Accountancy, Tax, VAT & Payroll Services in Torbay

IAW Accountancy Services has helped businesses and individuals across Torbay since 1981. From our offices in Paignton and Brixham, we look after sole traders, partnerships, limited companies and landlords, handling everything from bookkeeping and year-end accounts to tax, VAT and payroll. One family-run practice, one point of contact, and advice in plain English.

Accountancy & Bookkeeping

Accurate books are the foundation of every good business decision. We can take your bookkeeping off your hands completely, or support you with cloud software such as QuickBooks or Xero. We prepare your year-end accounts for HMRC and Companies House and walk you through what the numbers mean.

✎ Monthly or quarterly bookkeeping

✎ Year-end accounts for sole traders, partnerships and limited companies

✎ Management accounts, forecasts and budgets

✎ Cloud accounting setup and training

Gold square with white rising bar chart and upward arrow, symbolizing growth or financial increase

We make the complex simple

We offer full tax, bookkeeping and accounting services, so you can focus on everything else in your business. With our expertise and know-how, we'll help you save money, reduce stress, and focus on your real priorities.

We prepare and file tax returns on time and look for every legitimate way to reduce your tax bill.

  • Self assessment tax returns for the self-employed, landlords, company directors and higher earners (online deadline: 31 January)
  • Corporation tax returns and tax planning for limited companies
  • Partnership and LLP tax returns
  • Capital gains tax on property and business sales
  • Making Tax Digital for Income Tax: sole traders and landlords with qualifying income over £50,000 must keep digital records and send quarterly updates from April 2026, with the threshold falling to £30,000 in April 2027 and £20,000 in April 2028. We'll get you ready.

Personal & Corporate Tax

Whether you're approaching the VAT registration threshold (currently £90,000 of taxable turnover) or already registered, we make VAT simple.

  • VAT registration and choosing the right scheme (standard, flat rate or cash accounting)
  • Making Tax Digital-compliant VAT returns
  • VAT planning and HMRC correspondence

VAT Services

Paying your team correctly and on time is essential. We run payroll for businesses of all sizes, from a single director to a full workforce.

  • Weekly, fortnightly or monthly payroll
  • Payslips, RTI submissions to HMRC and P60s
  • Workplace pension auto-enrolment and re-enrolment
  • Starters, leavers, statutory pay and P11Ds

Payroll Services

Beyond compliance, we help you plan for the future. We can help you:



  • Choose the right business structure (sole trader, partnership, LLP or limited company)
  • Form a company and handle Companies House filings
  • Review profitability and cash flow
  • Plan for growth, buying or selling a business, restructuring or retirement

Business Advice & Support

Who We Work With

Sole traders and freelancers

Partnerships and LLPs

Limited companies and their directors

Landlords and property investors

Local trades, hospitality, retail and tourism businesses across Torbay

Why Choose IAW Accountancy?

Family-run since 1981

 with more than 70 years of combined experience

Two local office

 in Paignton and Brixham

A personal service

 You'll deal with the same people every year

Proactive advice

 not just compliance

Clear fees

 agreed up front

Book a Free Consultation

Call our Paignton office on 01803 470011 or our Brixham office on 01803 855758, or email paignton@iawaccountancy.co.uk. We'll arrange a free, no-obligation chat about what you need.

Contact us

Accountancy Services FAQs

  • How much does an accountant cost in Paignton?

    Fees depend on the size of your business and the services you need. We agree a clear fee up front before any work starts

  • Do I need an accountant as a sole trader?

    It isn't a legal requirement, but an accountant can save you time, make sure you claim all allowable expenses and keep you compliant, especially with Making Tax Digital for Income Tax being introduced from April 2026.

  • When is the self assessment deadline?

    Online self assessment tax returns for the previous tax year must be filed, and any tax paid, by 31 January. Paper returns are due by 31 October.

  • When do I need to register for VAT?

    You must register for VAT if your taxable turnover goes over £90,000 in a rolling 12-month period, or if you expect it to in the next 30 days. You can also register voluntarily.

  • What is Making Tax Digital for Income Tax?

    It's HMRC's requirement for sole traders and landlords to keep digital records and send quarterly updates. It applies from April 2026 for qualifying income over £50,000, from April 2027 over £30,000 and from April 2028 over £20,000.

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  • Can you help me switch from my current accountant?

    Yes. Switching is simple. We contact your previous accountant for the information we need, so the handover is smooth for you.

  • Do you work with clients outside Torbay?

    Yes. Most of our clients are in Paignton, Brixham and Torquay, but we also work with businesses across Devon and further afield.

  • Which accounting software do you use?

    We work with QuickBooks, Xero and Sage, and can help you choose and set up the right software