Trust Ledger Accounting LtdAccountant for engineering contractors
A contractor accountant for engineers with a limited company, from £79 + VAT a month
Trust Ledger Accounting works with engineers who contract through their own limited company, including mechanical, electrical, civil, structural, process, design and commissioning engineers. For a fixed monthly fee from £79 + VAT, you get FreeAgent, your annual accounts, Corporation Tax return and Self Assessment, and a MAAT-qualified accountant who answers questions within 1 working day.
We are based in Salford Quays, Greater Manchester, and work online, which suits contractors who spend the week on site or working away. Send a receipt from your phone, ask a question by WhatsApp, and leave the filing to us.
| Monthly fee | Starter £79, Standard £119 with VAT returns and payroll, Complete £150, each + VAT |
|---|---|
| Included in every package | FreeAgent, annual accounts, CT600 and one director's Self Assessment |
| How we work | Entirely online, by email, phone and WhatsApp. No meetings needed. |
| Contract | Monthly rolling, 30 days' notice, no set-up fee |
What engineering contractors usually ask us
- Can I claim travel and digs? Mileage, fares and accommodation when you work at a client's site or away from home, and when the rules stop you claiming
- What about tools and kit? Tools, test equipment, protective clothing, a laptop and design software bought for the business
- Can the company pay for my tickets and memberships? Safety cards, certification, training courses and professional institution fees
- How should I pay myself? How to split what you take between salary and dividends, and how to cover the gap between one contract and the next
- Do I need to register for VAT? When you must, and whether the Flat Rate Scheme helps or hurts
- Am I inside or outside IR35? Who makes the decision, and what each outcome means for your tax and take-home pay
Agency contracts and IR35
Many engineering contracts run through an agency to a large end client. In that set-up it is usually the end client that decides whether the contract is inside or outside IR35, and the agency that pays your company.
- Outside IR35. Your company is paid in full, pays Corporation Tax on its profit, and you take a salary and dividends
- Inside IR35. Income Tax and National Insurance are taken off before your company is paid, and we record that income so it is not taxed a second time
- A mix across the year. One contract inside and the next outside is common, and the accounts have to keep the two apart
Our plain-English guide to IR35 explains who decides and which records to keep. We do not carry out formal contract reviews, and can point you to a specialist if you need one.
Working away and working overseas
Site work, shutdowns and commissioning jobs often mean weeks away from home, and sometimes abroad. Keep the contract, your travel records and your receipts together in FreeAgent as you go. A contract overseas can change how VAT applies to your invoices, and a long spell abroad can affect your personal tax, so tell us before you start and we will say whether you need specialist advice.
Figures contractors ask about
| Item | Current figure |
|---|---|
| Corporation Tax | 19% on profits of £50,000 or less, 25% above £250,000, marginal relief in between |
| Dividend allowance | £500 a year |
| Dividend tax rates, 2026 to 2027 | 10.75% basic rate, 35.75% higher rate, 39.35% additional rate |
| VAT registration threshold | Taxable turnover over £90,000 in 12 months |
| Flat Rate Scheme, limited cost business | 16.5% of VAT-inclusive turnover |
Sources: GOV.UK pages on Corporation Tax rates, tax on dividends and the VAT Flat Rate Scheme.
What is included
- A full FreeAgent subscription, with bank feeds, invoicing and receipt capture from your phone
- Year-end company accounts and Corporation Tax return, filed for you
- Your own Self Assessment return
- Quarterly VAT returns and payroll on the Standard and Complete packages
- Answers from a MAAT-qualified accountant, by email on Starter and by phone as well on Complete
Starting out, or switching accountant
If you are leaving a permanent role to contract, we explain what a new company has to file and when. Our guide to first-year deadlines for a new limited company sets out the dates. If you already have an accountant, switching is free: we contact them for the handover and bring across your opening balances.
See the pricing page for full details, or our wider page for contractors and freelancers.
Figures checked against GOV.UK and last updated on .
Enquire about accounting for engineering contractors
Common questions
How much does a contractor accountant cost for an engineer?
Our packages for engineering contractors with a limited company start at £79 + VAT a month, including FreeAgent, annual accounts, the Corporation Tax return and one director's Self Assessment. With VAT returns and payroll it is £119 + VAT a month.
Can I claim travel and accommodation when I work away at a client's site?
Often, yes, when the site is a temporary workplace for you. The rules change for long assignments at one site and for contracts inside IR35, so we check each contract rather than assume.
Can my company pay for professional memberships, safety cards and training?
Usually, yes, where they are needed for the work your company does. We check each cost is treated correctly in your accounts.
Who decides whether my engineering contract is inside IR35?
If the end client is a public sector body or a medium or large business, the client decides and must tell you its decision and reasons. If the end client is a small business, your own company decides.
I contract through an agency. Does that change what my company files?
No. Your company invoices the agency instead of the end client, but it still files accounts, a Corporation Tax return and a confirmation statement in the same way.
Do you work with engineers outside Greater Manchester?
Yes. We are based in Salford Quays, Greater Manchester, and work with engineering contractors across the UK entirely online.