CIS bookkeeping for subcontractors

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

CIS Bookkeeping for Subcontractors, done properly

I handle your CIS records, deduction tracking and monthly returns personally, so every number is right and every deadline is met.

Fixed fees, same-day responses, and plain English from the first call onwards.

★★★★★Google Review

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

Sally Radford · verified client
CIS bookkeeping for subcontractors handled by AAT qualified accountant Luke Jackson
7+ years of practice experience
AAT Level 4 qualified (FMAAT)
5/5 star rating on Google
Same-day responses, always
QuickBooks ProAdvisor and FreeAgent partner

Is your CIS bookkeeping up to date?

Answer five quick questions and get a clear picture of where your records stand right now.

WHAT I DO

What I handle on your behalf

From verifying subcontractors with HMRC to filing your monthly returns, I take the CIS admin off your plate entirely.

01

CIS Record Keeping and Deduction Tracking

I maintain accurate records of the gross amount invoiced by each subcontractor, the correct CIS deduction applied, and the labour and materials split. HMRC requires these records to be kept for at least three years, and I make sure yours are always accessible and audit-ready. Getting the labour versus materials split wrong is one of the most common CIS errors, and one I watch closely for every payment.

Core CIS compliance
02

Monthly CIS Returns

CIS returns are due every month, even if you made no payments to subcontractors that month. I submit these on time, every time, including nil returns where required. Missing a monthly return can trigger HMRC penalties, so I keep this running in the background without you needing to think about it.

Filed on time, every month
03

Cloud Accounting Setup for CIS

I set up and manage your cloud accounting software, whether that is QuickBooks, FreeAgent, Xero or Sage, to handle CIS correctly from day one. That means deductions are calculated automatically, invoices are categorised properly, and your records are always current. You get a clear view of your finances without having to learn the software yourself.

QuickBooks ProAdvisor and FreeAgent partner
WHY IT WORKS

Why clients come back every year

CIS bookkeeping has specific rules that catch a lot of trades businesses out, and working with someone who knows those rules personally makes a real difference.

You deal with me personally, every time

There are no junior staff here and no handoffs to someone who does not know your account. When you message me with a question about a subcontractor deduction or a new HMRC letter, I answer it myself, usually the same day. That consistency matters when CIS questions come up at short notice, like when you need to verify a new subbie on a Monday morning.

Fixed fees, no surprises

You know what you are paying before we start. There are no hourly rates, no invoices for quick questions, and no end-of-year bill you were not expecting. CIS bookkeeping has a predictable workload, so a fixed monthly fee makes sense for both sides.

Plain English, no jargon

CIS has its own terminology and it can feel opaque if nobody explains it clearly. I tell you exactly what each deduction means, why a rate has changed, or what a compliance letter is actually asking, in plain language. You should understand your own finances, and I make sure you do.

FROM CLIENTS I WORK WITH

What clients say

★★★★★

“I had been deducting CIS from my subbies but had no idea if I was doing it right. Luke went through everything, explained the labour and materials split properly, and got my records sorted. I feel a lot more confident now.”

D.B.
Electrical Subcontractor
★★★★★

“Taking on subcontractors for the first time was stressful. Luke set up my CIS bookkeeping from scratch, told me exactly what to track each month, and now I know every return goes in on time without me having to worry about it.”

T.H.
Plastering Contractor
★★★★★

“My records were in a real state when I came to Luke. He worked through everything without making me feel stupid about it, gave me a fixed price, and has been handling my CIS returns ever since.”

M.P.
Sole Trader Builder
GETTING STARTED

How it works

Getting your CIS bookkeeping sorted is a straightforward process, and I walk you through every step.

01

Book a free call

We have a short call where I ask about your current setup, how many subcontractors you are paying, and what records you have so far. No preparation needed on your part. I just need to understand where you are starting from.

02

I review what you have

If you have existing records, I look through them and flag anything that needs correcting. If you are starting from scratch, I tell you exactly what we need to put in place. Either way, you get a clear picture of your CIS position before we go any further.

03

I set up your bookkeeping

I configure your cloud accounting software to handle CIS correctly, set up the right deduction rates, and make sure the labour and materials split is being recorded properly. From this point, your monthly records run cleanly and consistently.

04

Ongoing monthly support

I handle your monthly CIS returns, keep your records up to date, and answer any questions that come up along the way. You have direct access to me, and I respond the same day. No waiting, no chasing, no being passed around.

COMMON QUESTIONS

Common questions

At its core, CIS bookkeeping means keeping accurate records of every payment you make to a subcontractor, the gross amount invoiced, any CIS deduction applied, and the split between labour and materials. You also need to verify each subcontractor with HMRC before their first payment, apply the correct deduction rate, and file a monthly return. It is not complicated once the systems are in place, but every step needs to be done correctly or HMRC will notice.
This is more common than you might think, and it is fixable. The first thing I do is look at what you have and work out what is missing. HMRC requires CIS records to be kept for at least three years after the end of the tax year they relate to, so there is time to reconstruct records where possible. The important thing is not to keep hoping the problem goes away, because HMRC can issue fines of up to three thousand pounds for failure to produce records when asked.
CIS bookkeeping focuses on the day-to-day recording of transactions, monthly returns and making sure deductions are calculated correctly. CIS accounting takes a broader view and includes your annual accounts, tax return, and tax planning around CIS deductions you may be able to offset. I handle both, so whether you are a sole trader filing a Self Assessment or a limited company, I cover the full picture.
That depends on their CIS registration status. Verified subcontractors with gross payment status have no deduction applied. Those registered under CIS have 20 percent deducted from their labour costs. Unverified subcontractors are subject to a 30 percent deduction. Applying the wrong rate is one of the most common compliance mistakes I see, and it is exactly the kind of thing that gets picked up in an HMRC compliance check. I verify every subcontractor before their first payment and make sure the right rate is applied every time.