The Knight Frank Rural Client Finance team
Are you looking to modernise and for the very best financial management support for your rural portfolio? Transforming your business is one click away. Our all-inclusive virtually accessible finance department means you’ll get everything you need from one place with a team of accountants supporting you every step of the way.
Our personalised approach provides an online cloud-based accounting system that is tailored to your specific needs but managed by us, allowing you to keep an eye on your finances from wherever you are. The software feeds into our property management system, so the information is centralised and consistent with other areas of your business.
We will structure the accounts to suit your individual requirements, allowing you to analyse the various areas of your business separately. We are here to help with all things accounts, including business setup, day-to-day management, accounts preparation, bookkeeping, payroll, and VAT.
As rural businesses face a growing number of challenges, Elin, Head of Rural Client Finance, says her team’s role is becoming increasingly important. “You’d be amazed at how many rural businesses are still recording everything manually or with spreadsheets that don’t always capture a live picture. It makes it very difficult to react quickly to any new opportunities that may arise if you don’t have the right systems in place.”
How can we help?
Bookkeeping
From paying supplier invoices to collecting rent, our team can do the whole bookkeeping process for you. We’ll make sure that items are allocated correctly, allowing you to make important, informed decisions for your rural portfolios. Using innovative software, we’ll ensure that you have oversight of your accounts and always know how things stand. Our accounts system integrates with our cloud-based property management system, meaning our agents are always kept up to date with any outstanding arrears with tenants.
Our services can be used if your farm or estate is already managed by Knight Frank Rural, or we can provide an outsourced bookkeeping service for you.
Financial and management reporting
We understand that having accurate, timely reporting is what allows you to make the necessary decisions for your rural portfolio. We also understand that each client has different needs, so we ensure that our reporting highlights what’s important to you and your rural property or estate.
We work alongside your accountants and tax advisers to ensure we develop a relationship with them to make the process as seamless as possible. We’ll also assist with any external audits.
Payroll
Our team will ensure that employees are paid accurately, on time and are sent payslips after each pay day. We’ll also take the burden away from you around auto-enrolment to make sure you are fully compliant.
VAT
As well as helping you register for VAT, our team can prepare and submit your VAT returns and are experienced in partial exemption calculations and ensuring only business expenditure is recovered if there’s a mixture of private and business. Should the business be audited, we can help by dealing directly with HMRC on your behalf.
Case study: Sandridge Barton
Elin was a crucial player in the transformation of Sandridge Barton from a grape-growing estate to fully-fledged winemaker and visitor attraction. Elin introduced online accounting and reporting systems that helped with the integration of the new Sharpham Wine business into the existing estate, as well as streamlining their wider financial systems.
“It is very useful to work with an advisor who can offer this level of service,” says owner, Jane Moon. “A lot of rural consultants will have lots of good ideas but aren’t always able to facilitate them and make them happen.”
The Covid-19 pandemic has also highlighted the importance of being properly connected, according to Elin. “With so many people working from home or remotely, it’s crucial they all have easy access to the information they need. Without that, it’s very difficult to make sensible or informed decisions, particularly for owners like the Moons who live elsewhere for much of the time.”
Read the full story about Sandridge Barton estate.
Client testimonials
Here’s what our customers have to say about our rural client finance offering.
Brewery Business Manager
“Managing a busy office is not always an easy task but thankfully, the team at Knight Frank introduced us to both Xero and more recently Dext. This straight-forward and quick to use software now saves me a considerable amount of time with the day to day running of accounts. Coupled with Ana and Elins calm and constant professionalism, what used to be a time-consuming and not always enjoyable part of my job has now been made so much easier.”
Estate Manager, Oxfordshire Estate
Our estate has always used Knight Frank accounts. The Rural team, led by Elin, gives me access to an experienced, full time accounting team who process all our payroll and invoicing requirements. All of the team are a great help, giving quick and friendly advice when asked for.”
Get in touch with us if you’d like to learn more about the financial services we can provide for your rural business.