Food and Beverage

Specialist Accounting Services for the Food & Beverage Industry

Trusted Tax & Financial Experts for UK Restaurants, Caterers, Food Producers & Hospitality Businesses

Running a food or drink business is rewarding — but it also comes with tight margins, complex VAT rules, high staff turnover, and rising operational costs. In such a fast-moving industry, having the right accountant can make the difference between surviving and thriving.

At Odiri Tax Consultants & Accountants, we bring over 20 years of experience helping UK-based food and beverage businesses take control of their finances, stay compliant with HMRC, and scale profitably. Whether you run a family-owned bakery, a high-street restaurant, or a growing cloud kitchen, we offer industry-specific financial support tailored to your exact needs.

Why Food & Beverage Businesses Trust Odiri Tax Consultants:

20+ years’ specialist experience in the UK hospitality and food production sectors
Fully compliant with HMRC’s Making Tax Digital (MTD) framework
Trusted by restaurants, takeaways, catering services, food retailers, and artisan producers
Cloud-based accounting support via Xero, QuickBooks & FreeAgent
Transparent, fixed-fee pricing with no hidden charges
Expert understanding of VAT complexities in food and drink
We speak your language — practical, plain-English advice

Our Food & Beverage Accounting Services

Tailored support designed to meet the unique financial demands of food businesses across the UK.

At Odiri Tax Consultants, we understand that no two food businesses are the same. From managing fluctuating food costs and VAT complexity to tracking stock and seasonal staffing — we provide practical, hands-on accounting support that’s tailored to the way you operate.

Here’s how we help:

Bookkeeping & Financial Reporting

Reliable, real-time financial records so you can stay in control.

Keeping accurate records is the foundation of any well-run food business. We provide full-service bookkeeping that helps you monitor daily sales, control costs, and stay on top of payments.

We can help you:

Track income across multiple revenue streams (e.g. dine-in, takeaway, delivery apps)
Categorise supplier invoices for cost control and VAT reclaim
Reconcile payments from card machines, cash tills, and online platforms
Generate monthly profit & loss statements, cash flow forecasts, and performance reports
Cloud-based accounting using QuickBooks, Xero, or FreeAgent for easy access anytime, anywhere.

VAT Advice & Returns

Expert support navigating the complex VAT landscape in the food and drink sector.

VAT can be one of the most confusing areas in the food industry — with varying rates for hot food, takeaway items, alcohol, and delivery services.

We’ll guide you through:

VAT registration (including Flat Rate Scheme options for small food businesses)
Quarterly VAT return preparation and submission
Clarifying which items are zero-rated vs standard-rated
Handling mixed supplies and composite meal deals
Making Tax Digital (MTD) compliance and software integration

Avoid VAT errors that could trigger HMRC penalties or audits.

Payroll & Auto-Enrolment

Fully managed payroll services so you never miss a payday or compliance deadline.

Food businesses often deal with high staff turnover, seasonal hiring, and variable shift patterns. We make payroll simple, accurate, and compliant with all employment regulations.

Our payroll service includes:

Setting up PAYE and employee records
Processing weekly, fortnightly, or monthly wages
Handling student loans, tips, and statutory deductions
Providing digital payslips and year-end summaries (P60s, P11Ds)
Managing pension auto-enrolment and contributions
Save time and reduce risk — we deal directly with HMRC on your behalf.

Inventory Management & Cost Control

Protect your margins by understanding exactly where your money is going.

With rising ingredient costs, supplier changes, and waste management concerns, knowing your Cost of Goods Sold (COGS) is crucial.

We help you:

Set up inventory tracking systems tailored to your operations
Analyse supplier costs and negotiate better deals
Understand portion control and menu engineering
Reduce over-ordering and avoid stock spoilage
Build cost-saving reports to identify waste and inefficiencies

Gain confidence in your pricing and profit margins.

Business Structure & Tax Planning

Optimise your setup to minimise tax, protect your income, and support long-term growth.

Whether you’re just starting out or restructuring a growing brand, we offer advice on the best business structure for your goals and circumstances.

We assist with:

Sole trader vs limited company comparison
Company incorporation and registration
Partnership agreements and family-run setups
Tax planning for directors, dividends, and salary extraction
Structuring for growth, franchising, or investment

Make tax work for you — not against you.

Year-End Accounts & Corporation Tax

Stay compliant and file on time, every time — with no surprises.

We manage the full year-end process, giving you peace of mind that your accounts and tax returns are accurate, on time, and fully compliant.

Our service includes:

Preparation of statutory accounts for Companies House
CT600 Corporation Tax return submissions to HMRC
Detailed review of allowable business expenses
Advice on reducing taxable profits through legitimate reliefs
Liaising with HMRC during queries or investigations

Avoid late filing penalties and unexpected tax bills.

Capital Allowances & Asset Management

Claim tax relief on your investments in equipment, vehicles, and fit-outs.

Whether you’ve refurbished your kitchen, invested in new POS systems, or bought a delivery van — many of these purchases can be claimed under capital allowances.

We’ll help you:

Identify qualifying assets and maximise claims
Distinguish between capital and revenue expenditure
Submit correct figures in your tax returns
Claim Annual Investment Allowance (AIA) where applicable
Navigate HMRC guidance to avoid rejected claims

Turn major purchases into meaningful tax savings.

Business Planning & Profit Growth

Support beyond the numbers — helping your business grow and succeed.

As your business evolves, we offer proactive advice and data-driven planning to help you reach your goals.

We provide:

Break-even analysis and pricing strategy
Monthly and quarterly performance reviews
Cash flow forecasting and budget setting
Advice on raising finance or investment
Exit planning, business sales, or succession support

Grow with confidence, backed by real financial insight.

Total Peace of Mind from an Industry-Focused Accounting Partner

At Odiri Tax Consultants, we don’t believe in one-size-fits-all services. We take the time to understand your business — your margins, your staffing challenges, your growth ambitions — and offer practical support that works in the real world.

Whether you’re behind on VAT returns, struggling with staff payroll, or unsure how to scale your food business — we’re here to help.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) – Food & Beverage Accounting

What accounting services do you offer for food and drink businesses?

We provide a full range of accounting services tailored to the food and beverage sector, including bookkeeping, VAT returns, payroll, business structure advice, tax planning, year-end accounts, capital allowances, and HMRC compliance support.

Do I need a specialist accountant for my food business?

Yes — the food industry has complex VAT rules, fluctuating margins, seasonal staffing, and regulatory challenges. A specialist accountant understands how to maximise your deductions, manage cash flow, and stay compliant with industry-specific tax regulations.

Can you help with VAT for restaurants, cafés or takeaways?

Absolutely. We help food businesses navigate complex VAT rules, including mixed supplies (zero-rated and standard-rated items), hot vs cold food, eat-in vs takeaway, alcohol sales, and delivery services. We also ensure you comply with Making Tax Digital (MTD) for VAT.

What is the best business structure for a food or drink business?

This depends on your size, goals, and risk level. We advise on whether it’s better to operate as a sole trader, partnership, or limited company, and how each impacts your tax liability and legal obligations.

Do you offer payroll services for restaurants and hospitality businesses?

Yes — we manage payroll for food businesses of all sizes, including PAYE setup, employee payments, RTI submissions, pension auto-enrolment, payslips, and compliance with HMRC reporting.

Can I claim capital allowances on kitchen equipment and refurbishments?

Yes. You can claim tax relief through capital allowances on qualifying assets such as ovens, refrigerators, EPOS systems, delivery vans, and shop fit-outs. We’ll help identify eligible items and submit accurate claims to HMRC.

Do you work with small food start-ups or mobile caterers?

Yes, we support all types of food businesses — from start-ups and home-based bakers to food trucks and multi-location chains. No business is too small. We offer flexible packages for businesses at every stage.

Can you help me catch up if I’m behind on VAT or accounts?

Absolutely. If you’ve fallen behind on bookkeeping, VAT submissions, or haven’t filed your accounts, we can get you back on track and liaise with HMRC on your behalf to minimise penalties and interest.

Let’s Take the Stress Out of Your Finances — So You Can Focus on Feeding Others

Running a food or drink business is demanding — from managing your team and controlling stock, to serving customers and staying compliant with tax regulations. At Odiri Tax Consultants, we help food businesses like yours cut through the confusion, save money on tax, and run more efficiently — so you can focus on growing your brand, not stressing over the books. Whether you're a start-up baker, a growing restaurant, a mobile caterer, or a wholesaler — we’ve got the tools, knowledge, and experience to support you. You Focus on Serving Great Food — We’ll Handle the Numbers At Odiri Tax Consultants, we’re not just accountants — we’re trusted advisors to the food and drink industry. Don’t wait until HMRC is knocking. Get ahead of your finances today. 📞 Call us now on 01733808075.