns and relevant notifications. The service is shaped around your role under the Construction Industry Scheme.

CIS accountants →
06

Self Assessment & sole traders

Personal tax-return support where required, including business or property income and payment planning. We also discuss whether Making Tax Digital for Income Tax affects your records and reporting.

Self Assessment support →
Request my completely free chat Not sure which applies? We can start there.
The relationship matters

Clear advice is important.
Feeling supported matters too.

5.0

“professional, friendly and very helpful.”

William Ellis

“the service and support is fantastic.”

Fallon Laura Gilhooley

“I’ve had an outstanding experience with Swift Accountants.”

Trevor E.

Selected excerpts from feedback on Swift’s accounting services.

Read our Google reviews ↗
For company directors

One company.
Several separate responsibilities.

“The company paperwork” can mean several different things. Understanding the difference helps you ask the right questions and see what has been completed.

Annual accounts

These report your company’s financial position and performance. The accounts filed at Companies House are part of your annual company obligations.

Company Tax Return

The return to HMRC includes the Corporation Tax calculation and relevant accounts information. Its filing deadline is separate from the date the tax must be paid.

Confirmation statement

This checks information on the Companies House register. It is a separate filing from the accounts, and some company changes need reporting separately.

Newly incorporated, changing your year end or restarting a dormant company? Tell us. The dates and work needed may differ from a standard year.

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Illustrative scene representing a conversation about company accounts, filings and responsibilities. AI-generated image; the people and location are fictional, not identified as Swift staff or clients.

You should understand what you approve.
We make room for your questions.

A practical deadline guide

Filing date. Payment date.
Both deserve a place in the diary.

These are common UK deadlines, not a personalised calendar. Your registrations, accounting periods, schemes and circumstances determine the dates that apply. We confirm these when agreeing your service.

Common UK accounting and tax compliance deadlines, with important distinctions.
TaskUsual deadlineWhat to check
Private-company accounts9 months after the financial year ends.First accounts are normally due 21 months after incorporation. Check any changes to the accounting date.
Corporation Tax payment9 months and 1 day after the Corporation Tax accounting period ends.Instalment-payment rules can change the dates. Paying is a separate task from filing.
Company Tax Return12 months after the Corporation Tax accounting period ends.A long first set of accounts can require more than one tax return.
Confirmation statementAt least every 12 months; file within 14 days after the review period ends.Your review date, company changes and relevant identity-verification requirements.
VAT return & paymentUsually one calendar month and 7 days after the VAT period ends.Your VAT scheme and account-specific dates, including when payment must arrive.
Payroll FPSGenerally on or before employees’ payday.Payroll changes and approval cut-off. PAYE/NIC payment has its own timetable.
CIS monthly returnBy the 19th following the tax month, which runs from the 6th to the 5th.Subcontractor records and any nil-return or inactivity requirement.
Online Self AssessmentNormally 31 January after the tax year, also the usual balancing-payment date.Payments on account may fall due on 31 January and 31 July. Other filing situations can differ.

Official guidance: company accounts and tax · confirmation statements · VAT · payroll · CIS · Self Assessment.

A useful question to ask: “Has this been prepared, approved or submitted—and is there a payment I still need to make?” We want you to understand the answer.

A clear task. A named person. A next step.

A routine you can follow
from the first record to the final action.

We agree how the work will move between you and Swift. Each stage has a purpose, so an unanswered question or outstanding approval is easier to spot.

  1. 01

    Map what applies

    Confirm the business, registrations, open deadlines and services included in your agreement.

  2. 02

    Gather the records

    Agree what you will provide, where to send it and when we need it to prepare the work.

  3. 03

    Prepare & clarify

    Work through the figures, reconcile relevant balances and raise questions about missing or unusual items.

  4. 04

    Review & approve

    Explain the information that needs your attention and obtain the necessary approval before submission.

  5. 05

    Submit & confirm

    Complete the agreed filing and share the relevant confirmation, with any remaining action identified.

  6. 06

    Plan the payment

    Clarify amounts, references and dates where relevant. You arrange the payment and funds required.

What Swift brings

The accounting work within your agreed scope, a filing routine, explanations and a point of contact for questions. We make the information and decisions needed from you clear.

What we need from you

Complete records, timely replies and approvals, updates about changes, and arrangements to pay amounts due. Directors and taxpayers retain their legal responsibilities when using an accountant.

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Illustrative scene representing a simple routine for capturing and organising business records; no actual client information is shown. AI-generated image; the people and location are fictional, not identified as Swift staff or clients.

Small habits through the month.
A clearer picture at the end.

Records that support the numbers

Make the paperwork
part of a manageable routine.

A bank transaction tells part of the story. An invoice, receipt or agreement can explain what the payment relates to and how it should be treated. Keeping those details together makes questions easier to answer.

  • Gather income and spending. Keep sales invoices, purchase invoices, receipts and relevant bank or payment-platform statements.
  • Explain the unusual items. Flag loans, transfers, private spending, asset purchases and anything you are unsure how to describe.
  • Tell us what changed. New staff, subcontractors, overseas sales, property income or a change in business structure may affect the work needed.
  • Share records in the agreed place. A consistent document route and sensible file names help reduce the search through old messages.

Already use accounting software or have a bookkeeper? Tell us how things work now. We can discuss the handover of information and where extra support would be useful.

Talk through your current setup →
When your business changes

A bigger team. More customers.
A routine that keeps pace.

Growth can bring new responsibilities alongside the opportunities. Tell us about your plans early so we can discuss the accounting and reporting implications before the first deadline arrives.

Taking on employees

Payroll needs accurate starter information, pay details and regular updates. Workplace-pension responsibilities also need consideration; we agree which tasks sit within your service.

Approaching the VAT threshold

The usual registration test looks at taxable turnover over a rolling 12 months, with a separate test for the next 30 days alone. The current threshold is more than £90,000. Discuss growing sales before assuming your accounting year-end is the only date that matters.

Paying construction subcontractors

Check whether you have contractor duties under CIS. Verification, employment-status considerations, deduction records and monthly returns need a reliable process.

Read the official VAT registration tests ↗

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Illustrative scene representing the people behind payroll and the responsibilities of a growing employer. AI-generated image; the people and location are fictional, not identified as Swift staff or clients.

Your team depends on the details.
We help you give them attention.

Current requirements worth checking

The rules move on.
Let’s understand what changes for you.

Two developments are particularly relevant to many business owners. Which steps you need to take depends on your role, income and circumstances.

Directors & people with significant control

Companies House identity verification

Mandatory verification began on 18 November 2025, with deadlines depending on the role and circumstances. Existing directors provide their personal code with the relevant confirmation statement; a person who is also a person with significant control (PSC) has a separate submission step for that role.

We can explain what information is needed for the company filings we handle and point you to the official verification route. Check the deadline that applies to your own circumstances.

Check Companies House guidance ↗
Sole traders & landlords

Making Tax Digital for Income Tax

The first mandatory phase started on 6 April 2026 for qualifying income over £50,000 in 2024/25. The next phase begins on 6 April 2027 for qualifying income over £30,000 in 2025/26.

Qualifying income broadly means combined gross self-employment and property income before expenses. Exemptions and special circumstances apply. We can discuss which rules affect you, your software and your reporting routine.

Check HMRC’s MTD guidance ↗

MTD for Income Tax is separate from limited-company Corporation Tax. VAT-registered businesses generally also have MTD for VAT record-keeping and software requirements, unless exempt.

If things have fallen behind

Start where you are.
We will listen.

A busy period, a change of staff or a difficult year can leave records unfinished. You do not need to put everything right before asking for help. Explain what you know, including any letters or missed dates.

01

Establish the position

Identify outstanding periods, notices, records available and anything already filed or paid.

02

Agree the priorities

Review urgent dates and the accounting work needed, then discuss a realistic scope and timetable.

03

Build the next routine

Work through agreed catch-up tasks and put a clearer process around the ongoing requirements.

A deadline is close or has passed? Call 01244 730 300 and mention it straight away. We can assess the next steps and whether we can help within the time available. Existing penalties, interest and appeal options depend on the facts.

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Illustrative scene representing help understanding business correspondence; the document is not an actual HMRC letter. AI-generated image; the people and location are fictional, not identified as Swift staff or clients.

Bring the letter. Bring the question.
We can start with understanding it.

HMRC & Companies House correspondence

A letter on the doormat
should have a clear next step.

It may be a reminder, a request for information or something that needs a more detailed response. Read the full notice, keep all its pages and tell us the response date when you get in touch.

We can discuss what the letter is asking for, which period it concerns and the records needed to respond. Where you want us to act, we agree the scope and any authorisation required.

  • Keep the full correspondence. Include attachments and any earlier letters on the same matter.
  • Explain what has already happened. Mention calls, submissions, payments or advice you have received.
  • Share documents securely. We can confirm the appropriate route for confidential information.

If HMRC is checking your tax affairs, our HMRC enquiry support page explains the relevant service in more detail.

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Illustrative scene representing a helpful conversation about accounting questions and deadlines. AI-generated image; the people and location are fictional, not identified as Swift staff or clients.

A familiar person to ask.
A conversation you can understand.

Communication is part of the service

You should feel comfortable
getting in touch.

A quick question can save a lot of uncertainty. We make room for the conversations around your records, deadlines and decisions throughout the work.

A proper conversation

01244 730 300
Talk through the question and mention any approaching deadline.

Put it in an email

info@swift-accountants.co.uk
Tell us what you need help with and how best to reach you.

Share your screen

Arrange a video conversation from wherever you work in the UK. Find a time to talk →

Meet over a coffee

Visit our Tattenhall office, near Chester, by appointment. We can also discuss a visit to your business.

Our usual hours
Monday–Thursday: 9am–6pm · Friday: 9am–4pm.
Other appointments by arrangement.

Your accountant, your agreed routine.

We agree your point of contact and how records, questions and approvals will move between us. If something changes or a date becomes difficult, tell us early so it can be discussed.

Documents in the right place.

Existing clients can use the Swift client portal ↗ for documents and messages. Confirm the agreed sharing route before sending confidential financial or employee information.

Request my completely free chat No charge for your first chat. No obligation to join.
Understand the service and the price

Fixed fees.
A scope that makes sense for you.

Your compliance work depends on your business structure, transaction volume, employees, registrations and the condition of the records. We discuss those details before proposing the service and fee.

You should know which returns and filings are included, what support is available and what we need from you. Any catch-up work deserves its own clear explanation.

We also clarify how software costs, statutory filing fees and work outside the agreed scope are treated. If your business changes, we can review the service together.

Have an existing quote or arrangement? Bring the list of inclusions. Comparing the actual work and responsibilities is more useful than comparing a monthly number on its own.

The first step is a conversation

Let’s understand what you need.

£0 for your first chat

It helps to have these details in mind:

  • Your business type and main activities.
  • Whether VAT, payroll or CIS applies.
  • Your year end and any urgent dates.
  • What is working—and what is worrying you.
Request my completely free chat

You do not need to prepare a perfect brief.

Switching to Swift

A fresh start,
with the handover thought through.

Changing accountants can feel like another task on the list. We offer free switching support and discuss the handover with you, including the work already under way and any immediate deadlines.

01

Agree the service

Confirm the scope, fee, contact person and what each of us needs to do.

02

Arrange the records

With your authority, request the relevant handover information from your previous accountant.

03

Review open work

Identify submitted returns, outstanding tasks and who is responsible during the changeover.

04

Set the routine

Agree document sharing, authorisations, dates and the next practical actions.

Switching support is separate from preparing overdue records or returns; any catch-up work is discussed and priced as part of the agreed scope.

Request my completely free chat
Explore the support around you

Find more detail about the services that fit your business, or start with a conversation if you are unsure.

Corporate accounting VAT returns Payroll services CIS accountants Audit preparation support Sole trader accountants
Questions welcome

Compliance services:
your questions answered.

Getting the details right starts with understanding them. Here are ten useful questions about working with Swift.

Ask us your question →
What do your compliance services include?

We focus on financial and statutory compliance: accounts, tax returns, relevant Companies House filings, VAT, payroll and CIS, together with the supporting records and timetable. Your agreement sets out which services are included. Specialist areas such as health and safety, legal advice or wider industry regulation need the appropriate specialist.

Do you deal with both HMRC and Companies House?

Yes, we can include relevant filings for both in your service. They have different purposes and deadlines, so we identify the work needed for each. You may also need to complete authorisation, identity-verification or approval steps; we explain what is required for the work we handle.

Are annual accounts and confirmation statements the same?

No. Annual accounts report the company’s finances. A confirmation statement checks information held on the Companies House register. Both may be required, and filing one does not complete the other. Some changes to company information also need separate notification.

Does filing a return mean my tax has been paid?

No. Submitting information and paying the amount due are separate actions. Corporation Tax is a common example where the payment deadline usually comes before the return-filing deadline. We help clarify amounts and timing within your service; you arrange payment using the appropriate reference and method.

What records will you need from me?

That depends on the work agreed. Typical records include invoices, receipts, bank statements, payroll changes and relevant agreements. We explain what we need, when we need it and how to share it. If a document is missing or a transaction is unclear, tell us so we can discuss it.

Can you help if my records or filings are behind?

Yes, we can discuss catch-up support. Start with the periods involved, any notices received and the records available. We assess the work and priorities before agreeing a scope. The outcome of any penalty or appeal depends on your circumstances; we will explain the position rather than promise a particular result.

What should I do if HMRC has written to me?

Read the full letter and note the response date. Keep all pages and relevant earlier correspondence, then contact us to discuss it. We can explain the request and agree any response support. For a tax compliance check, see our HMRC enquiry support service.

Can you work alongside my bookkeeper or current software?

Tell us what you use and who currently handles each task. We can discuss the information flow, access and preparation work needed, then agree responsibilities. Any software changes or additional setup should be considered as part of that conversation.

How much do compliance services cost?

We propose a fixed fee after understanding the services, activity and records involved. The scope should identify recurring work, catch-up work and the treatment of software or statutory filing charges. Your first chat is completely free and carries no obligation to join.

Can I switch accountants partway through the year?

Yes, you can discuss a mid-year move. We review the handover, existing work and open deadlines with you so responsibilities during the change are clear. Once authorised, we can request the relevant records and agree your new routine. Tell us about any urgent filing before the switch begins.

For your business. For the life around it.

You built this business
for a reason.

Perhaps it was independence, a better future for your family or the chance to do work you care about. Keeping the accounting organised should support that ambition.

Tell us what is taking up too much space in your head. We will listen, explain where we can help and talk through a practical next step.

Request my completely free chat

Completely free. No obligation to join.
Prefer to call? 01244 730 300

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Your business is part of your life.
Let’s help make room for the rest.

Guidance reviewed: 21 October 2026. General information for UK businesses. Requirements and deadlines depend on your circumstances and can change. Official sources are linked beside the relevant guidance. Your service agreement determines the work Swift undertakes.

AI-generated images illustrate business and everyday situations; people shown are fictional. Review excerpts relate to Swift’s accounting services. Read the Google reviews ↗.

Swift Accountants

Listening,
Understanding,
Advising

A real person to ask

Tell us what you need help with. We’ll call you to understand your situation, explain how we can help and agree the next steps.

Your initial chat is completely free. No obligation to join Swift.

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