Property development moves fast. And while many developers think of their accountant as someone who files year-end accounts and reminds them when tax is due, the reality is that a good accountant should be by your side from day one – and every step along the way.
From SPV setup to exit strategy, the right accountant can help you build smarter, protect your profit, and scale with confidence.
Not Just Year-End Numbers
Development projects are complex, fast-paced, and cash-heavy. A traditional accountant who checks in once a year isn’t enough. What you need is strategic financial guidance woven into your planning, forecasting, and decision-making.
The right accountant helps you:
- Structure your business for tax efficiency
- Manage VAT, CIS, and Corporation Tax obligations
- Forecast cash flow through each stage of the build
- Keep clean books that support lending and investor confidence
- Extract profit in a way that aligns with your long-term goals
If your accountant isn’t offering this, it’s time to rethink who’s advising you.
How Accountants Help with Structuring and Finance
Every profitable development starts with smart structuring. Whether you’re operating through an SPV, group structure, or planning to hold and refinance post-build, your accountant should be advising you from day one.
This includes:
- Setting up the right entity (SPV vs. LTD vs. holding company)
- Planning for VAT and SDLT implications
- Deciding whether to build to sell or build to hold
- Supporting lender due diligence with forecasts and documentation
- Advising on the use of SSAS pensions or group structures to reduce tax and protect assets
These early decisions shape how much profit you keep and how smoothly your project runs.
Ongoing Cash Flow and VAT Guidance
Cash flow is one of the biggest risks in any development project. A proactive accountant will help you:
- Set realistic cash flow forecasts
- Monitor inflows and outflows across the project
- Plan VAT returns and reclaims strategically
- Navigate reverse charge rules and subcontractor payments
- Avoid dry tax charges when switching from sell to hold
This kind of real-time guidance keeps your project funded, compliant, and on track.
Budget Reviews and Tax Forecasts at Key Milestones
Most developers hit financial roadblocks because they didn’t get strategic input early enough. At GoldHouse, we conduct budget reviews and tax forecasting at each key stage:
- Pre-acquisition
- Pre-planning
- Post-planning/pre-build
- Mid-construction
- Pre-sale or refinance
At each point, we help you assess the impact of changes, optimise your tax position, and protect working capital. No surprises, no scrambling, just clarity and control.
Building Investor and Lender Confidence Through Clean Books
If you’re working with lenders, JV partners, or private investors, keeping clean, organised accounts is critical. It’s not just about compliance, it’s about trust.
We help you:
- Maintain accurate project accounts
- Produce investor-ready reports
- Provide real-time performance insights
- Avoid red flags that spook lenders
This builds confidence with funders, attracts new capital, and positions you as a serious operator in a competitive market.
Choosing a Property-Savvy Accountant
Not every accountant understands development. Look for a team that:
- Works regularly with property developers and investors
- Understands VAT in construction, SPVs, SSAS pensions, and exit strategies
- Offers monthly or milestone-based reviews, not just year-end files
- Can support UK and international structuring (especially Dubai-linked businesses)
- Speaks your language – fast, practical, and commercially focused
At GoldHouse, we specialise in accounting for developers, landlords, and entrepreneurs who want more than just box-ticking. We offer strategic financial leadership tailored to your projects and long-term goals.
Book a strategy call with GoldHouse today and discover what’s possible when your accountant is a partner in your success, helping you save time, reduce tax, and build a legacy with every development you take on.
