12 Claude Prompts Every UK Accountant Should Be Using Right Now

You are a UK chartered accountant writing to a client. Tax year: 2025/26.

Client situation: [PASTE 3-5 BULLET POINTS — e.g., "sole director of Ltd company, salary at £12,570, remaining profits £60,000, no other income, spouse is basic rate taxpayer"]

Write a 200-word email explaining the most tax-efficient extraction strategy. Use plain English — no jargon. Mention the specific allowances and rates that apply. End with a clear next step. Do not give definitive advice — frame as "options to discuss."

Tone: professional but warm, as if writing to a client you've known for three years.

Write a cover letter to accompany a UK VAT return for [QUARTER DATES]. The client is a [BUSINESS TYPE — e.g., "construction subcontractor registered for domestic reverse charge"].

Key figures: Output VAT £[X], Input VAT £[X], Net [payment/repayment] £[X].

Include: a plain-English summary of what the figures mean, any unusual items I should flag [LIST IF ANY — e.g., "one large capital purchase of £15,000 for a new van"], and a reminder of the next quarter's deadline.

Format: professional letter, under 250 words. Do not include any VAT advice — this is a factual summary only.

I'm preparing management accounts commentary for a UK [BUSINESS TYPE] for [MONTH/QUARTER].

Key figures:
- Revenue: £[X] (prior period: £[X])
- Gross profit margin: [X]% (prior: [X]%)
- Overheads: £[X] (prior: £[X])
- Net profit: £[X] (prior: £[X])

Context I know: [2-3 sentences — e.g., "They lost a major contract in February worth £3,000/month. They hired one new employee in March at £28,000 salary."]

Write a 300-word commentary covering: the three most significant variances, what's driving them, and one forward-looking observation. Write for a business owner who understands their business but not accounting terminology.

A UK client has received a letter from HMRC regarding [DESCRIBE — e.g., "a compliance check into their 2023/24 self-assessment return, specifically querying property income expenses"].

Draft a response letter from me (their accountant/tax agent) to HMRC. Include:
- Our UTR/agent reference: [REF]
- Client UTR: [CLIENT UTR]
- A professional, cooperative tone
- The specific information HMRC has requested: [LIST ITEMS]
- A request for additional time if appropriate

Format as a formal letter. Keep factual — do not volunteer information beyond what's been asked.

Draft the scope of work section for a UK accountancy engagement letter covering:

Services: [LIST — e.g., "annual accounts preparation for a UK limited company, corporation tax return, VAT returns (quarterly, standard scheme), payroll for 3 employees, auto-enrolment pension administration"]

Include: what's included, what's explicitly excluded, the client's responsibilities (providing records, meeting deadlines), and our limitation of liability. Reference relevant UK standards where appropriate (e.g., FRS 102 Section 1A for small company accounts).

Write in formal but clear English. 400 words maximum.

I need a summary of UK tax rules for: [SPECIFIC TOPIC — e.g., "Business Asset Disposal Relief (BADR) conditions for a client selling 40% of their shares in a trading company, held for 4 years, where they are a part-time working director"].

Cover: qualifying conditions, current thresholds and rates (2025/26), common pitfalls, and any recent changes or tribunal decisions I should be aware of.

Format as bullet points under clear headings. Flag anything where the rules are ambiguous or where professional judgement is required. End with "VERIFY: [list any specific figures or dates that must be checked against primary HMRC sources]."

Draft board minutes for a UK limited company board meeting. Date: [DATE]. Directors present: [NAMES].

Resolutions to record:
[LIST — e.g., "1. Approval of annual accounts for year ended [DATE]. 2. Declaration of final dividend of £[X] per share. 3. Reappointment of [FIRM NAME] as auditors/accountants. 4. Approval of director's loan account balance of £[X]."]

Include standard opening (quorum confirmed, chair appointed), each resolution with proposer and seconder, and closing. Format as a formal minute book entry. Use Companies Act 2006 language where appropriate.

Write 3 versions of a client chasing email for a UK accountancy practice. The client hasn't submitted their records for [TAX YEAR — e.g., "2025/26 self-assessment"].

Deadline context: The self-assessment filing deadline is 31 January [YEAR+1]. HMRC charges a £100 late filing penalty.

Version 1 (friendly first reminder, 3 months before deadline): warm, brief, helpful
Version 2 (firmer second reminder, 6 weeks before deadline): professional urgency, mention deadline consequences
Version 3 (final notice, 2 weeks before deadline): direct, mention that we may not be able to file on time, explain penalty implications

Each email: under 150 words. Include a clear call to action. Never threatening — always professional.

A client has asked: "[PASTE THEIR EXACT QUESTION — e.g., 'One of my employees wants to salary sacrifice into their pension. How does this work and will it save me NI?']"

Context: The client is a UK employer with [X] employees. Their payroll runs [monthly/weekly] through [SOFTWARE — e.g., Xero Payroll].

Draft a reply that:
- Answers their specific question in plain English
- Explains the tax/NI implications for both employer and employee (2025/26 rates)
- Mentions any practical steps needed (e.g., varying the employment contract, updating payroll software)
- Flags if this needs formal advice beyond a general explanation

Under 300 words. Professional but conversational.

Generate a year-end tax planning checklist for a UK [CLIENT TYPE — e.g., "owner-managed limited company, sole director, spouse holds 50% shares, company turnover £250,000, profit before director's remuneration £120,000"].

Tax year: 2025/26 (ending 5 April 2026).

Cover: salary vs dividends optimisation, pension contributions (annual allowance £60,000), capital allowances on planned purchases, R&D relief eligibility, corporation tax marginal rate planning (£50,000-£250,000 band), ISA and capital gains allowances.

For each item: state the opportunity, the deadline, and the specific saving in pounds where calculable. Flag items requiring action before 5 April vs those that can wait.

Format as a numbered checklist. 500 words maximum.

Draft a client risk assessment for AML/KYC purposes for a UK accountancy practice.

Client details:
- Type: [e.g., "newly incorporated UK limited company"]
- Industry: [e.g., "property lettings — 4 residential buy-to-let properties"]
- Beneficial owner: [e.g., "single UK-resident director/shareholder, British national"]
- Source of funds: [e.g., "rental income, original deposits from personal savings and mortgages"]
- Red flags to consider: [e.g., "none identified" or "complex ownership structure, overseas element"]

Assess overall risk as Low/Medium/High with reasoning. Reference the Money Laundering Regulations 2017 (as amended) and CCAB guidance. Include: customer due diligence steps completed, enhanced due diligence triggers, and ongoing monitoring requirements.

Format as a structured risk assessment template. 300 words.

Write a briefing note for a UK client who is affected by Making Tax Digital for Income Tax from April 2026.

Client situation: [e.g., "sole trader plumber, turnover £65,000, currently submits annual self-assessment, uses spreadsheets for record-keeping"]

Cover:
- What MTD for Income Tax requires (quarterly digital submissions)
- When their first quarterly update is due (7 August 2026 for April 2026 starters)
- What software they need (compatible options for their trade)
- What records must be kept digitally
- The penalty regime (note: first four quarterly updates have penalty relief)
- What we as their accountant will handle vs what they need to do

Write in plain English. Under 400 words. End with "If you have questions, call us on [PHONE] or reply to this email."