Accountants for Haulage, Couriers and Drivers

The money side of a transport business

Whether you drive a single van or run a small fleet, the big costs are the vehicles, the fuel and the people, and the big risk is cash flow: fuel and wages are paid now, customers pay later, and a breakdown or a slow payer lands at the worst moment. The endorsement on this site from a haulage company mentions fuel, factoring, driver wages, VAT and supplier payments in one breath, which is a fair summary of the job. We keep those pieces organised so decisions are made on real numbers.

Hislop Business Solutions is run by Michelle Hislop, an AAT licensed accountant with more than 15 years in accountancy and over 8 years of hands-on payroll experience. You deal with Michelle directly, and you should never feel like you are bothering her with a question.

What we take care of

• Bookkeeping and software that tracks costs per vehicle and margin per customer or job.
• Vehicle purchases, finance and leases recorded correctly, with capital allowances claimed on what qualifies.
• Payroll for employed drivers, including overnight and subsistence payments handled the right way.
• VAT returns with fuel and vehicle VAT reclaimed properly.
• Self Assessment for owner-drivers, or company accounts and Corporation Tax.
• Cash-flow forecasting and support with invoice finance if you use it.

Points that matter for haulage and couriers

Buying, financing or leasing vehicles

A van or lorry bought outright or on hire purchase is normally claimed through capital allowances, while lease payments are treated as running costs. The choice affects tax, VAT recovery and cash flow differently, and the right answer depends on how long you keep vehicles and how you fund them. We model it before you commit.

Mileage or actual costs?

A self-employed owner-driver can choose between claiming a fixed mileage rate or the actual running costs of the vehicle with an adjustment for private use. Once a method is chosen for a vehicle it usually has to be kept, so the decision is worth making with the numbers in front of you. Company vehicles follow different rules.

Drivers: employed or self-employed?

Owner-drivers with their own vehicles are usually genuinely self-employed; drivers who work your hours in your vehicles are usually employees, whatever the paperwork says. Getting status wrong exposes the business to back tax and penalties. Employed drivers mean payroll, pension auto-enrolment, holiday pay and the correct treatment of overnight allowances.

VAT and cash flow

Fuel is one of the largest VAT reclaims a transport business has, and it needs proper VAT receipts. Customers on long payment terms make VAT on unpaid invoices painful, so the choice of VAT scheme and the timing of returns matter. Some firms use invoice finance to bridge the gap; we make sure it is recorded properly and the true cost is visible.

Getting started

The first step is a free, no-obligation conversation about your business. We will suggest the right mix of support and a clear monthly price, and if you decide to go ahead we take care of the handover from your previous accountant or your spreadsheets. Book your free consultation or call 07510 914616.