accounting for coaches

Rated 5/5 on Google★★★★★
AAT QUALIFIED ACCOUNTANT

Accounting for Coaches, Done Properly

I handle the accounts, tax and bookkeeping for coaches across the UK so you always know what you owe, what you keep and what your business is actually worth.

You deal with me directly, every time. Fixed fee. Plain English. No junior staff, no handoffs.

★★★★★Google Review

“Would 100% recommend, is always polite, professional and helpful! His knowledge has been a saving grace many times.”

Sally Radford · verified client
Luke Jackson FMAAT, accountant for coaches at Anchor Accounts and Books
7+ years in practice
AAT Level 4 qualified (FMAAT)
5/5 Google rating
Same-day responses, always
QuickBooks ProAdvisor and FreeAgent Partner

Is your coaching business financially on track?

Answer five quick questions and get a personalised next step based on where your accounts actually stand.

WHAT I DO

What I handle on your behalf

From annual accounts through to monthly bookkeeping and tax planning, I take care of the financial side of your coaching business personally.

01

Self Assessment and Annual Accounts

Whether you operate as a sole trader or through a limited company, I prepare and file your accounts and tax return accurately and on time. I work through your income sources, allowable expenses and any platform payments to make sure nothing is missed. You receive a clear summary of what you owe and when.

Sole trader and limited company
02

Bookkeeping and Cloud Accounting

I set up and manage your accounts in QuickBooks, FreeAgent, Xero or Sage so your figures are always current. Regular bookkeeping means you know your actual profit at any point in the year, not just when your tax return is due. It also keeps you compliant with Making Tax Digital requirements.

Monthly or quarterly
03

Tax Planning for Coaches

I review your income structure each year to identify where you can reduce your tax liability legally. For coaches earning above the VAT threshold, that includes checking whether registration is required and whether any exemptions apply to your training services. Sole traders approaching higher profits can also explore whether a limited company structure makes sense.

Included year-round
WHY IT WORKS

Why clients come back every year

Three things that make a practical difference when you are running a coaching business and want your finances handled properly.

You always speak to the same person

I run Anchor alone. There are no junior staff and no account managers. When you call or email, you get me. That means you never have to explain your business twice and your questions get answered by someone who actually knows your numbers.

Fixed fees with no surprises

You know the cost before we start. There are no hourly rates creeping up because you asked an extra question. Fixed fees make it easier to budget and remove the hesitation that stops people asking things they should be asking.

Fast responses when it matters

Coaching income can be irregular. A launch month looks completely different from a quiet month, and questions come up throughout the year. I respond the same day so you are never left waiting while a decision sits on hold.

FROM CLIENTS I WORK WITH

What clients say

★★★★★

“I came to Luke with income across four different platforms and receipts going back eighteen months in a folder. He sorted it without making me feel embarrassed, and I finally understand what my coaching business is actually making.”

R.M.
Business and Mindset Coach
★★★★★

“I had been doing my own self assessment for three years and knew I was missing things. Luke went through everything, found expenses I had not claimed and explained the whole thing in plain English. The fee paid for itself.”

C.T.
Health and Wellness Coach
★★★★★

“As someone who runs group programmes and one-to-one sessions, I needed an accountant who understood that my income does not look like a regular salary. Luke gets it straight away and keeps things simple.”

A.K.
Executive Coach, Limited Company
GETTING STARTED

How it works

Four straightforward steps from first contact to having your accounts handled properly.

01

Book a free call

We have a short call so I can understand your coaching setup, how your income comes in and what you need help with. No pressure and no expectation. You can bring questions you have been sitting on for months.

02

I send you a fixed fee proposal

Based on what we discussed, I send a clear written proposal covering exactly what I will handle and what it costs. No hourly rates, no ambiguity. You know the full picture before you commit to anything.

03

We get your records organised

I set up or connect your cloud accounting software and work through whatever records you have, whatever state they are in. Most coaches start with a mix of bank statements, PayPal exports and a rough spreadsheet. That is fine.

04

I handle everything from there

Once everything is set up, I take care of your bookkeeping, tax returns and any HMRC deadlines on your behalf. You get regular updates in plain English and can message me any time a question comes up.

COMMON QUESTIONS

Common questions

It depends on your profit level and circumstances. A sole trader pays income tax and Class 4 National Insurance on profits, while a limited company pays corporation tax at 19 percent. At higher profit levels, a limited company structure can reduce your overall tax bill, but it comes with additional filing requirements and costs. I look at your specific figures and give you an honest comparison, not a generic answer.
Most one-to-one coaching and mentoring services are standard rated for VAT, which means you need to register if your turnover exceeds the current threshold. Some training and vocational education services may be treated differently depending on how they are structured and delivered. If you are unsure whether your services are liable, I can review your income types and give you a clear answer.
Allowable expenses typically include software subscriptions, platform fees, home office costs, professional development, equipment used for your work and relevant marketing spend. The rules around dual-purpose items and home working can be specific, and I make sure you claim everything you are entitled to without claiming anything that would cause a problem. Missing legitimate deductions is one of the most common and costly mistakes coaches make.
Irregular income is completely normal for coaches and it does not create any accounting problems when it is tracked properly. The main thing is making sure your tax reserves are set aside as income comes in, so a big launch month does not leave you short when a payment is due. I help clients build a simple approach to this so the feast and famine cycle stops affecting their cash position.