Fiscal Umbrella Accountants
Accountants for tech startups who understand the raise from both sides
Accountants for tech startups, with or without investors yet. We handle the year end, tax and reliefs around your raise.
Advance assurance can shape an angel’s decision, yet it is often raised too late. Fasih secured it for his own software company before raising, then attracted investors. Your accountant should spot that timing before paperwork blocks the conversation.
Fiscal Umbrella is a Luton accountancy and tax practice for technology startups across the UK. Fasih Khan ACCA handles SEIS and EIS advance assurance, R&D and patent box in house, with fixed fees agreed in writing.
I was stuck with my R&D claim, but Fiscal Umbrella helped me navigate it smoothly. They're professional, efficient, and truly know their stuff.…Cartel Media
- Fasih Khan ACCA
- Fixed fees in writing
- Luton office
- UK-wide remote
What changes before your next raise
Approach investors with SEIS timing checked
Know whether advance assurance is realistic before it becomes part of an angel conversation.
Claim qualifying development work during the year
R&D is considered while the work and supporting details are still easy to explain.
See whether registered IP changes the tax
Patent box is checked alongside your corporation tax instead of being left unmentioned.
Where startup tax decisions go wrong first
The missed deadline usually begins with advice arriving after the decision.
- Raise
“We were ready to speak to angels before anyone checked whether advance assurance was realistic.”
That can stall the tax conversation when an investor asks for detail.
- R&D
“Our accountant said the R&D work was too technical and left it until year end.”
Potential qualifying work reached year end without the supporting detail being gathered as it happened.
- IP
“We registered the IP, but nobody connected it to our corporation tax position.”
The company paid tax without anyone checking whether patent box applied.
- Day 90
What changes once startup advice is in the room?
The SEIS check happens before investor discussions move too far. R&D work is reviewed while your team can explain it. Patent box is considered with the year end instead of afterwards.
Quick check · no email
If your accountant can’t assess SEIS, forecast your tax bill and reply this week, you have the wrong accountant
Answer these questions about the accountant advising your startup now.
Question 1 of 3
Could they tell you this week whether SEIS advance assurance is realistic for your company?
Could they tell you what your corporation tax bill will be before it lands?
Could they explain whether your development work or registered IP may qualify for relief?
The gap is real because each decision has a deadline or supporting work behind it. The set-up review is the next sensible step.
Part of the work is covered, so focus on the unanswered area. Fasih’s own SEIS raise shows why advance assurance deserves an early conversation.
All three answers suggest your startup is being well served. Read the startup tax guides before your next raise or year end.
What a filing-only service leaves until year end
Annual filing can be correct while decisions around a raise still receive no attention.
Filing and deadlines
Annual accounts prepared after the period closes.
The corporation tax return submitted by its deadline.
Payroll and bookkeeping kept up to date.
Questions handled when the year end arrives.
Advice before decisions
SEIS and EIS timing checked before investor discussions.
R&D considered while development work is happening.
Registered IP screened for patent box.
The tax position discussed before cash is committed.
Which startup tax gaps need checking now
A yes to each question means the main decisions have someone responsible for them.
- 01
Are you looking at SEIS or EIS funding?
Yes means the funding test is worth taking further, even before investors are in place.
- 02
Has anyone checked whether advance assurance is realistic?
Yes means the raise has been reviewed before paperwork starts.
- 03
Can your accountant explain SEIS to your angel?
Yes means the investor can get a direct answer.
- 04
Is development work reviewed for R&D during the year?
Yes means supporting detail can be gathered while it is current.
- 05
Has registered IP been checked for patent box?
Yes means its corporation tax treatment has been considered.
- 06
Do you know your corporation tax position before year end?
Yes means spending decisions can use a current tax estimate.
- 07
Are founder salary and dividends reviewed before payment?
Yes means personal tax is considered before money leaves the company.
- 08
Is every agreed service covered by a written fixed fee?
Yes means the scope is settled before work begins.
What your startup accountant should handle together
The raise, reliefs and year end affect each other, so one person should see the full position.
SEIS and EIS advance assurance
Eligibility and timing are checked, applications are prepared in house and Fasih can speak with your angel.
R&D and patent box work
Claims and supporting forms are prepared by the same person responsible for your corporation tax return.
Accounts, tax and founder pay
Year-end accounts, corporation tax, payroll and personal tax are planned around the company’s runway.
Entry 01
What changes when your accountant has raised under SEIS
Fasih has handled advance assurance from the founder’s side of the table.
What clients say
How the right work reaches your raise in time
The first review starts with funding, deadlines, development work and registered IP.
Your funding and deadlines are checked
We confirm who is investing, what has happened already and which reliefs need attention.
Your accounts support the raise
Bookkeeping, payroll and corporation tax work are put on a timetable that fits your decisions.
Relief work is prepared in house
SEIS, EIS, R&D and patent box work stays with the person handling your year end.
Tax decisions arrive before year end
You can plan spending, hiring and founder pay before the final tax bill is due.
Which startups this service is built for
Your limited company is a technology startup, with or without investors yet.
You need SEIS, EIS, R&D or patent box work connected to the year end.
You are comfortable working remotely and using the recommended software.
This service is unsuitable if you need an accountant to find or introduce investors.
Answer a few quick questions and the recommendation will show whether the set-up review fits.
What founders ask before changing accountants
What does the monthly fee include with accountants for tech startups?
The written scope can cover year-end accounts, corporation tax, bookkeeping, payroll and the director’s personal tax. For technology companies, it can also include SEIS or EIS advance assurance, R&D and patent box work. Everything included is agreed before work starts.
Can accountants for tech startups help if we already have an accountant?
Yes. The first step is to check what your current accountant covers and which decisions remain unanswered. That may include advance assurance, development work, registered IP or your coming tax bill. You can then decide whether advice alongside them or a full switch makes sense.
Do we have to move our startup onto different accounting software?
Only where the current software makes accurate bookkeeping or timely reporting difficult. Fiscal Umbrella supports Xero and QuickBooks, with document tools where needed. Any proposed change is explained first, including what your team must do and how it affects the year-end work.
What happens with our current accountant if we switch?
Fiscal Umbrella contacts the current accountant, requests professional clearance and arranges the transfer of the accounting files. Upcoming deadlines are checked during the handover. The scope and fixed fee are agreed in writing before work begins, so responsibilities are settled from the start.
What does an accountant for a tech startup do with SEIS and EIS?
They check whether the company and proposed investment fit the rules, prepare the advance assurance work and explain what the investor needs. Fiscal Umbrella handles this in house. Fasih can also speak directly with an angel about how the relief applies to their proposed investment.
Can a startup accountant handle R&D and patent box work?
Yes, where the company and its work meet the relevant rules. Fiscal Umbrella prepares R&D and patent box work in house alongside the corporation tax return. Development activity and registered IP are reviewed together, reducing the risk that one part is missed at year end.
Three ways to take the next step
Start with the free SEIS eligibility check
Answer a few quick questions, get a personalised recommendation and, if there is a fit, Fasih will arrange the free review.
Check if you fit 02 · A question firstHave a question about your raise?
Ask Fasih about the decision facing your company before you choose an accountant.
Ask Fasih a question 03 · Still decidingStill deciding who should handle it?
Read the guides to understand advance assurance, R&D and patent box before your next conversation.
Read the startup guides →