Most tech businesses pick up an accountant in their first year and never revisit the decision. That might work while the numbers are simple, but as the business grows, the gap between what you need and what you’re getting tends to widen without anyone noticing.

The problems show up at the worst moments. You’re preparing for a funding round and your accounts aren’t investor-ready. You’ve been claiming R&D relief for three years but never had anyone properly review whether you’re capturing everything you’re entitled to. You’re thinking about an exit and realise your accountant has never worked on a transaction.

If your tech business is growing, the accountant who got you started may not be the accountant who can take you where you’re going.

Why growing tech businesses need specialist advice

Once a technology company moves beyond its early stages, the financial decisions become more complex and more consequential.

You may be claiming R&D tax relief, but is your claim compliant with recent scheme and cost changes? For accounting periods beginning on or after 1 April 2024 loss-making SME’s with an R&D Intensity ratio of 30% or more are able to claim enhanced relief under ERIS.  All other companies regardless of size should be claiming under the merged R&D expenditure credit scheme.  Overseas costs are no longer allowable unless specific exemptions are met, cloud computing and data costs can now be claimed, and there are new rules around contracted out R&D too.

 On top of all these changes HMRC scrutiny on software development claims has increased considerably, and the compliance requirements have changed. An accountant without current, hands-on R&D experience in tech may not be up to date with all the changes or, worse, submitting claims that won’t stand up to enquiry.

You may be considering a funding round. SEIS allows qualifying companies to raise up to £250,000, with investors receiving 50% income tax relief. EIS allows raises of up to £5 million per year, increasing to £10 million from April 2026, with 30% income tax relief for investors. Getting advance assurance from HMRC before you approach investors makes your company significantly more attractive. If your accountant can’t prepare that application, you’ll need to find someone who can.

You may be looking to attract or retain key people through equity. EMI schemes offer tax-advantaged share options, and the qualifying thresholds are expanding from April 2026: gross asset limit increasing from £30 million to £120 million, employee limit rising from 250 to 500, and company option limit doubling to £6 million. For growing tech businesses, these changes open up options that may not have been available before.

A generalist practice can keep you compliant. A specialist understands how these reliefs, schemes, and structures work together and can flag opportunities before you miss them.

Questions worth asking your current accountant

You don’t necessarily need to change accountant. But it’s worth having an honest conversation about whether your current arrangement is keeping pace with the business.

Some things to consider:

• When did they last review your R&D claim methodology? The merged RDEC and ERIS schemes introduced in 2024 changed how claims are calculated and what qualifies. If your accountant is still working from old assumptions, your claim may not be optimised for the current rules, or may be at risk if HMRC opens an enquiry.
• Can they produce management accounts that would satisfy an investor or acquirer? Monthly or quarterly reporting that gives you genuine visibility into cash position, runway, and performance against forecast is expected by any serious investor. If your accountant only delivers an annual snapshot, that’s a gap.
• Do they have experience with cap table management, option pools, and share scheme structuring? As your team grows and you bring on advisors or consider new equity rounds, getting this right becomes increasingly important. Mistakes in cap table management create problems that are expensive to unwind later.
• Have they worked on transactions in your sector? If an exit or institutional raise is on the horizon, your accountant will be central to due diligence preparation, financial modelling, and tax-efficient structuring. This is specialist work, and getting advice too late can be very costly. Wilson Partners, for example, has an in-house corporate finance team alongside its accounting and R&D specialists, meaning the same firm can support you through the full journey.

What a tech-focused accountant should be delivering

Beyond statutory compliance, a growing tech business should expect:

• R&D tax relief advisory that goes beyond filing. Identifying all qualifying activities, preparing robust technical narratives, quantifying eligible expenditure accurately, and being prepared to defend claims under HMRC enquiry. This is one of the most valuable reliefs available to innovative companies.
• SEIS and EIS advance assurance. If investment is part of your growth plan, your accountant should be able to prepare and submit applications to HMRC to confirm your company qualifies.
• Management reporting that supports decisions. Monthly or quarterly accounts, cash flow forecasting, and scenario planning. Not just numbers in a spreadsheet, but reporting that helps you and your board make informed choices.
• Share scheme and equity advice. Structuring EMI option pools, understanding dilution across funding rounds, and planning equity incentives that work for the business and the individuals involved.
• Transaction readiness. Whether you’re raising capital or considering an exit, your accountant should be able to prepare for due diligence, support valuations, and advise on structures that protect value. This is an area where the right advice early makes a material difference to the outcome.

Making a change

If your current accountant isn’t delivering what you need, the transition doesn’t have to be disruptive. A good specialist practice will manage the handover and get up to speed quickly, particularly if they already work with businesses like yours.

Wilson Partners works with growing tech companies across the full lifecycle, from scaling through to exit. With specialist teams in R&D tax relief, EIS and SEIS, management reporting, and corporate finance, we provide the strategic financial advice that growing technology businesses need. If you’d like to explore whether we’re the right fit, get in touch with our technology team.