Experience the difference
Assisting your academy be it a school or college with specialist VAT advice
Leading Accountants for Academies, Academy VAT
Dedicated information for Academy Schools and Colleges
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.
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
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.
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.
Alan Rolfe, as with all the staff from HWB, are always extremely friendly and helpful, and provide an excellent service.
Latest Feeds
HWB are pleased to share that Lyndon Howes has been promoted to Assistant Tax Compliance Manager.
The promotion comes as HMRC prepares to extend its #Makingtaxdigital (MTD) scheme to cover self-employed and private rental income from April 2026.
Southampton-born Lyndon, who was previously a Tax Senior, said the forthcoming MTD changes will impact individuals who are self-employed or rely on proceeds from private rent and have a qualifying income over £50,000.
“We anticipate quite a few clients will be affected,” he said. “They will have to make sure they are registered for MTD and start reporting income on electronic quarterly returns with a final end-of-year submission after the fourth quarter.
“The aim of MTD is to give HMRC more of a real-time view of tax liability with those registered being required to use compatible software.”
Lyndon joined HWB straight from Southampton’s Taunton’s College, since renamed @rt6thformcollege and initially worked in both tax and payroll.
He is now a full-time member of the eleven-strong tax department which handles a variety of compliance and advisory activities for clients including individuals, trusts, partnerships and limited companies.
On his promotion, Lyndon said: “It’s great news, lovely to be recognised and have the career progression. As always, I aim to play my part and help the team flourish.”
Lyndon reports to Tax Compliance Manager Martin Back, who said: “Lyndon deserves the recognition for his hard work. He is an experienced tax professional and well-liked by our clients and team.
“Part of his new role will include responding to new client queries and helping to oversee the MTD for IT process, which I know he will do excellently.”
As well as Lyndon’s promotion, the team is celebrating career success for colleagues George Vass and Danny Hockin who have both passed recent exams set by the Association of Taxation Technicians.
The pair are now progressing to achieve the coveted status of Chartered Tax Adviser, the UK’s highest tax qualification, via the Chartered Institute of Taxation.
Photo: Lyndon, George and Danny
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Devolution in Hampshire and the Solent
The Government continues to progress plans to create a Mayoral Combined County Authority (MCCA) for Hampshire and the Solent. This would transfer certain powers and funding from central government to a new regional body.
Read the full article by clicking the link in our bio.
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Spring Forecast Scheduled for 3 March 2026
The Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, has requested the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) to publish an economic and fiscal forecast on 3 March 2026. This will be accompanied by a statement to Parliament.
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VAT – retailers and third-party contractors
We are aware that HMRC is challenging retailers that supply flooring, kitchens, and bathrooms where the retailer refers the customer to third party contractors for fitting services.
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VAT Flat Rate Scheme: could it work for you?
If you are a small VAT-registered business, how you calculate your VAT could make a real difference to your cash flow and the time you spend keeping records.
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Introducing FYI Collaborate - a better way to work with us
We’re pleased to let you know that from January 2026, HWB has upgraded how we share documents with clients. Our previous ODS client portal has now been replaced with FYI Collaborate. If you still have documents stored on the ODS portal, please ensure you download anything you need by 31 March 2026, after which the portal will be closed.
Read the full article by clicking the link in our bio.
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Happy Pancake Day from all of us at HWB!
#pancakeday
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Residence NIL rate band
If you`re looking for an excellent performance with your accountancy, tax or business advisory needs, our team at HWB is here to help.
T: 023 8046 1200 E: [email protected]
#Inheritancetax
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