How does an R&D tax consultant help accountants to help innovative businesses?

Accountants are keen to help clients with R&D, but there is a question of who provides R&D help for accountants.

As R&D tax consultants, we work with accountants and innovative businesses to make the most of R&D tax relief claims.

Whether you are looking to strengthen your R&D service or offer it for the first time, it is worth understanding the benefits of working with an R&D tax consultant.

What does an R&D tax consultant do?

R&D tax reliefs may not have changed much recently, but this stability is built on many years of revisions and changes to the schemes.

An R&D tax consultant is someone who has taken the time to understand the current state of R&D tax relief schemes as well as how the legacy of the system continues to influence HMRC’s view of R&D.

It is no secret that there was widespread fraud that soured the reputation of R&D tax reliefs that has been the focus of targeted changes introduced by HMRC, particularly in recent years.

The tighter focus on compliance has made it riskier for accountants to go it alone with R&D tax relief claims.

Getting it wrong can see clients face steep penalties on top of them having to repay any tax relief they may have erroneously claimed.

A trusted R&D tax consultant should verify the validity of an R&D tax relief claim before it ever passes the desk of an HMRC agent.

How does an R&D tax consultant support an accountant?

There is a harmonious working relationship between accountants and R&D tax consultants.

The work you do to compile a client’s CT600 will form the foundation of an R&D tax relief claim.

It is those figures that will be used for calculations, so your expertise in ensuring they are accurate improves the validity of an R&D tax relief claim.

Where an R&D tax consultant adds value is managing the full scope of relief by establishing whether the work done by a client is viewed by HMRC as R&D and assigning costs appropriately.

There is a wide spectrum of qualifying costs for both direct and indirect work and missing any of these can weaken innovation for businesses that may benefit from the lost funds.

Similarly, including costs that are ineligible will see R&D tax relief claims become invalid, resulting in penalties from HMRC.

The improved quality of R&D tax relief claims has been achieved through the implementation of a more robust enquiry process.

Even perfectly legitimate R&D tax relief claims can be subject to an enquiry, so knowing how to handle these is vital for preserving value.

R&D tax consultants are equipped to handle enquiries and liaise with HMRC on behalf of accountants and innovative businesses.

This can be done even when the R&D tax consultant was not involved in the original claim.

Beyond this, R&D tax consultants can advise accountants and innovative businesses on best practices for improving future R&D tax relief claims, as well as other innovation incentives, such as patent box or grants.

Our team of expert R&D tax consultants work to elevate the value of your R&D service and help your clients make the most of their R&D tax relief claims.

We can work alongside you to improve the quality of R&D tax relief claims by creating technical narratives that illustrate to HMRC the value of the projects undertaken by your clients.

Our support can boost your confidence in offering your services, as compliance is our core focus.

To find out more about how an R&D tax consultant can support your accountancy work, get in touch with our team.

Adam Bointon

Adam Bointon is a Technical Director specialising in R&D Tax Credits for SMEs in manufacturing and software sectors. With over 15 years’ experience, he works closely with businesses to identify qualifying R&D activities and prepare clear, compliant claims. He combines technical expertise with a strong understanding of economics and finance to support successful outcomes. Adam also contributes to industry webinars and CPD sessions, sharing insights on R&D tax relief and HMRC requirements.