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Chartered Accountants for businesses in Reading

We are an independent chartered accountancy firm providing personal advice to help businesses grow, save time and money since 2008.

From corporation tax and VAT to payroll and tax planning, we help limited companies stay compliant and make better business decisions. Supporting clients in Reading and throughout the UK.

Clear advice. Smarter decisions. Better results.

See how we can help
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MORE THAN COMPLIANCE

Running a business means making financial decisions all the time

As a business owner you wear many hats. You're the CEO, sales director, HR, and sometimes the accountant too.

Should you take on an employee? Is it time to register for VAT? What will that tax bill actually mean for your cash flow?

Those are the conversations an accountant should be able to help with — not just the annual accounts.

Our clients have come to us after spending hours trying to understand their tax obligations, wrestling with payroll, or delaying investor funding rounds because they couldn't figure out share releases.

With us you get accounting and tax compliance, but you also get an experienced Chartered Accountant to talk to when you need to make an important decision.

Supporting your business as it grows

We help businesses spend less time on accounting and more time growing. You'll work directly with an experienced Chartered Accountant who provides practical advice and ongoing support as your business grows.

We're the right choice if you:

  • Want an accountant who understands your business
  • Prefer an independent practice over a franchise
  • Value competitive, transparent and fixed fees. Ongoing accounting and tax planning calls included in your monthly fee. No per call or per meeting charges.
  • Want the reassurance of working with an experienced ICAEW certified, chartered accountant who provides expertise you can trust
  • Need support whenever questions arise. Whether you've received an HMRC letter, need tax advice or want guidance before making an important business decision

MORE TIME FOR YOUR BUSINESS

OUR SERVICE

Complete accounting support for growing businesses

Accounting support tailored to your business — from essential accounts and tax returns to proactive advice as you grow. Fees start from £90 + VAT per month.

Accounts & tax compliance

  • Corporation tax & annual accounts — prepared accurately and filed on time
  • VAT returns — monthly or quarterly, with advice on the right VAT scheme
  • Payroll setup & PAYE management
  • Cloud accounting setup and support — FreeAgent, Xero, QuickBooks, and others
  • We handle all HMRC correspondence on your behalf. You can stop dreading the brown envelope.

Advisory & business support

  • Management accounts — regular reporting so you always know where you stand
  • Business advisory — growth planning, cash flow management, and strategic financial guidance
  • Unlimited phone and email support
Entrepreneurs planning new limited company formation, representing startup clients

Starting a new business?

We'll guide you through limited company formation, help you choose the most tax-efficient structure, and set up all your accounting systems from day one. Get started on the right foot with professional support.

Get started
Established business owner analysing financial statements and growth metrics

Already running a small business?

We'll review your current setup, identify tax savings opportunities, and ensure you're compliant with all HMRC requirements. Seamless switching process guaranteed.

Contact us

Meet the founder

Simon M. Antonis, FCA, founded Simon Maughan & Co after beginning his career at KPMG. He has spent two decades helping businesses understand their finances, from new limited companies to established businesses. He is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW), the most senior designation the institute awards. If you become a client, that experience is what you get, directly.

Simon M. Antonis, founder of Simon Maughan & Co, chartered accountant in Reading

What our clients say

Simon has been a huge help to our business since its formation in 2017. He is knowledgeable, friendly, and always quick to respond. He comes with the highest recommendations.

Dr Scott Thacker Managing Director at Oxford Infrastructure Analytics Ltd

Simon has been my accountant and financial adviser for a number of years. He is a patient, detail oriented and knowledgeable professional who is always helpful in explaining my financial statements, accounting and forecasts.

James Thirlwall Founder at Tiny Tea House

Common questions about small business accounting in Reading

We work with small business owners on two levels. The first is making sure the compliance side is handled properly — annual accounts, corporation tax, VAT returns, payroll — so you're never caught out by a deadline or an HMRC obligation you didn't know about.

The second, and often more valuable, is having someone to call when you're making a decision: whether to take on a member of staff, how to structure a new contract, when to register for VAT, or how to plan around a tax bill. That ongoing advisory relationship is where we think we add the most value.

Accounting fees vary because no two businesses are the same. A limited company with straightforward income and core accounting needs requires a different level of support compared with one that has VAT, payroll, multiple directors and employees, CIS returns, or complex transaction volumes. Rather than a one-size-fits-all price, we look at what you actually need and quote accordingly.

Most clients start from £90/month + VAT for essential accounting support, with additional advisory services available as your business grows. Your exact fee depends on your circumstances, including transaction volumes, payroll requirements and the level of guidance you need. We agree all fees upfront, so you’ll know exactly what you’re paying before you commit.

As a comparison, sole traders typically pay £45–£90/month + VAT, depending on their accounting needs and transaction volume.

Yes — and it's one of the most valuable points to get right. The structure you start with (sole trader, limited company, LLP) has a direct impact on how much tax you pay, your personal liability, and how easy it is to take on investment or sell the business later. We help you think through the options for your specific situation, handle the Companies House registration, and make sure your accounting and tax obligations are set up correctly from day one — so there are no nasty surprises six months in.

Yes, and it's easier than most people expect. We handle everything — contacting your previous accountant, obtaining your records, and reviewing where things stand. If there are gaps in your compliance or tax efficiencies you've been missing, we'll flag them early. Most clients who switch tell us they wish they'd done it sooner.

We're a small, independent practice which means when you become a client, you deal directly with Simon. He's a Fellow of the ICAEW, the most senior designation the institute awards, and has spent two decades working with businesses of all sizes — from new start-ups to established companies.

His experience goes beyond preparing accounts and tax returns. When you need to make a business decision, you can talk it through with an experienced Chartered Accountant who knows your business. You get that experience directly, without being passed between different people or departments.

Yes. We handle VAT registration, advise on the right VAT scheme for your business — flat rate, cash accounting, standard — and manage your quarterly or monthly returns. VAT is one of those areas where small mistakes can result in penalties or cash flow problems, so having it managed properly from the start is worth it.

Need tax and accounting support?

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