Accountant in Cambridge
Cambridge is the heart of Silicon Fen, a global hub for tech, biotech and research where rapid-growth businesses need more than a compliance accountant.
Photo: Ernie Marquez / Pexels
Why we work with Cambridge businesses
Cambridge businesses operate at the intersection of deep science and commercial ambition. From a biotech spinout on the Science Park to a software firm in Cherry Hinton, they need an accountant who understands R&D tax credits, EMI schemes and international tax. We combine ICAEW rigour with a remote first service, meeting clients in person at their offices or at a City Centre coffee shop when needed. Our focus is on the numbers that fund the next round.
The Cambridge business scene
Cambridge is defined by its university and the cluster of knowledge intensive industries that surround it. Arm Holdings, AstraZeneca and Microsoft Research anchor a dense network of spinouts, scaleups and professional service firms. The Cambridge Science Park alone hosts hundreds of tech and life science companies, while the City Centre and Newnham are home to publishing houses, consultancies and the university itself. Biotech and pharma firms dominate the southern arc from Addenbrooke's to the Biomedical Campus, and the software sector is spread across Cherry Hinton and the northern business parks. The result is a high margin, high complexity economy where tax structuring and grant funding are as important as bookkeeping. Population around 145,000, but the economic footprint is national.
Business hubs in Cambridge
City Centre · Cambridge Science Park · Cherry Hinton · Newnham
How Cambridge's economic mix shapes our service emphasis
Our service mix in Cambridge is shaped by the local dominance of tech and life sciences. A biotech firm on the Science Park typically needs R&D claim preparation for clinical trials and process development, plus advice on the Patent Box regime. A software company in Cherry Hinton might come to us for EMI scheme setup and international VAT on digital services. We also work with professional service firms in the City Centre who need partner tax planning and with university spinouts requiring pre revenue corporation tax and share scheme advice. AstraZeneca's Cambridge HQ has created a supply chain of contract research organisations and lab service providers, many of which need capital allowances advice on fit outs. Our ICAEW training means we handle the technical detail, from R&D thresholds to HMRC enquiry defence, without the jargon. The local economy demands precision, not generalisations.
Anchor employers in Cambridge
Arm Holdings · AstraZeneca (Cambridge HQ) · Microsoft Research · University of Cambridge · Cambridge University Press
What we do for Cambridge businesses
Tax planning
Salary and dividend extraction, corporation tax, R&D credits, BADR planning.
Management accounts
Monthly P&L, cash flow forecasting, KPI dashboards.
Payroll & PAYE
Director payroll, employee payroll, P11D benefits, RTI submissions.
Incorporation & structure
Sole trader to limited, holding companies, alphabet shares.
MTD & VAT
Making Tax Digital ITSA and VAT compliance, scheme selection.
Exit planning
BADR, MBOs, earn-outs, goodwill valuation, due diligence support.
Cambridge case study (anonymised)
£47,200 R&D tax credit recovered on preclinical development
15 employee biotech spinout
A Cambridge biotech spinout based on the Science Park had developed a novel assay platform but had not filed any R&D claims, assuming their work was too early stage. They came to us with three years of accounts and a lab notebook. We identified qualifying expenditure on consumables, externally provided workers and software licences, and prepared a detailed technical narrative compliant with HMRC guidelines. The first claim returned £47,200 in cash, which they used to fund a second round of preclinical trials. We also advised on the timing of their first patent filing to align with the Patent Box election. The directors said the process clarified what they should be tracking monthly.
Frequently asked questions from Cambridge
- Do you have an office in Cambridge?
- We operate remote first, so we do not maintain a permanent Cambridge office. We meet clients in person at their premises on the Science Park, in Cherry Hinton or at a City Centre venue when required. For most work, video calls and secure document sharing are faster and more efficient.
- I run a software company in Cherry Hinton. Do you handle R&D claims for software development?
- Yes. Software development is one of our most common R&D claim areas in Cambridge. We work with HMRC's updated guidance on computational algorithms, iterative testing and cloud based development. We will review your project records and prepare a claim that stands up to enquiry.
- How do you charge for a limited company with two directors?
- Our fixed fee for a straightforward limited company with two directors starts at around £1,800 per year, covering year end accounts, corporation tax and personal tax returns. We quote firmly after a brief scoping call. No hidden charges for standard queries.
- I am a University of Cambridge spinout. Can you help with share schemes and EMI?
- Yes. We regularly advise spinouts on EMI option schemes, share valuation and the interaction with HMRC's enterprise management incentives. We also handle the corporation tax filings for share based remuneration. A free initial call can clarify your structure.
Speak to an accountant in Cambridge
Book a free 30-minute call. We will talk through your situation and give you clear, practical recommendations. No jargon, no obligation.