Logistics & Haulage Accounting & Tax Services in the UK

Our UK logistics accounting services are built for companies that move goods on Britain's roads:

• Owner-Operators & Small Hauliers: Small firms that need to manage fuel costs, track maintenance expenses, and optimize their tax position.
• Medium to Large Fleet Operators: Companies requiring sophisticated management of asset depreciation, fleet financing, and detailed profitability analysis per vehicle.
• Freight Forwarders & 3PL Providers: Businesses that manage complex supply chains for clients, needing to track costs and margins across multiple transport modes.
• Courier & Last-Mile Delivery Services: Companies managing a large number of vehicles and drivers, requiring efficient payroll and expense management systems.

From the moment you acquire your first vehicle, specialized logistics accounting is necessary. It becomes indispensable at these key stages:

• When You Purchase Your First Truck: You must establish a depreciation schedule for the asset and begin meticulously tracking all related costs, from insurance to repairs.
• When You Hire Your First Driver: This triggers PAYE payroll obligations and the need to manage expenses like overnight allowances and fuel cards.
• When You Need to Reclaim Fuel VAT: Correctly accounting for fuel expenses is essential for maximizing VAT reclaims, a significant factor in managing cash flow.
• When You Need to Secure Asset Finance: Lenders will require detailed financial statements and cash flow projections to approve financing for new vehicles.
• When You Want to Understand True Profitability: To determine if your business is truly making money, you must be able to calculate your revenue and cost on a per-mile or per-job basis.

Outsourcing your logistics accounting provides access to a specialized skillset crucial for profitability in this low-margin industry. Costs are typically based on fleet size and complexity.

• Small Fleet (1-5 vehicles): £600 - £1,500 per month. This generally includes specialized bookkeeping, VAT returns, and basic fleet P&L reporting.
• Medium Fleet (6-25 vehicles): £1,500 - £4,000 per month. This level adds more detailed asset management, depreciation schedules, and profitability analysis.
• Large Fleets: Custom pricing starting at £4,000+, often including fractional CFO services for strategic advice on fleet acquisition and financing.

The logistics industry in the UK has specific financial risks that can severely impact operations:

• Incorrect VAT Reclaims on Fuel: HMRC has complex rules about reclaiming VAT on fuel used for private vs. business mileage. Errors can lead to audits and penalties.
• Improper Asset Depreciation: Failing to correctly depreciate high-value assets like trucks and trailers can distort your company's financial position and tax liability.
• Poor Cost Control: Without a precise understanding of cost-per-mile, haulage companies can easily take on unprofitable contracts, leading to financial distress.
• Driver Expense Mismanagement: Inconsistently handling driver expenses and allowances can lead to disputes and payroll compliance issues.

Logistics finance is not generic business accounting. It requires a deep understanding of asset management, capital allowances, and VAT on road fuel. Finding an in-house accountant with this specific expertise is both difficult and expensive.

Outsourcing to YourLegal's logistics finance partners provides an immediate, expert solution. We implement systems to track the profitability of every vehicle in your fleet, ensure you are maximizing your VAT reclaims, and manage complex depreciation schedules correctly. We provide you with the financial clarity needed to bid on contracts confidently and make smart decisions about growing your fleet. By handling the complex financial administration, we let you focus on your core mission: delivering goods safely, on time, and profitably.