From £44/mo

Accountants for creatives & influencers

GoForma's qualified accountants support UK creatives: YouTubers, musicians, actors, photographers, designers, and influencers. We handle self-assessment, IR35 reviews, limited company accounting, and expense management tailored to the creative industry.

Get a bespoke quote
  • 4.9 4.9 out of 5 stars. from 65 Google reviews
  • 4,000+ Free consultations booked
  • 7,000+ Tax returns filed
Talk to a real accountant
Regulated · authorised · partner-tier

Real credentials, verifiable on every register

Trusted by UK contractors, freelancers and limited-company directors since 2020.

Who we work with

Accountants for Creatives for every situation

From single-contract IT consultants to growing limited-company directors — pick the situation that fits and you'll get a qualified accountants for creative who actually knows it inside out.

YouTubers and content creators

What we cover

YouTubers and content creators

Full-time and part-time creators with AdSense, brand-deal, Patreon and merch income across multiple platforms.

  • AdSense and YouTube Partner income
  • Brand deals and sponsorships
  • Patreon, Substack and Ko-fi income
  • Equipment and studio expenses

YouTubers and content creators

Full-time and part-time creators with AdSense, brand-deal, Patreon and merch income across multiple platforms.

Influencers and social creators

What we cover

Influencers and social creators

Creators monetising Instagram, TikTok and other platforms through sponsored content, affiliate links, gifted product and brand partnerships.

  • Instagram, TikTok and X creators
  • Affiliate income and revenue shares
  • Gifted-product and barter rules
  • PR-trip and event income

Influencers and social creators

Creators monetising Instagram, TikTok and other platforms through sponsored content, affiliate links, gifted product and brand partnerships.

Musicians and producers

What we cover

Musicians and producers

Recording artists, producers, session musicians and composers with royalty, performance, teaching and sync licensing income.

  • PRS, PPL and MCPS royalties
  • Spotify, Apple and BMI/ASCAP income
  • Sync and licensing deals
  • Performance and teaching fees

Musicians and producers

Recording artists, producers, session musicians and composers with royalty, performance, teaching and sync licensing income.

Photographers and videographers

What we cover

Photographers and videographers

Photographers and videographers running their own studio or working freelance - with the kit-heavy expense profile that comes with it.

  • Wedding and event photographers
  • Commercial and editorial shoots
  • Stock-image royalties
  • Equipment capital allowances

Photographers and videographers

Photographers and videographers running their own studio or working freelance - with the kit-heavy expense profile that comes with it.

Actors and performers

What we cover

Actors and performers

Actors, voice-over artists and performers with multi-job Self Assessment, residual and royalty income, and agent commission.

  • Performance fees and residuals
  • Agent commission and professional fees
  • Equity insurance and union fees
  • Self Assessment across multiple jobs

Actors and performers

Actors, voice-over artists and performers with multi-job Self Assessment, residual and royalty income, and agent commission.

Designers and illustrators

What we cover

Designers and illustrators

Graphic designers, illustrators, web designers and other commercial creatives with freelance client and royalty income.

  • Freelance and agency clients
  • Print-on-demand royalties
  • Stock-art income
  • Studio and equipment costs

Designers and illustrators

Graphic designers, illustrators, web designers and other commercial creatives with freelance client and royalty income.

What's included

Accountants for Creatives: everything you actually get

Not just the filings — the dedicated accountant, the contract guidance, the software, and the structure that makes accountants for creatives actually work for you.

Accountants who understand creative work

Designers, illustrators, photographers, writers, filmmakers, musicians, video creators — we work with creative freelancers and small studios every day. Your dedicated accountant knows the income patterns: lumpy retainers, royalty cycles, residuals, grants, fee-for-service, equipment write-offs and studio costs.

Royalties, residuals and grant income — handled correctly

Foreign royalties (with treaty rates), PRS / MCPS / DACS payouts, ALCS distributions, Spotify / YouTube income, Arts Council grants, prize money — all categorised and taxed correctly, including the bits HMRC enquires about most. Double-tax relief claimed where it applies.

Studio costs, equipment and capital allowances

We claim every legitimate creative deduction: home-studio share of rent and utilities, kit and gear under the Annual Investment Allowance, software subscriptions, font licences, props, model releases, archive storage, even film and travel for location work — done right, the deductions add up to thousands a year.

Sole trader vs Ltd — modelled for your patterns

Many creatives are better off as sole traders early on, then move to a limited company once their income smooths out. We model both each year on your real figures and tell you which makes sense — including the IR35 implications if a big client starts looking like long-term fixed work.

FreeAgent — built for project-based creative work

FreeAgent included free, with project tracking switched on. See profitability per client or commission, mileage logged from your phone, expenses captured by photo. We review your books monthly and flag projects that are running thin so you can re-quote next time.

Plain English — we don't out-jargon you

You shouldn't have to learn accounting to run a creative practice. We translate the technical bits — VAT registration, MTD, payments on account, dividends, R&D — into plain English, and we proactively raise things you didn't know to ask about. The goal is for you to spend less time on tax, not more.

FROM £22/MO · 60-SECOND QUOTE

Get your bespoke accountants for creatives quote

Answer a few quick questions and we'll match you to the right package — with a price tailored to your business. Takes about 60 seconds.

Month-to-month, cancel any time 30-day money-back guarantee 30 days' notice
How we compare

GoForma vs the alternatives

Feature GoFormaHigh street accountantsCheap online services
Creative-specialist accountant on every return YesGeneralistGeneralist
Multi-platform income (AdSense, Patreon, Twitch, etc.) YesOften missedNo
Royalty and residual income reporting YesSometimesNo
Equipment capital allowance optimisation YesSometimesNo
IR35 review for creative contractors YesExtra feeNo
FreeAgent software included YesExtra feeVaries
Monthly rolling contract YesAnnualAnnual
30-day money-back guarantee YesNoNo
Pricing

Accounting packages for creatives

Transparent fixed fees. Most creatives start on a sole trader package. We will tell you if a limited company structure makes sense for your income level.

Lite Sole Trader

£22 per month
  • FreeAgent accounting software
  • Self Assessment tax return
  • Filing reminders and deadlines
  • Quarterly accountant discussion
See plan details

Start Sole Trader

£44 per month
  • Dedicated personal accountant
  • Unlimited bookable support
  • WhatsApp access
  • Self Assessment filing
  • FreeAgent included
See plan details
50% off first 3 months

Start Bundle

£88 per month
  • Dedicated personal accountant
  • Unlimited support
  • Year-end accounts and corporation tax
  • Director payroll
  • FreeAgent included
See plan details
How to get started

From a 20-minute call to fully looked after

From a 20-minute call to a fully-set-up creative accounting service. Most engagements are live within 5-7 working days.

01

Book a free consultation

A 20-minute call with a creative-industry specialist to walk through your income sources and recommend the right structure.

Free consultation No commitment, no pitch 20 MIN
Tue 13 May
09:30 10:00 10:30
Wed 14 May
11:00 14:30
02

Quick online sign up

Pick a fixed-fee package, complete ID/AML checks and sign the engagement letter - usually under 15 minutes.

Pick a fixed-fee plan
Confirm business details
ID + AML verification
Sign engagement letter
Welcome to your dashboard
03

Switching is handled for you

If you're moving from another accountant we contact them, collect the records and set everything up - you don't chase anything.

Sign letter
We contact them
Records moved
You're live
04

FreeAgent set up

We connect your bank accounts and configure FreeAgent for the irregular creative cashflow pattern, with simple income categories you'll actually use.

Revenue
£42.8k
Expenses
£9.2k
CT due
£6.4k
05

Year-round support

Book a call with your accountant any time, ask quick questions via WhatsApp, and get proactive reminders before every deadline.

Quick one — am I OK to expense the home office bills?
Yes, on the simplified rate. I'll add £26/mo to your return automatically.
Replied in 4 minutes
06

Filed correctly, every year

Self Assessment, Corporation Tax, VAT - every filing handled and submitted on time, with you fully briefed before anything goes to HMRC.

Self Assessment
Corporation Tax
VAT returns
PAYE / payroll
Year-end accounts
Confirmation statement
Rated 4.9/5 from 65 Google reviews

What creative freelancers and studios say after switching

Real reviews from real GoForma clients. Names match those on our verified Google profile.

★★★★★

First creative agency I've worked with where the accountant actually understood royalty income, residuals, and how to claim my equipment under AIA. About £3k of deductions my last accountant missed.

Verified
★★★★★

PRS / DACS / ALCS payouts, foreign royalties, double-tax relief — none of it fazes them. They translated all of it into plain English and got my return right first time.

Verified
★★★★★

Modelled sole trader vs Ltd on my real income and were honest about staying sole trader another year. The trading allowance trick alone saved me a few hundred quid this year.

Verified
★★★★★

FreeAgent project tracking has changed how I quote. I can see profit per commission and re-quote next time. They actually flagged that two retainers were running thin.

Verified

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to register as self-employed if I earn money from creative work?
Yes. If you earn over 1,000 pounds a year from creative work - whether YouTube, music, photography, acting, or freelance design - you must register as self-employed with HMRC and file an annual Self Assessment tax return.
Can I claim expenses as a creative professional?
Yes. Allowable expenses include equipment (cameras, instruments, computers), software subscriptions, studio rental, travel to performances or shoots, professional training, agent fees, costumes, and a proportion of your home office costs.
When should a creative set up a limited company?
A limited company typically becomes worthwhile when your net profit consistently exceeds 30,000-35,000 pounds per year. Beyond this threshold, paying yourself a small salary plus dividends is usually more tax-efficient than operating as a sole trader.
How does IR35 affect freelance creatives?
IR35 applies if you work through a limited company but your working arrangement resembles employment. For creatives working with broadcasters, media companies, or large agencies, IR35 status should be reviewed before each contract.
Do you work with YouTubers and content creators?
Yes. We support YouTubers, TikTok creators, Instagram influencers, podcasters and other content creators with multi-platform income reconciliation, brand-deal accounting, AdSense and Patreon reporting, and equipment expense claims.
How is AdSense and YouTube income taxed?
AdSense and YouTube Partner income is taxable in the UK regardless of whether the platform withholds US tax. We report the gross amount on your Self Assessment, claim foreign tax credit for any US withholding, and ensure VAT treatment is correct if you cross the 90k pound threshold.
How are royalties from PRS, PPL and MCPS taxed?
Royalties from PRS, PPL, MCPS, BMI/ASCAP and other collection societies are taxed as self-employment or company income depending on your structure. We report them in the correct tax year, handle any withholding on overseas royalties, and check whether you qualify for any creator-specific reliefs.
Do brand deals and sponsorships count as taxable income?
Yes - cash payments, free product, PR trips, gifted services and revenue shares are all taxable income at fair market value. There are specific HMRC rules around the barter element of gifted product and PR trips.
What software do you recommend for creatives?
FreeAgent - included free with our packages - is well-suited to creator income because it handles irregular cashflow, multi-currency payments and project tagging. It also has a strong mobile app for capturing receipts on the move.
How much does creative accounting cost?
Pricing depends on whether you're a sole trader or limited company, your income level, and whether you need VAT support. Sole-trader Self Assessment starts at 44 pounds per month. Full limited company packages including all annual filings start at 88 pounds per month with a 50% discount on the first three months.
Meet GoForma

Real people, real qualifications, a real address

Your accounting matters too much to be handed off to an offshore team you'll never meet. Every GoForma client gets a named, UK-qualified accountant, with a London office and a phone number that picks up.

Meet our ACCA & AAT qualified accountants Credentials & partnerships
ACCA & AAT qualified accountants
Every accountant is professionally qualified by the ACCA or AAT — the UK's two leading professional accounting bodies, both regulated for public practice.
Verify on ACCA register
FreeAgent Platinum Partner
Top-tier partnership with FreeAgent. Bundled software (worth £330/yr) included on every plan, with priority support from the FreeAgent team.
Find us on FreeAgent
HMRC-recognised tax agent
Authorised by HMRC to file Corporation Tax, Self Assessment, VAT, PAYE and CIS returns directly with HMRC on your behalf — agent reference held on file.
Companies House (no. 13046739)
ICO data protection registered
Registered with the UK Information Commissioner's Office (ICO). Your financial data is handled to GDPR standards, end-to-end encrypted in transit and at rest.
Verify on ICO register
Key terms, plain English

Quick definitions for accountants for creatives

IR35

UK off-payroll working rules. They decide whether a contractor working through a limited company is genuinely in business or is a 'disguised employee' for tax purposes.

Read the official HMRC / gov.uk guidance
Corporation Tax CT

The tax a UK limited company pays on its taxable profits — currently between 19% and 25% of profit depending on profit level. Filed annually via a CT600 return.

Read the official HMRC / gov.uk guidance
Self Assessment SA

The annual personal tax return that a limited-company director files for their own income — typically dividends, salary and other personal income. Deadline: 31 January.

Read the official HMRC / gov.uk guidance
Making Tax Digital MTD

HMRC's programme that requires VAT-registered and self-employed taxpayers to keep digital records and file via approved software like FreeAgent.

Read the official HMRC / gov.uk guidance
Confirmation Statement

An annual filing to Companies House confirming the company's directors, shareholders and registered office. Separate from CT and SA — but every limited company has to file one.

Read the official HMRC / gov.uk guidance
Construction Industry Scheme CIS

A set of HMRC rules for the construction sector where contractors deduct money from subcontractor payments at source and pass it to HMRC as advance tax.

Read the official HMRC / gov.uk guidance