Food & Drink Sector Accountancy Services
Our accountancy team has considerable knowledge of the food & drink sector and works closely with clients to help maximise growth and support their plans in the UK and abroad. Our international connections, through PrimeGlobal, provide clients with access to specialist advice in over 90 countries.
Why work with us?
We work with ambitious food and drink businesses across the spirits, brewing and hospitality sectors, including independent whisky bottlers, start-up and challenger distilleries, emerging brands, wholesalers and producers to the trade, as well as pub and restaurant groups. Our experience includes working with innovative businesses such as PEAT’D and Genius Brewing, alongside a wide range of growing and established operators.
We support businesses at every stage of growth, from day-to-day bookkeeping and accounts production to unlocking value through R&D tax credits, VAT efficiency and investment support. With many years’ experience working with HMRC, including direct involvement in VAT inspections, we ensure clients remain fully compliant, well prepared for any enquiry, and confident in navigating complex tax and VAT requirements.
Our work in this sector
One of our clients produces cakes, biscuits and confectionery for hotels and coffee shops. One of their main customers is a national hotel and coffee shop chain who insisted that VAT should not be applied to any of the products supplied to them. Given the complex nature of VAT liability with such products, our client sought advice on how best to meet the demands of their customer.
We suggested a comprehensive review of all existing products to ensure these met the criteria set out by HMRC to qualify for zero-rated VAT, and a review of all potential new products to ensure these also met the criteria, and, if not, how the product could be altered to qualify for zero-rating.
Members of our food and drink team visited the premises to gather information on all existing and new products, obtained ingredient lists and then conducted reviews to ensure that everything met the relevant criteria.
The team successfully ensured that all products met the criteria and qualified for VAT zero rating, resulting in the client being confident that they could meet the demands of their major customer that VAT was not applicable on any of their products.
Members of Scotland Food & Drink
We’re proud to be members of Scotland Food & Drink, supporting one of Scotland’s most important and fast-growing sectors. Being part of this network helps us stay closely connected to the businesses, people and opportunities shaping the future of Scottish food and drink.
This reflects our continued focus on the sector and our commitment to working alongside producers and manufacturers across Scotland.
Financial Challenges Facing Food & Drink Businesses
Scotland’s food and drink sector contributes more than £19 billion to the economy and remains one of the country’s most important industries. However, established businesses are operating in an increasingly challenging environment. Rising employment costs, inflationary pressures, regulatory requirements and ongoing recruitment challenges are placing additional strain on margins across the sector. For producers, manufacturers and exporters, balancing compliance obligations with day-to-day commercial demands can make long-term planning increasingly complex.
In a sector where profitability is often influenced by changing taxation, operating costs and market conditions, access to timely financial information and strategic advice is more important than ever. Whether considering capital investment, succession planning, operational efficiencies or future growth opportunities, businesses benefit from specialist support that helps them respond confidently to an evolving commercial landscape and make informed decisions for the future.
FAQs
Food and drink businesses often require bookkeeping, management accounts, statutory accounts, VAT advice, payroll, tax planning and business advisory support. As businesses grow, strategic advice around funding, expansion and international trade may also be required.
Yes. Through our international network, PrimeGlobal, we can provide access to specialist advice in over 90 countries, helping businesses navigate overseas growth, taxation and regulatory requirements.
A specialist food and drink accountant understands the sector’s unique challenges, including VAT treatment, duty regulations, supply chain pressures, funding requirements and growth opportunities, allowing them to provide more tailored advice.
Meet our Food and Drink Team
Matthew McDermott
Director
