Sector specialists
SaaS accounting covers revenue recognition, R&D tax relief, EMI options and SEIS/EIS compliance.
Written and reviewed by Waqas Sagar Member of ICAEW, Fellow of ACCA, Fellow of AAT, a double graduate and entrepreneur at heart, helping startups grow and serving thousands of businesses nationwide with an excellent team. Published by LimitedCompany.Accountants, 12 London Road, Morden, London SM4 5BQ. Reviewed 12 September 2026 against 2026/27 UK rates and current Companies House and HMRC guidance.
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QuickBooks PartnerCertified ProAdvisor100+ yearsCombined team experienceFully insuredUp to £2m indemnityBeyond statutory accounts, a startup accountant handles deferred revenue recognition for subscriptions, R&D tax relief claims, EMI option scheme paperwork, and SEIS/EIS compliance statements, all areas where a generalist practice makes costly mistakes.
Revenue recognition and R&D relief
Equity, options and investor reporting
Beyond statutory accounts, a startup accountant handles deferred revenue recognition for subscriptions, R&D tax relief claims, EMI option scheme paperwork, and SEIS/EIS compliance statements, all areas where a generalist practice makes costly mistakes.
Subscription income is not simply cash received; an annual contract paid upfront is recognised over the service period, with the unearned portion sitting on the balance sheet as deferred revenue. Get this wrong and both your accounts and your corporation tax computation misstate the year's real profit.
R&D tax relief is one of the largest reliefs available to a genuinely R&D-active software company, but HMRC now requires an additional information form before the claim, competent professional judgement on what counts as an advance in software, and a robust breakdown of qualifying staff time and cloud costs. Loosely worded claims are increasingly enquired into.
EMI share option schemes need a valuation agreed with HMRC, a notification within 92 days of grant, and annual returns even in years with no activity, all of which sit outside routine bookkeeping. Get the paperwork wrong and the tax-advantaged treatment can be lost entirely.
SEIS and EIS investment brings its own compliance: advance assurance before you raise, the SEIS1/EIS1 compliance statement after the shares are issued, and strict conditions on how the money is spent within the qualifying period. Investors will expect a cap table and clean management accounts, not just annual statutory accounts.
Rates, thresholds and deadlines quoted here reflect the 2026/27 UK position and current Companies House and HMRC guidance. Check GOV.UK, or ask us, before relying on them for your own company.
Local help
We work with company directors across London and Surrey from our office at 12 London Road, Morden, London SM4 5BQ. Pick your area, or send the form below and we will call you back.
Frequently asked
Yes. Tax follows the accounting treatment, so revenue recognised over time for accounting purposes is generally taxed over the same period, not when the cash lands.
Yes, provided qualifying R&D activity and expenditure exist; many early-stage SaaS companies claim before generating meaningful revenue.
Most start on our £169 a month package once they have investment, a cap table and payroll to manage, moving up as headcount grows.
Keep bank statements, sales and platform reports, purchase invoices, payroll records, VAT workings, finance agreements and Companies House correspondence. We confirm the exact list at onboarding and identify gaps before a filing deadline becomes urgent.
The fee depends on transaction volume, record quality, VAT and payroll requirements, historic catch-up and the level of reporting needed. We agree a fixed scope and price before technical work starts, with published packages available on our fees page.
Yes. We request professional clearance, collect the prior records and authorities, check the next Companies House and HMRC deadlines, and give you one clear handover list. The process is normally completed remotely.
Yes. We work through secure cloud records, scheduled reviews and digital approvals, while keeping a named team available by phone, video call and email. Clients can also visit our Morden office by appointment.
We regularly work with Xero, QuickBooks, FreeAgent, Sage and connected sales or expense apps. The right setup depends on transaction volume, integrations and the reports you need, not simply the software brand.
The relevant calendar may include annual accounts, Corporation Tax payment and return dates, confirmation statements, VAT returns, payroll submissions and Self Assessment. We map the dates from your company year end and registrations.
No. This page explains general UK rules and common accounting treatment. Your facts, contracts and wider tax position must be reviewed before you rely on a conclusion.
Included approach
Check the current rules
Deadlines, thresholds and filing rules change. GOV.UK and Companies House publish the current statutory position; advice should then be applied to your company’s circumstances.
Talk to an accountant
Share your next deadline, accounting problem or growth question. We will reply with a clear next step and quote any technical work before it begins.
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Appointments run Monday to Friday, 9:00am to 5:30pm. Your confirmation is emailed straight away.
Four London offices
Work with us entirely online, or sit down with your accountant at whichever office suits you. Open Monday to Friday, 9:00am to 5:30pm. Office visits are by appointment only, so please book before coming in.
Free, no obligation
Pick a time that suits you and a qualified accountant will call you about your company, deadlines and fees.
Appointments run monday to friday, 9:00am to 5:30pm. Your confirmation is emailed straight away.
