Experience the difference

Assisting your academy be it a school or college with specialist VAT advice

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Independent, leading accountants in Hampshire
Trusted, experienced business advisers

One of the region’s largest independent firms of Chartered Accountants, we are renowned as quality business advisers with commercial edge.

Our aim is to become an objective, specialist addition to your team delivering intelligent, proactive, tailored, commercial solutions to add value to your business.

Industry-leading accounting and taxation advice is delivered through a wide range of advisory services. Specialist company and personal tax planning, corporate finance, payroll, human resources, IT and strategic. All tailored to meet your needs to offer a fresh approach to your business.

Based in Chandlers Ford near Southampton in Hampshire, we have a long-standing pedigree going back more than three decades. But the future is our focus – for our own business and for yours. Call us now to find out how our independent, commercial advisers can make a difference.

Leading Accountants for Academies, Academy VAT

Dedicated information for Academy Schools and Colleges

Independent, leading accountants in Hampshire
Trusted, experienced business advisers

One of the region’s largest independent firms of Chartered Accountants, we are renowned as quality business advisers with commercial edge.

Our aim is to become an objective, specialist addition to your team delivering intelligent, proactive, tailored, commercial solutions to add value to your business.

Industry-leading accounting and taxation advice is delivered through a wide range of advisory services. Specialist company and personal tax planning, corporate finance, payroll, human resources, IT and strategic. All tailored to meet your needs to offer a fresh approach to your business.

Based in Chandlers Ford near Southampton in Hampshire, we have a long-standing pedigree going back more than three decades. But the future is our focus – for our own business and for yours. Call us now to find out how our independent, commercial advisers can make a difference.

We know how easy it can be to get lost in the VAT maze and our website has been specifically designed to help you through it! With our experience as leading Accountants for Academies advising on treatment of VAT we are able to answer questions that you may have regarding your academy.

Our website is an easy to use guide which is packed with valuable information and expert guidance about registration and the rules which apply to everyday transactions in your academy.

We are now seeing Colleges converting to Academy status and therefore this website is equally applicable to colleges and schools.

Independent, leading accountants in Hampshire
Trusted, experienced business advisers

One of the region’s largest independent firms of Chartered Accountants, we are renowned as quality business advisers with commercial edge.

Our aim is to become an objective, specialist addition to your team delivering intelligent, proactive, tailored, commercial solutions to add value to your business.

Industry-leading accounting and taxation advice is delivered through a wide range of advisory services. Specialist company and personal tax planning, corporate finance, payroll, human resources, IT and strategic. All tailored to meet your needs to offer a fresh approach to your business.

Based in Chandlers Ford near Southampton in Hampshire, we have a long-standing pedigree going back more than three decades. But the future is our focus – for our own business and for yours. Call us now to find out how our independent, commercial advisers can make a difference.

Here’s what we can assist you with:

  • The treatment for numerous different transactions
  • Information on the different ways an academy can be structured and organised
  • Inform whether it is desirable (or necessary!) to register for VAT
  • Reclaiming the correct amount of VAT on costs
  • The VAT recoverable using voluntary claim Forms VAT126
  • Planning ideas to help improve recovery of VAT

Background

Get to know the background to VAT and how it impacts academies and colleges.

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VAT Rules

Understand the VAT rules that apply to academies.

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VAT Treatment

Learn how to apply VAT treatment to different school and college activities.

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Subscribe

Subscribe now for full access to Academy VAT guidance.

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Academy Accounting means adapting to a new accounting and financial reporting regime and dealing with the requirements of the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) which can be daunting. Our specialist Academy Accountants are here to guide you through it.

What our clients say

In all their dealings with Eggar’s School, we have found HWB staff to be very professional, knowledgeable and approachable. They do an excellent job of keeping us informed as they are always at the end of the phone, host regular School Business Manager meetings, send out EFSA Updates and have set up this VAT web advice link, which is very user friendly.

Eggars New

Alan Rolfe has assisted efficiently on any VAT queries, with clear and concise advice, especially with unusual aspects of VAT. i.e. Invoicing for Head Teacher secondment.

Amery Hill

Alan Rolfe, as with all the staff from HWB, are always extremely friendly and helpful, and provide an excellent service.

SFreemantle School

Latest Feeds

HMRC targets errors in marginal relief claimsHMRC has launched a letter campaign for companies that may have miscalculated corporation tax marginal relief on their returns. Any business receiving a letter must reply within 30 days, even if it believes the calculation on its return is correct. Ignoring the letter could potentially lead to a compliance check and potential corporation tax penalties.The campaign focuses on companies with ‘associated companies’, but they did not declare this correctly when completing their corporation tax return.To read the full article click the link in our bio#corporationtax #taxerrors #marginalrelief

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Pumpkin carving: Director Michaela Johns recently had the pleasure of attending a delightful pumpkin carving evening alongside Linda Pine from Doughty Engineering.The event was a wonderful opportunity to connect with regional businesses in a relaxed and creative setting at the luxury hotel @chewtonglen in Hampshire.Sincere thanks to the @easolent for such warm hospitality and for hosting such a memorable and engaging experience.The Executive Association Solent is an independent organisation whose objective is to provide a forum in which business relationships can be cemented and opportunities explored.As one of the leading firms of Chartered Accountants in Southampton, HWB is renowned as quality business advisers with a commercial edge, particularly with regard to SMEs.Contact us today for all your accountancy and business advisory needs:
T: 023 8046 1200
E: admin@hwb-accountants.com

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HMRC interest rates fall, following base rate cut
On 7 August 2025, The Bank of England reduced its base rate from 4.25% to 4.00%, this will mean HMRC interest rates which are directly linked to the base rate have also decreased.HMRC set the interest rate for the late payment of most taxes including, Income Tax, Capital Gains Tax, VAT and Corporation Tax at 4.0% above the base rate. This will mean that from 27 August 2025, the late payment interest percentage fell from 8.25% to 8.00%.The interest rate for the repayment of these taxes is most of the time based on 1.00% less than the base rate. From 27 August 2025 onwards the interest repayable on these taxes decreased from 3.25% to 3.00%.Read the full article by clicking the link in our bio#interestrates #baseratecuts

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Good to talk: We had such a nice afternoon at The Business Networking Hampshire lunch @broadstonegolf.Associate director Matt Cooper found that the talk provided much food for thought.Thank you to @totalbusinessnetwork for hosting.As one of the leading firms of Chartered Accountants in Southampton, HWB is renowned as quality business advisers with a commercial edge, particularly with regard to SMEs.Contact us today for all your accountancy and business advisory needs:
T: 023 8046 1200
E: admin@hwb-accountants.com

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Companies House identity verification: new legal requirements from 18 November 2025
From 18 November 2025, significant changes will be introduced under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023.  All UK company directors, LLP members, and persons with significant control (PSCs) will be required to verify their identity with Companies House.Read the full article by clicking the link in our bio

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Charity Golf Day: Golf fun for a great causeDirector James Flood and Associate director Tom Young took part in the Trusolv Charity Golf Day at Camberley heath which was in support of @theknightsfoundation.A big congratulations to @millsgoodlet , MD of Winchester Motor Company, who got a hole in one on the par three second holeTheir team came second in the overall team event with a score of 108 points.Big thank you to @Trusolv, the Southampton-based Insolvency practice, for hosting! It is always great to support such an incredible charity.The Knights Foundation provides support, sensory experiences, holidays and equipment to disabled children, seriously ill children and their families.As specialist charity accountants, we at HWB support a range of clients range from new start-up charities to centuries-old, from clubs and membership organisations to social enterprises.Contact us today for all your accountancy and business advisory needs:
T: 023 8046 1200
E: admin@hwb-accountants.com

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Making tax digital – what’s new?HMRC are pushing ahead with the implementation of Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income Tax, set to commence from 6 April 2026.If you are an individual who receives income from a trade or property business, you are likely to be mandated at some point over the next few years if your combined sales from property businesses and self employment (‘qualifying income’) exceeds £20,000. The first group of individuals to be mandated, from 6 April 2026, will be those who had qualifying income in excess of £50,000 in the 2024/25 tax year.Read the full article by clicking the link in our bio#Makingtaxdigital #MTD

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Halloween quiz: A team from HWB recently attended the @Quantuma Halloween Quiz.The event, @stmarys_stadium , had amusing and puzzling Halloween themed questions.Accounts & Audit Business Advisor Will Churcher, pictured, was a willing representative for the team and showcased two of the decorated pumpkin designs they had all completed earlier in front of the judge.Thank you to Quantuma for hosting! .As specialist charity accountants, we at HWB support a range of clients range from new start-up charities to centuries-old, from clubs and membership organisations to social enterprises.Contact us today for all your accountancy and business advisory needs:
T: 023 8046 1200
E: admin@hwb-accountants.com
To access our website click the link in our bio.

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