Advisory vs Non‑Advisory Services
Anderstand what is included at each level: Basic Non-Advisory, Enhanced Non-Advisory, and Advisory.
Service Levels at a Glance
Routine statutory compliance
Straightforward tasks performed to meet HMRC and Companies House requirements.
- Year-end statutory accounts
- Corporation tax or self-assessment submissions
Important: Under Basic Non-Advisory, the client is responsible for ensuring that books and records are compliant with HMRC tax rules and the Companies Act. This includes performing their own bookkeeping, filing VAT returns (standard scheme), and running payroll processing & RTI filings. If required, the client must provide justification for the accounting/tax treatment of items in the books and, where appropriate, provide references to relevant legislation or HMRC guidance.
More detailed / complex compliance
Still fact-based and non-opinionated, but with deeper checks and tailored reporting.
- Bookkeeping (client records transactions)
- VAT returns done by client
- Payroll processing & RTI filings by us
- Management accounts (without interpretation)
- Detailed reconciliations by client (bank, VAT, debtors/creditors)
- Complex VAT schemes guidance by us (standard, Flat Rate, Partial Exemption, Retail)
- Factual reports for lenders/regulators
- Advanced payroll compliance (benefits, pensions auto-enrolment)
Tailored recommendations & forward planning
Judgement-based insights to improve decisions, structure, and performance.
- Tax planning & structuring
- Cashflow forecasting & scenario modelling
- Business restructuring and growth strategy
- Choosing optimal VAT schemes & transaction structuring
- Board-level reporting and KPI coaching
Value-Added (Advisory) – IT & Digital Support: We can also provide guidance around website improvements, SEO best practices, and automation of processes (e.g., connecting cloud apps, workflow automation, and reporting dashboards) to support your business goals.
Side-by-Side Comparison
- Purpose: Routine statutory compliance.
- Complexity: Low.
- Accounts & Tax: Year-end accounts; Corp/SA returns.
- VAT: Standard VAT returns (client-prepared).
- Payroll: Client-run payroll & RTI filings.
- Bookkeeping: Client-performed.
- Professional judgement: Minimal; follow the rules.
- Outcome: Keeps you legally compliant.
- Client responsibilities: Maintain compliant books; do bookkeeping, VAT (standard), and payroll/RTI; provide justification & references to legislation/guidance as needed.
- Purpose: More detailed/complex compliance.
- Complexity: Medium–High.
- Accounts & Tax: Management accounts (no interpretation); factual reports.
- VAT: Standard or special schemes (Flat Rate, Partial Exemption, Retail)(prepared by client).
- Payroll: Processing & compliance handled by us.
- Bookkeeping: Done by client.
- Professional judgement: Technical application; no recommendations.
- Outcome: Deeper compliance detail (no strategy).
- Client responsibilities: Provide complete data on time; approve deliverables.
- Purpose: Forward-looking guidance & tailored recommendations.
- Complexity: High (judgement & strategy).
- Accounts & Tax: Tax planning; restructuring advice.
- VAT: Select optimal scheme; structure transactions.
- Payroll: Reward/benefits advice.
- Bookkeeping: Cashflow forecasting; performance improvement.
- Professional judgement: High; tailored advice.
- Outcome: Informed decisions & improved future results.
- Client responsibilities: Engage on goals/constraints; act on recommendations.
FAQs & Clarifications
What is the basic difference between non-advisory and advisory?
Non-advisory work is factual compliance with little judgement (what must be done). Advisory applies expertise to give recommendations (what you should do).
Does enhanced non-advisory include interpretation or advice?
No. It can include more detailed checks and customised reporting, but it remains factual and does not include recommendations.
What kind of IT & digital advisory can you help with?
- Website and content guidance to support credibility and conversions
- SEO fundamentals (technical hygiene, on-page structure, analytics set-up)
- Process automation (e.g., invoice capture, approvals, integrations, dashboarding)
- App selection and cloud accounting workflows
