Accountant in Dundee
Dundee’s economy is defined by a rare mix of life sciences, video games development, and renewable energy, with a growing Waterfront district drawing new investment.
Photo: Radu Daniel ( MRD ) / Pexels
Why we work with Dundee businesses
Dundee’s business base spans from university spin outs in life sciences to established tech employers like NCR Corporation and Rockstar Dundee. We work with limited company directors and small business owners across the City Centre, Waterfront, and West End, offering remote first support with in person meetings on request. Our ICAEW qualification gives directors and contractors confidence that corporation tax, VAT, and payroll are handled to audit standard, whether they are in Lochee or St Andrews.
The Dundee business scene
Dundee’s economy has shifted markedly from its industrial past toward knowledge intensive sectors. The University of Dundee anchors a life sciences cluster that includes the Dundee Drug Discovery Unit and numerous biotech spin outs. Alongside this, video games and tech have become a signature sector, with Rockstar Dundee and a growing indie studio scene centred in the Waterfront and West End. DC Thomson remains a significant local employer, while NHS Tayside drives demand in healthcare and related services. The city’s renewable energy ambitions, tied to offshore wind and tidal projects in the Tay estuary, add a further layer of activity. Small businesses in professional services, hospitality, and construction serve a population of 148,000 and the student body. The City Centre and Waterfront districts are seeing new office and residential development, while Lochee retains a strong manufacturing and retail base. This mix means our clients range from a two person tech contractor in the West End to a 30 employee biotech firm in the City Centre.
Business hubs in Dundee
City Centre · Waterfront · West End · Lochee
How Dundee's economic mix shapes our service emphasis
Dundee’s sector mix shapes how we organise our services. A biotech spin out from the University of Dundee often needs R&D tax credit preparation and capital allowances on lab equipment, so we prioritise technical knowledge of HMRC’s R&D rules and the specific costs that qualify in life sciences. A video games studio in the Waterfront, by contrast, typically comes to us for payroll for a mix of permanent staff and freelance contractors, plus VAT planning on digital sales across multiple territories. We have also handled corporation tax compliance for a renewable energy consultancy based in the West End that needed advice on the structure of a community energy project. NCR Corporation’s presence in the city means we see senior contractors who require tailored IR35 reviews and personal tax planning. For a healthcare practice serving NHS Tayside, we focus on VAT exemption rules and partnership tax returns. The common thread is that our Dundee clients expect an accountant who understands their specific revenue model, not a generic service. That is why we tailor our approach to each sector’s compliance and planning needs.
Anchor employers in Dundee
NCR Corporation · DC Thomson · Rockstar Dundee · University of Dundee · NHS Tayside
What we do for Dundee 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.
Dundee case study (anonymised)
£32,000 R&D claim recovered on lab equipment and consumables
8 employee biotech spin out
A Dundee based biotech spin out from the University of Dundee approached us after its first year of trading. The company had developed a novel assay platform and spent heavily on lab consumables, equipment calibration, and staff time on experimentation. The directors were unsure which costs qualified for R&D tax relief and had not filed a claim. We reviewed their project records, identified qualifying expenditure on direct activities and supporting costs, and prepared a detailed technical narrative. The claim yielded £32,000 in corporation tax reduction and a payable credit of £8,400. We also advised on capital allowances for the lab fit out in their Waterfront premises, saving a further £4,200. The directors now use our quarterly review process to track R&D spend in real time.
Frequently asked questions from Dundee
- Do you have an office in Dundee?
- We operate on a remote first model but meet clients in person at their premises or a co working space in the City Centre or Waterfront. For Dundee based directors and contractors, we find video calls cover most routine work, with face to face meetings arranged for annual reviews or complex planning.
- How do you handle R&D tax credits for a biotech company in Dundee?
- We prepare the full claim, including the technical narrative and cost breakdown, and submit it to HMRC. For Dundee biotech clients, we focus on qualifying costs such as lab consumables, staff time on experimentation, and subcontractor fees. We also review whether the company can claim the payable credit if it is loss making.
- What is your typical fee for a limited company director in Dundee?
- Our fees start at £120 per month for a basic limited company with one director, covering corporation tax, VAT, and payroll. The exact fee depends on transaction volume and whether you need R&D claims or exit planning. We provide a fixed fee quote after a short call.
- Can you help a video games contractor switching from an umbrella company to a limited company?
- Yes. We handle the company formation, VAT registration, and IR35 review. For Dundee based contractors working with Rockstar Dundee or other studios, we also advise on the flat rate VAT scheme and dividend versus salary planning. The switch typically takes two to three weeks.
Speak to an accountant in Dundee
Book a free 30-minute call. We will talk through your situation and give you clear, practical recommendations. No jargon, no obligation.