Art Accountants | Accountants for art galleries, artists & art dealers

The art industry tends to have issues very specific for the sector and finding an accountant up to speed on the ins and outs of your day to day can be trying.

We have extensive knowledge, and over 20 years experience, of the complex accountancy and tax issues facing creative industries and the art world.

See our latest views and opinions on the art world here.

Accountants for Art Galleries, Artists & Art Dealers

We operate by focussing on your priorities and supporting you in achieving your business and personal goals.

Whether this is to grow your business, financial management, tax planning, estate planning including how to best pass down works of art or general accounting services and audit advice we have specialist chartered accountants who can help.

Tax structuring and tax planning for artists, galleries and dealers

Tax efficient structuring of UK and overseas transactions
Tax efficient remuneration planning
Claiming research and development tax credits
Ensuring you make use of capital allowances
Ensuring you recognise fee income at the right point in a project’s life cycle and appropriate timing of tax payments
Inheritance tax planning
Tax returns
Retirement planning and wealth preservation strategies

VAT planning and compliance for artists, galleries and dealers

Advising on the VAT implications of projects
VAT planning and structuring for UK and overseas transactions
Specialist advice on the VAT margin scheme
Support with HM Revenue and Customs VAT investigations
VAT registration and submissions

Systems and efficiencies for galleries and dealers

Managing staffing levels
Reviewing pay scales
Review profitability
Establishing the right fee structure for different types of assignments
Ensuring practice management systems are working effectively
Online accounting packages and advice on implementation and training

Management support for artists, galleries and dealers

Preparation of management accounts
Reviewing management structures
Support with managing working capital

Talent Management for galleries and dealers

Support with developing talent management strategies
Implement and review employee incentive schemes
Flexible outsourced payroll service

Accounting and tax compliance support for art-related businesses

Full day-to-day involvement in bookkeeping
Annual accounts and audit
Tax returns including both corporate and personal tax compliance

Our international alliance with over 600 professional firms worldwide means our art accountants can provide a pro active and flexible service both here and globally.

We provide a Partner led service which is tailored to your specific requirements.

See our latest views and opinions on the art world here.

Talk to Keith Graham, one of our specialist accountants for art, about how we can help.

Meet the experts

Keith Graham

Keith combines his management responsibilities with servicing a large and varied portfolio of clients. His areas of specialism include the property sector, charities, professional services firms and the art world. His interest in contemporary art provides a useful background for his regular speaking engagements at seminars for artists and art galleries.

Keith is also involved with a number of charities and not for profit organisations, both as an advisor and board member.

Over the years, my personal contact with clients is what gives me most pleasure and satisfaction. The opportunity to become the go to person on issues affecting their business or personal financial life - and the pleasure from seeing them take action and reap the benefits of pro-active advice.

If I wasn’t doing this I would be: immersing myself in the Contemporary Art world and spending as much time as they’ll have me with my grandchildren.

Favourite book: Animal Farm.

Dream location: Tel Aviv.

Meet the experts

Ratan Lele

Ratan has over thirty year’s experience advising owner managed and family businesses of various shapes and sizes.

He has specialist expertise in dealing with the affairs of property dealers and developers, service charge clients, art galleries, solicitors, and Indian and other overseas companies trading in the UK .

Ratan prides himself in being totally client centric and believes in total commitment towards his clients, which is reflected in the fact he has worked with many of his clients across two generations.

My role with the business owners I work with is to take away as much stress as I can so they can enjoy their life and running their business.

If I wasn't doing this I'd be: a stand up comedian.

Favourite Book: My Family & Other Animals.

Dream Location: Luwangwa National Park, Zambia.

Meet the experts

Andy Gittins

With over 20 years experience in practice, Andy provides a winning combination: professional expertise and a genuine interest in his clients’ business affairs.

He is also involved in business development work with clients who want to grow their business and improve their profits.

He acts for a variety of owner managed businesses in sectors including architecture, art, restaurants, music, telecommunications, publishing and fashion retail.

I enjoy talking to business owners about growth and the key to working “on their business” not just “in their business.” Key aspects of this include goal setting, trying to systemise as many aspects of their business as is practical and obtaining customer feedback on what exactly their clients want from them.

If I wasn't doing this I'd be: an Investment Manager.

Favourite Sports Team: Spurs.

Dream Location: Bermuda.

What our clients say

I’ve spent a good amount of time with the Haines Watts People Services team and my experience has been outstanding. They’re so knowledgeable and are helping me massively with our business. I keep asking their advice and how to deal with things that are occurring and they’re guiding me through them like true professionals.

Sue Jones, Churches Fire Security Limited

I’ve worked with the Haines Watts team over the past year. They really understand our business and the type and calibre of people we’re looking for. They provide us with excellent support in understanding our recruitment needs, our company culture and how we wish to be positioned, as an employer of choice.

Dan Hancocks, Concredo Limited

Haines Watts skilfully tailored a program and an approach to suit our requirements and abilities of our company. This created a comfortable atmosphere for us to follow the Haines Watts process. Through this process we built the blue print that we are now using to grow the company. The workshops Haines Watts ran with us proved to be excellent value. We now have a clear vision of the future, with the tools and confidence to achieve it.

Dave Pennock, Eclipse Sprayers

Haines Watts opened my mind to looking at my business in a different way. Although successful I was at the stage where I was looking to shape my business better – I needed a little support. They gave me an informal framework for seeing how my business was performing and enabled me to talk to other owner managed businesses who have similar challenges.

Rob Quinn, Purity Productions

Haines Watts has acted as a useful mirror to our business. We’ve looked at how we operate, our strengths, and how we perceive ourselves. Whenever I ask a question, I know Haines Watts will present us with a range of scenarios and a view of the bigger picture, so we can make fully informed decisions. All information is given in plain English. As a result of Haines Watts’ support, we are heading into the next year with a renewed focus.

James Broady, Central Roofing

One of our most influential partners, Haines Watts, works closely with us, not only providing valuable financial advice, but also offering support in more complex commercial and strategic decision making. Extensive financial systems development, accounts preparation, and strategic development are only some of the services Haines Watts has provided. Recently we have worked on a new product and Haines Watts is helping us to identify the most appropriate way to commercially develop this product.

Victoria Browning, Probe Industries Limited

What’s impressed us most with Haines Watts is that, in addition to covering the usual compliance stuff, they got involved with us right from the beginning and have provided added value in terms of top quality business advice. Our regular contact and meetings generate a constant flow of communication and their personal approach has been a welcome change from the ‘big firm’ mentality we had before.

Gareth Ratcliffe, Nunwood Consulting Ltd

We have been involved with Haines Watts for some years now. They have always taken a close interest in the development and success of our business, not just in producing accounts, but also in respect of strategy and development. The Haines Watts team have a thorough understanding of our business needs. They deliver commercial and pragmatic advice in a timely, supportive and unobtrusive manner. I would have no hesitation in recommending Haines Watts.

Damien Maguire, TC Autos

I have been consistently impressed by the service provided by Haines Watts. They are professional, accurate, approachable and flexible. Michelle Cousins, our Payroll Manager at Haines Watts, has been incredible in navigating us through the complexities of payroll and HMRC issues. Her approach is supportive and flexible and always ready to adapt to our latest requirements or plan ahead and all this with a professional, positive, ‘can do’ attitude.

We are so appreciative of all the efficient hard work and support that Haines Watts has provided to our business over the years. They are always there at the end of the telephone or email for all our queries – however small and they always help us in a cheerful and professional manner. I feel confident in my work knowing Haines Watts are always at hand if needed.

Accountants London

Accountants for Art

Accountants for Art Galleries, Artists & Art Dealers

Tax structuring and tax planning for artists, galleries and dealers

VAT planning and compliance for artists, galleries and dealers

Systems and efficiencies for galleries and dealers

Management support for artists, galleries and dealers

Talent Management for galleries and dealers

Accounting and tax compliance support for art-related businesses

Meet the experts

Keith Graham

Meet the experts

Ratan Lele

Meet the experts

Andy Gittins

What our clients say

Your business challenges

Looking for an accountant?

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Paying too much tax?

Don’t let the taxman get a large slice of your cash.

Growing a business?

From small beginnings... Advice on how to grow your business.

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If your cash is drying up – we can help to improve your cashflow.

Buying a business

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Exiting a business

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Expanding internationally

Take advantage of international markets for your business.

Looking for funding

There’s plenty of options, you just need to know where to look.

Selling a business

Advice on how to get the most from your business sale.

Starting a business

Help & advice on sowing the seeds to grow a great business.

Don’t let the taxman get a large slice of
your cash.

From small beginnings... Advice on how to
grow your business.

If your cash is drying up – we can help to
improve your cashflow.

Looking to buy a business? Find out how
to make it a success.

Don’t let a lifetime of work fall at the final
hurdle. Plan your exit.

Take advantage of international markets
for your business.

There’s plenty of options, you just need to
know where to look.

Advice on how to get the most from your
business sale.

Help & advice on sowing the seeds to
grow a great business.