Creative & Media

Creatives are usually bursting with ideas, not paperwork. We’ll help you implement software that automates the admin and gives you more time to focus on your next masterpiece. From tracking project costs to managing client briefs, our systems are built around flexibility and flair.

We can help with the following:

• Recommending cloud-based tools to manage creative projects
• Building an app stack to track time, tasks, and project profitability
• Setting up digital client invoicing with built-in approvals
• Automating expense claims and receipt tracking
• Connecting Xero to creative project management tools
• Streamlining file sharing and feedback loops
• Providing training on cost-effective systems
• Creating custom reports to understand what’s making you money
• Helping you go paperless from day one

Our clients work with Estimac, Programma, and other creative-specific software.

In the creative world, cash flow and project profitability can be unpredictable. A fractional CFO helps you understand the financial impact of your ideas, keeps costs under control, and ensures you’re scaling sustainably while protecting your creative freedom.

How we help:

• Track profitability across projects or clients
• Manage cash flow around large campaign spend or production cycles
• Align your team and tools to streamline workflows
• Translate creative goals into financial KPIs
• Support funding and growth planning for studios or agencies

Clarity behind the creativity.
You focus on designing, filming, editing or innovating – we make sure your statutory accounts and tax returns are rock solid behind the scenes. We ensure your records reflect the reality of your business, so you have peace of mind and clean books ready to support future growth.

How we help:

• Prepare and file your statutory accounts with Companies House
• Submit your Corporation Tax return to HMRC accurately and on time
• Reconcile your creative project income and freelance costs
• Match financials back to Xero or other software
• Identify tax-saving opportunities specific to the creative sector

Creativity thrives on clarity.
We help you see what’s really driving your profits – by project, campaign, or client. With good bookkeeping and a solid chart of accounts in place, we turn your raw data into real insight that helps you price better, pitch smarter, and grow confidently.

How we help:

• Profitability tracking per client or campaign
• Budget vs actual performance reports
• Creative staff utilisation and billable hours analysis
• Sales and service line KPIs
• Cash flow forecasting for project-based work
• Custom dashboard reporting from Xero, QuickBooks, Sage etc

Tax doesn’t need to kill your creative buzz.
We help you plan ahead so you’re not stuck making rushed decisions before year-end. From R&D claims to smart structuring of your business and IP, we make sure you’re making the most of every relief available, without the drama.

How we help:

• Identify and claim R&D tax reliefs where applicable
• Advise on IP ownership and licensing structures
• Help time income and expenses tax-efficiently
• Plan dividends and director salaries
• Assist with VAT on mixed-use supplies (e.g. digital + physical products)

Organised books = creative freedom.
Bookkeeping might not be glamorous, but when it’s done right, it frees you up to focus on your craft. We help creative businesses get set up with simple, automated systems so you can spend less time chasing receipts and more time building your brand.

How we help:

• Set up or clean up your chart of accounts for creative-specific categories
• Automate recurring transactions using smart rules in Xero
• Track project expenses and client billing with ease
• Ensure VAT is correctly applied across digital and physical sales
• Reconcile income from platforms like PayPal, Stripe, and GoCardless

Keep your creatives paid, so the ideas keep flowing.
Whether you have contractors, employees, or a mix of both, payroll accuracy matters. We know your team thrives on creativity, and the last thing you want is stress over pay runs, pensions, or PAYE. We act as your behind-the-scenes payroll department – reliable, accurate, and drama-free.

How we help:

• Set up payroll schemes for full-time and part-time staff
• Manage PAYE, pensions, and holiday pay
• Handle short-term or freelance contracts
• Provide clean payroll journals for bookkeeping
• Liaise with HMRC on your behalf
• Run monthly or quarterly payroll recons for accuracy

You handle the creative direction – we’ll handle the company structure.
When you’re changing ownership, bringing in partners, or issuing shares, it’s more than just paperwork. We’ll help you avoid costly admin or tax errors while keeping your company’s records in perfect order.

How we help:

• Act as your registered office and file confirmation statements
• Record new shareholders or partner ownership splits
• Prepare board minutes and shareholder resolutions
• File changes to directors, shares, or addresses with Companies House
• Keep your statutory records fully compliant and up to date

Turn your creative income into clever tax savings.
Creative businesses often have irregular income and multiple revenue streams. We help you plan around royalties, freelance work, limited company profits, and intellectual property to ensure you’re extracting income in the most tax-efficient way.

How we help:

• Tax planning for mixed-income portfolios (royalties, freelance, company profits)
• Director salary vs dividends optimisation
• Capital gains planning for IP or asset sales
• Profit extraction and pension contribution strategies
• Use of TaxDash to model “what if” scenarios based on your income mix

From invoices to tax returns – sorted.
If your income comes from multiple clients, freelance projects or royalties, your tax return can get complicated fast. We use TaxDash to bring clarity, save time, and make sure you don’t miss out on any allowable expenses or reliefs.

How we help:

• Register you for Self-Assessment if needed
• Track and input multiple income streams easily
• Advise on what expenses you can and can’t claim (e.g. home office, travel)
• Provide detailed explanations and examples tailored to creatives
• Submit your return and act as your agent with HMRC
• Offer expert support via our knowledge base or quick-call feature