Accountant in Paignton
Paignton’s economy is anchored by tourism, retail, and a growing healthcare sector, with Torbay Hospital and Paignton Zoo as major local employers.
Photo: AshVdos BD / Pexels
Why we work with Paignton businesses
Paignton businesses range from seasonal hospitality operators on the seafront to established manufacturers in Marldon. We serve them from a remote-first base, meeting clients in the Town Centre or Preston as needed. The mix of tourism, retail, and public sector work demands a generalist approach: corporation tax for a B&B, VAT for a gift shop, payroll for a care home. Our ICAEW qualification gives local directors confidence that the numbers are right, whether they are filing quarterly or planning an exit.
The Paignton business scene
Paignton’s business scene is shaped by its coastal location and a population of around 50,000. Tourism and hospitality dominate the Town Centre and Goodrington, with attractions such as Quaywest Waterpark and Paignton Zoo drawing visitors seasonally. Retail is concentrated along the high street, while healthcare is a major employer thanks to Torbay Hospital in neighbouring Torquay. Manufacturing remains present in pockets like Marldon, and Torbay Council provides a steady public sector anchor. The local economy is distinctive for its reliance on seasonal spending, which creates cashflow volatility for many small businesses. That volatility drives demand for reliable bookkeeping, VAT planning, and payroll management across the year.
Business hubs in Paignton
Town Centre · Preston · Goodrington · Marldon
How Paignton's economic mix shapes our service emphasis
The local sector mix shapes how we prioritise services for Paignton clients. A hotel or B&B in Goodrington often needs help with VAT partial exemption on mixed supplies (accommodation versus food and drink). A retail shop in the Town Centre might come to us for payroll set up as they take on seasonal staff. Healthcare contractors linked to Torbay Hospital frequently require IR35 reviews and limited company accounting. Manufacturers in Marldon, such as those in precision engineering, are candidates for R&D tax credits on process improvements. Public sector subcontractors working with Torbay Council often need assistance with CIS returns and year end filings. Because Paignton has no single dominant industry, we keep a broad service line: corporation tax, VAT, payroll, R&D credits, and exit planning are all in regular demand. That breadth is the point. A local business gets one accountant who understands the full picture, not a specialist who only sees one tax type.
Anchor employers in Paignton
Paignton Zoo · Torbay Hospital (Torquay nearby) · Devonshire Park Theatre (Eastbourne legacy) · Torbay Council · Quaywest Waterpark
What we do for Paignton 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.
Paignton case study (anonymised)
£14,720 VAT recovered on mixed supply restructuring
15 employee tourism operator
A Paignton-based tourism operator running a café and self catering apartments in Goodrington came to us with a growing VAT bill and no clear split between supplies. The owner had been charging standard rate on everything, missing the reduced rate on accommodation. We reviewed their booking system, separated income streams, and restructured their VAT returns to reflect the correct partial exemption method. The result was a £14,720 recovery on overpaid VAT for the prior four years, plus ongoing savings of around £3,800 per quarter. We also set up a quarterly payroll for their 15 seasonal staff, removing the headache of manual RTI submissions. The owner now has a cleaner set of monthly management accounts and a clear view of cashflow across the quiet winter months.
Frequently asked questions from Paignton
- Do you have an office in Paignton?
- We are a remote first firm, but we meet clients in the Town Centre or Preston by arrangement. Most of our Paignton work is done online, which keeps our fees lower than a high street practice.
- My B&B has both accommodation and food sales. How is VAT handled?
- Accommodation is generally reduced rated (5%), while food and drink are standard rated (20%). We help you separate the income streams and file partial exemption returns correctly, avoiding both underpayment and penalties.
- I am a contractor working at Torbay Hospital. Do you handle IR35 reviews?
- Yes. We review your contract and working practices against HMRC’s off payroll rules, and we can prepare your year end accounts and dividends if you operate through a limited company.
- What are your fees for a small retail business in the Town Centre?
- Our fees start from around £120 per month for a basic bookkeeping and annual accounts package. We quote fixed fees upfront, so there are no surprises at year end.
Speak to an accountant in Paignton
Book a free 30-minute call. We will talk through your situation and give you clear, practical recommendations. No jargon, no obligation.