--- title: "Construction Accountants Cardiff | HLS Accounts" description: "CIS returns, VAT reverse charge, payroll and accounts for construction companies in Cardiff. Clear job costing and cash flow support, no jargon." canonical: "https://hlsaccounting.co.uk/services/construction-company-accountants" --- Construction & CIS # Construction Company Accountants We provide specialist accounting services for construction companies across Cardiff and South Wales, helping you stay on top of CIS compliance, job costing and HMRC rules so you can focus on winning and delivering projects. [Book a free consultation](https://calendly.com/hlsaccounting/new-client-meeting) 10+ Years in practice CIS Experts 100% Compliance record ![Two professional accountants at a desk reviewing reports with a calculator and laptop, construction site visible through a window behind them.](/_next/image?url=%2Fapi%2Fmedia%2Ffile%2Faccountants_construction_office_realistic_studio_photo.png%3Fv%3D1773064245468&w=1536&q=75&dpl=dpl_DEc4fGhEc1SCRZZutzoEsRuDy1CJ) ## Everything under Construction Company Accountants From CIS deductions and VAT reverse charges to job costing and cashflow forecasting, we cover every financial need your construction business faces. ### CIS Compliance & Deductions We manage your CIS returns, verify subcontractors and keep you fully compliant with HMRC's Construction Industry Scheme rules. ### Job Costing & Project Budgets Track costs on every project, monitor profitability in real time and make sure each job delivers the margin you need. ### VAT Reverse Charge We handle the domestic reverse charge for construction services, keeping your VAT returns accurate and on time. ### Cashflow & Tax Planning Proactive planning to smooth your cashflow, reduce tax bills and help you reinvest in plant, staff or new contracts. ## How we support construction businesses in Cardiff Construction accounting is nothing like retail or professional services. You are dealing with fluctuating project costs, subcontractor payments, retention clauses, CIS deductions and the VAT reverse charge. Our team understands these complexities because we work with builders, fit-out contractors, groundworks specialists and trades across South Wales every day. We start by getting your books in order: setting up job costing systems, reconciling CIS deductions and making sure every invoice, timesheet and材料 cost is recorded accurately. From there, we prepare monthly management accounts so you can see which projects are profitable and which are eating into your margin. You will also get cashflow forecasts that account for retention releases, staged payments and the natural lag between winning work and getting paid. > We keep you compliant with HMRC so you can keep your focus on site. More information ### What is included **CIS administration:** We verify subcontractors, submit monthly CIS returns and reconcile deductions against your PAYE and Corporation Tax. If HMRC queries anything, we handle it. **VAT compliance:** The domestic reverse charge shifted the VAT burden from contractor to customer for most construction services. We make sure your VAT returns reflect this correctly, avoiding penalties and repayment demands. **Job costing:** Every project gets its own profit and loss account. Labour, materials, plant hire, subcontractors: we track it all so you know whether a job made money before the retention is even released. **Payroll:** We run your payroll for site operatives, office staff and directors, handling auto-enrolment pensions, holiday pay and any Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) levy obligations. **Year-end accounts and tax:** We prepare your statutory accounts, calculate Corporation Tax (or Income Tax and Class 4 NIC if you are a sole trader), and file everything with Companies House and HMRC on time. ### Common concerns we address Many construction businesses come to us after a costly mistake: a missed CIS deadline, an incorrect VAT return under the reverse charge, or simply no visibility into which jobs are profitable. We have seen directors chasing invoices while sitting on healthy retained balances they forgot to claim, and subbies paying too much tax because their previous accountant did not understand CIS deductions. If your books are behind or your previous accountant was not construction-savvy, we will get you back on track. We also work closely with your site managers and quantity surveyors to align financial reporting with project timelines, so your accounts reflect the reality on the ground. > Construction-specific tax planning can save you thousands every year. ### Why Cardiff and South Wales construction firms choose us We are based in Cardiff and we know the local construction market well. Whether you are working on residential developments in the Vale, commercial fit-outs in the city centre, or infrastructure projects across the Valleys, we understand the contracts, the payment terms and the challenges you face. We have clients ranging from one-person building firms to contractors employing fifteen tradespeople, and we tailor our service to your size and ambition. Our approach is proactive, not reactive. You will get regular updates on your financial position, early warnings about cashflow pinch points, and structured advice on when to invest in new plant, take on another employee, or hold off until a big invoice clears. We are here to help you grow sustainably, not just file your accounts once a year. ### Ready to talk? Book a free consultation and we'll discuss how we can support your construction business. [Book a free consultation](https://calendly.com/hlsaccounting/new-client-meeting) ### While you're here - [CIS Registration](/services/cis-registration)→ - [CIS Refund Claims](/services/cis-refund-claims)→ - [CIS Returns for Subcontractors](/services/cis-returns-for-subcontractors)→ ## Worth considering Construction & CIS ### CIS Returns for Contractors Monthly CIS returns prepared and filed on time, subcontractors verified, and deduction statements produced so you stay compliant and avoid HMRC penalties. [CIS Returns for Contractors→](/services/cis-returns-for-contractors) ## Before you get in touch These are the questions we hear most often from construction business owners across Cardiff and South Wales. Do I need a specialist construction accountant or will any accountant do? Construction has unique rules around CIS, the VAT reverse charge, retention accounting and job costing. A general accountant may miss opportunities or make costly errors. We specialise in this sector, so you get accurate compliance and better financial insight. How does CIS work and what do I need to do each month? Under the Construction Industry Scheme, contractors must verify subcontractors with HMRC, deduct tax at 20% (or 30% if unregistered) from payments, and file a monthly CIS return. We handle verification, deductions and filing, and reconcile everything against your tax bill. What is the VAT reverse charge and does it apply to me? Since March 2021, most standard-rated construction services fall under the domestic reverse charge, meaning the customer accounts for VAT, not the supplier. We review your contracts, determine what is in scope and make sure your VAT returns are correct. Can you help with job costing and project profitability? Yes. We set up job costing systems that track labour, materials, plant and subcontractor costs against each project, giving you real-time visibility into margins and helping you price future work accurately. What records do I need to keep for my construction business? You will need invoices, receipts, timesheets, subcontractor payment records, CIS statements and bank statements. If you use accounting software like Xero or QuickBooks, we can pull most of this automatically. If you are still paper-based, we will help you go digital. How much do your construction accounting services cost? Our fees depend on your turnover, the number of projects you run and whether you need payroll, VAT or bookkeeping support. After a free consultation, we will give you a fixed monthly quote with no surprises. Do you work with sole traders as well as limited companies? Absolutely. We support self-employed builders, plasterers, electricians and other tradespeople as well as limited construction companies. The CIS and tax rules differ slightly, and we tailor our service to your structure. How quickly can you get my accounts up to date if I've fallen behind? Usually within two to four weeks, depending on how far behind you are and the quality of your records. We will agree a clear catch-up plan during your consultation, and once you are current, we keep you that way with monthly bookkeeping. ## Let's talk about your construction accounting Book a free consultation and we'll show you how we keep Cardiff construction businesses compliant, profitable and ready to grow. [Book a free consultation](https://calendly.com/hlsaccounting/new-client-meeting)