Accountant in Crawley
Crawley’s economy is anchored by Gatwick Airport and a dense cluster of aviation, logistics and tech firms. We help local business owners navigate corporation tax, VAT and payroll without the overhead of a high-street office.
Photo: GMB VISUALS / Pexels
Why we work with Crawley businesses
Crawley’s business base is unusually concentrated around Manor Royal and the Town Centre, with many firms feeding off Gatwick’s supply chain. We work remotely first, meeting directors at their premises or a Tilgate coffee shop when needed. Our ICAEW qualification gives local contractors and manufacturers confidence that their R&D claims and VAT returns are handled correctly. The mix of logistics operators and tech startups here demands a practical, no-nonsense approach to tax planning and compliance.
The Crawley business scene
Crawley’s economy revolves around Gatwick Airport, which directly employs thousands and supports a deep logistics corridor through Manor Royal. Virgin Atlantic’s HQ sits in the town, alongside Thales UK’s Crawley site and Doosan Babcock’s engineering base. The public sector is a steady employer through Crawley Borough Council. Tech firms are growing in Three Bridges and the Town Centre, often spun out from aviation or defence contracts. Manufacturing remains present in Tilgate and Manor Royal, with firms producing precision components and aerospace parts. The local business mix is unusually reliant on a single anchor employer, which creates both opportunities and risks for smaller suppliers. Crawley’s population of 118,000 supports a broad retail and professional services sector, but the real economic engine is the airport and its surrounding industrial estates.
Business hubs in Crawley
Town Centre · Three Bridges · Manor Royal · Tilgate
How Crawley's economic mix shapes our service emphasis
Aviation and logistics dominate Crawley, so our work often focuses on capital allowances for hangar fit-outs, warehouse racking and vehicle fleets. A Gatwick-based freight forwarder might claim VAT recovery on cross-border services, while a Thales UK subcontractor in Manor Royal typically needs R&D claim preparation for software or defence engineering work. Manufacturing firms in Tilgate come to us for enhanced capital allowances on plant and machinery, and we regularly handle payroll for logistics operators with shift workers. Tech startups in Three Bridges often need help structuring share schemes and preparing for exit. The public sector supply chain here is tight: a contractor working for Crawley Borough Council may need help with IR35 status or CIS deductions. Our service emphasis is shaped by this local mix: we spend more time on capital allowances, R&D credits and VAT than a generalist firm in a retail-heavy town would.
Anchor employers in Crawley
Gatwick Airport (London Gatwick) · Virgin Atlantic HQ · Thales UK Crawley · Doosan Babcock · Crawley Borough Council
What we do for Crawley 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.
Crawley case study (anonymised)
£14,720 VAT recovery on cross-border freight services
15-employee logistics operator
A Manor Royal logistics firm handling airfreight from Gatwick came to us with a messy VAT position. They had been paying output VAT on the full invoice value of international shipments, missing the zero-rating available for direct cross-border transport. We reviewed their contracts and shipment records over two quarters, identified £14,720 in overpaid VAT, and submitted a voluntary disclosure to HMRC. We also restructured their invoicing process so future shipments are correctly zero-rated. The director said the cash recovery covered three months of warehouse rent. The work took six weeks from initial review to submission.
Frequently asked questions from Crawley
- Do you have an office in Crawley?
- We operate remotely first, but we meet clients in Crawley regularly at their premises in Manor Royal, Three Bridges or the Town Centre. We can arrange a meeting room in Tilgate if needed.
- How do you handle R&D claims for Crawley tech firms?
- We prepare the technical narrative and cost breakdown in house, using your project records and payroll data. Thales UK subcontractors and Three Bridges software firms are typical clients. We charge a fixed fee, not a percentage of the claim.
- What is your typical fee for a limited company in Crawley?
- Annual accounts, corporation tax and personal tax returns for a director owned company start at £1,200 plus VAT. VAT and payroll are extra. We quote fixed fees upfront with no hidden charges.
- Can you help with VAT on goods moving through Gatwick?
- Yes. We handle cross-border VAT, duty deferment and partial exemption calculations for logistics firms and freight forwarders in Manor Royal. We can review your current VAT position and identify recovery opportunities.
Speak to an accountant in Crawley
Book a free 30-minute call. We will talk through your situation and give you clear, practical recommendations. No jargon, no obligation.