Accountants & tax advisers · Manchester & London

Clear numbers.
Confident decisions.

Tax, bookkeeping, payroll and company secretarial support for small businesses, sole traders and landlords. We handle the numbers and the deadlines so you can get on with running your business.

  • 15+ years' experience
  • Transparent, agreed fees
  • Making Tax Digital ready

What we do

Everything your finances need, under one roof

From your first tax return to running the whole finance function, pick the support you need now and add more as you grow.

Personal tax

Self Assessment, landlord returns, capital gains and CIS reclaims, with planning to make full use of your allowances and reliefs.

Personal tax services

Business tax & VAT

Corporation tax returns, VAT registration and quarterly filings, and HMRC correspondence handled for you.

Business tax services

Bookkeeping & accounts

Cloud bookkeeping, management accounts and year-end accounts for companies and charities, so you always know where you stand.

Bookkeeping services

Payroll & pensions

Payslips, RTI submissions, pension auto-enrolment and CIS returns, run accurately and on time every pay period.

Payroll services

Outsourced finance

A virtual finance director, dashboards and regular reporting, without the cost of a full in-house team.

Outsourcing services

Company secretarial

Confirmation statements, statutory registers, and director and PSC identity checks, keeping you in good standing with Companies House.

Company secretarial

Why Rao Consulting

Advice from people who know your business

Since 2009 we've helped entrepreneurs, small businesses and growing companies get their finances in order. We give clear, accurate figures and proactive advice so you can make decisions with confidence, not just meet the next deadline.

  • Transparent fees. Agreed before we start, with no surprises on the invoice.
  • Proactive, not reactive. We flag savings and risks before they become problems.
  • Plain English. No jargon, just what the numbers mean for you.
An adviser presenting figures to a business team

Who we work with

  • Limited companies
  • Sole traders
  • Landlords
  • Contractors & CIS
  • Start-ups
  • Charities
15+

Years in practice

1,500+

Clients supported

3,000+

Projects completed

99%

On-time filing compliance

Free tool

What will you actually take home?

Enter a salary to see your estimated Income Tax, National Insurance and take-home pay for the 2026/27 tax year.

£
Show amounts

Estimated take-home pay

£2,393 per month

Take-home pay
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Income Tax
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National Insurance
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Gross salary
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Total deductions
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Estimate for an employee in England, Wales or Northern Ireland on tax code 1257L, 2026/27 rates. Excludes pension, student loan and benefits in kind. Self-employed or a company director? We can work out the most tax-efficient way to pay yourself.

Talk to us about tax planning

How it works

Getting started is simple

  1. Tell us what you need

    A short call or message about your business and where you need support.

  2. Get a clear quote

    We explain what's included and agree the fee before any work begins.

  3. We take it from here

    We handle the handover from your previous accountant and HMRC authorisations.

  4. Ongoing support

    Reminders ahead of deadlines, filings done on time, and advice when you need it.

Now in force

Making Tax Digital for Income Tax has started

Sole traders and landlords now need to keep digital records and send HMRC quarterly updates through compatible software once their qualifying income passes the threshold. We can check whether you're in scope, set up your software and file each update for you.

Does MTD apply to you?

£
£

Enter your yearly gross income (before expenses) to find out.

  1. April 2026Income over £50,000
  2. April 2027Income over £30,000
  3. April 2028Income over £20,000

Qualifying income is your gross self-employment plus property income. HMRC uses the figures on your tax return from two tax years earlier.

Client stories

What our clients say

“Rao Consulting transformed our finances. Their strategic insights and attention to detail have been invaluable.”
Tyler Curtis Entrepreneur
“Their hands-on approach and proactive reporting give us peace of mind. Highly recommended!”
Sarah Mitchell Small business owner
“We've entrusted our entire finance function to Rao Consulting. Their expertise frees us to concentrate on growth.”
Alessio Dunn Manager

FAQs

Questions we're often asked

Can't find your answer? Ask us directly

How much do your services cost?

Every client's needs are different, so we agree a fixed fee with you up front based on the work involved, with no surprises on the invoice. Tell us what you need and we'll send a clear quote.

Can I switch to you from my current accountant?

Yes, at any point in the year. Once you decide to go ahead, we contact your previous accountant for the handover and set up our authorisation with HMRC, so there's very little for you to do.

When is my Self Assessment return due?

Paper returns are due by 31 October and online returns by 31 January after the end of the tax year (5 April). Any tax owed is due on 31 January, with a second payment on account on 31 July if it applies to you.

Do I need to register for VAT?

You must register if your VAT-taxable turnover goes over £90,000 in any rolling 12-month period, or you expect it to within the next 30 days. You can also register voluntarily below the threshold, which suits some businesses. We can help you decide.

What is Making Tax Digital for Income Tax?

It's HMRC's requirement for sole traders and landlords to keep digital records and send quarterly updates using compatible software. It started in April 2026 for qualifying income over £50,000, and extends to over £30,000 from April 2027 and over £20,000 from April 2028. Use the checker above to see where you stand.

How long do I need to keep my records?

Sole traders and landlords should keep records for at least 5 years after the 31 January submission deadline for that tax year. Limited companies generally need to keep records for 6 years from the end of the financial year.

Do you only work with clients in Manchester and London?

No. We have offices in Manchester and London, and we support clients across the UK by phone, email, video call and WhatsApp.

Get in touch

Let's talk about your numbers

Tell us a little about your situation and one of our team will be in touch.

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