TL;DR
- Choose specialist if revenue exceeds £200k, you bill multi-episode series, or invest £10k+ in equipment
- Specialists track WIP for unbilled work, series profitability, and optimise Capital Allowances on gear
- Specialist premium of 20-40% typically pays for itself through £12k+ annual equipment tax savings
- Red flags: No WIP knowledge, no Capital Allowance strategy, only year-end accounts
💡Quick reference summary. Continue reading for comprehensive analysis and context.
You've decided to hire an accountant. Now comes the harder question: do you need someone who specialises in podcast production studios, or will a general small business accountant do the job?
For most podcast studios past £200k revenue, a specialist is worth the premium. Here is exactly why.
Run a marketing agency instead?
If you run a performance marketing or creative agency, we have a dedicated guide covering ad spend separation, client profitability, and working capital forecasting.
Read: How to Choose an Accountant for Your Marketing Agency
What a Specialist Understands (That Generalists Don't)
Podcast studios sell expertise and time, not products. A general accountant sees expenses and invoices. We see production cycles, editing creep, and equipment lifecycles.
WIP Tracking
You're 6 episodes into a 20-episode series but haven't invoiced yet. Generalists show zero revenue. We track Work In Progress so you see true profitability monthly.
Series Profitability
That £15k series looks great until you realize re-edits killed the margin. We track profitability per-episode and per-series, accounting for actual editing hours.
Equipment Tax Planning
£12k of Neumann mics doesn't expense at once. We structure capital allowances to maximize tax efficiency on expensive studio gear.
Sponsor Revenue
Managing commissions on client sponsor deals? We separate pass-through revenue so you don't pay tax on money that isn't yours.
Specialist vs General: The Real Difference
| Feature | Specialist Podcast Accountant | General Accountant |
|---|---|---|
| Understanding Model | Gets per-episode billing immediately | Needs explanation of WIP |
| Series Profitability | Tracks margins per series/episode | Only sees total company P&L |
| WIP Tracking | Standard practice monthly | Doesn't track unbilled work |
| Cash Flow | Models production delivery cycles | Generic forecasting |
| Equipment Tax | Optimizes Capital Allowances | Standard expensing |
| Response Time | Understands production deadlines | Standard 48-72h response |
7 Questions to Ask Before Hiring
Red Flags to Watch For
What to Expect on Cost
Specialists charge 20-40% more. Here is the ROI breakdown.
- Year-end accounts
- Tax returns
- Basic Payroll
- WIP Tracking
- Series Profitability
- Equipment Planning
- Monthly Mgmt Accounts
- Full Finance Function
- Hiring Strategy
- Cashflow Management
Decision Framework
Choose Specialist If:
- Revenue is over £200k
- You bill for multi-episode series
- You're hiring audio engineers/producers
- You're investing £10k+ in studio gear
- You manage sponsor commissions
Generalist is Fine If:
- Revenue is under £75k
- You do simple per-episode editing only
- Budget is your #1 constraint
- You bill immediately (no WIP)
- You rent equipment vs buying