How much does limited company accounting cost in Ireland?

Forti's LTD Starter package starts at €195 + VAT per month and includes monthly bookkeeping, VAT returns, annual accounts, CT1 and CRO Annual Return. The LTD Growth package starts at €295 + VAT per month and adds monthly management accounts and a dedicated accountant.

Last reviewed: September 2026 · Reviewed by Pradeep Dabas ACCA, Partner, Forti Ltd.

🏢 Monthly accounting for Irish limited companies

Limited Company
Accounting
Ireland.

Most accountants appear once a year with a tax bill. Forti keeps your books current every month, flags what matters before it becomes a problem, and gives you the financial clarity to run your company with confidence — not guesswork.

Get a Free Quote Plans from €195 + VAT/month

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Cloud accounting — real-time visibility

Xero, QuickBooks and Sage supported — your books live in the cloud, accessible any time.

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Monthly management accounts

P&L, balance sheet and cash-flow summary every month — not once a year.

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CRO and Revenue deadlines managed

CT1, B1, VAT3, payroll submissions — all tracked and filed on time, without chasing you.

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Proactive tax planning

Section 486C relief, director salary planning, CT provisions — flagged throughout the year.

At a glance — LTD accounting

LTD Starter — from

€195 + VAT/month

LTD Growth — from

€295 + VAT/month

Monthly bookkeeping

Included ✓

VAT3 return preparation

Included ✓

Annual accounts and CT1

Included ✓

CRO Annual Return (B1)

Included ✓

Management accounts

Growth plan ↑

Fixed monthly price

✓ No surprises

Get a Free Quote →

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LTD Starter from

€195 + VAT/month

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Cloud accounting

Xero, QuickBooks, Sage

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Compliance

CT1, B1, VAT3 — all managed

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Based in

Sandyford, Dublin 18

How Cloud Accounting Changed What's Possible for Irish Companies

A decade ago, monthly management accounts were something only larger businesses could justify. Cloud accounting eliminated the manual data entry that made them expensive — and made real-time financial visibility the standard, not the exception.

Real-time

Financial visibility

Live bank feeds and automated reconciliation mean your profit, VAT position and cash balance are current — not three months out of date.

Automated

Transaction processing

Bank feeds, automated transaction rules and receipt capture significantly reduce manual data entry — Forti reviews and manages the bookkeeping from there.

Any device

Anywhere access

Your accounts, invoices, VAT records and management reports accessible from any device — from your office, a client site or abroad.

Year-round

Audit and grant ready

Because books are maintained monthly, Revenue audits, bank applications and EI grant requests can be responded to within days — not weeks.

Cloud accounting platforms Forti works in

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Xero

A widely used cloud accounting platform in Ireland. Direct bank feeds from all major Irish banks, VAT functionality and integrations with Irish payroll applications. Forti's most common platform across its client base.

Most common among Forti clients

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QuickBooks Online

Strong bank feed connectivity and automated rules for recurring transactions. If you are already on QuickBooks, Forti works within your existing account without requiring a platform switch.

Supported

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Sage

Used by established Irish businesses particularly in trade and construction. Sage Business Cloud and Sage 50 both supported where the chart of accounts is correctly structured.

Supported

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Receipt capture

Receipt and document capture is available directly or through integrated tools, depending on the platform and subscription level. Forti reviews and confirms transaction coding as part of the monthly reconciliation.

Built into all platforms

Cloud accounting software set-up is quoted separately — it is not included in the monthly plan price. If you already have an active account in Xero, QuickBooks or Sage, Forti connects to your existing system at no additional cost.

Proactive Accounting vs Year-End Only — What's the Difference?

Most Irish limited companies start with a traditional accountant who files the year-end accounts and tax return. That covers compliance — but it leaves directors making decisions without current information all year.

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Traditional year-end accountant

Focus on compliance — accounts and tax returns filed once a year
No visibility into the business between filings
Tax calculated after the year ends — no time to plan around it
Cash flow issues identified late, often after the fact
Queries handled when convenient — no response commitment
Section 486C relief and R&D credits easy to miss without ongoing review
Director remuneration often left unplanned until year-end

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Forti — proactive limited company accounting

Monthly management accounts — P&L, balance sheet, cash-flow summary
Books maintained and reconciled every month — not rebuilt at year-end
Corporation Tax provisioned and planned throughout the year
Cash-flow trends flagged before they become critical
All queries acknowledged within one business day
Section 486C, R&D credit and director salary reviewed annually
Director drawings, salary and pension planned to maximise efficiency

Traditional accounting is not wrong — it is just not enough for directors who want clarity and control. Forti's starting plan (€195 + VAT/month) includes everything a compliant limited company needs. Not incorporated yet? See sole trader accounting from €165 + VAT/month → The Growth plan adds monthly management accounts and a dedicated accountant.

What Is Covered in the Monthly Limited Company Service

Six core service areas available within our monthly accounting packages. Exact inclusions depend on your plan — management accounts and payroll are available on specific plans or as add-ons.

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Monthly bookkeeping

Bank and card feeds reconciled, sales and purchase invoices posted, VAT coded correctly, director's loan account maintained. Records current every month — not reconstructed at year-end.

Bookkeeping services →

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VAT returns and compliance

Bi-monthly VAT3 returns prepared from reconciled books and filed via ROS. Annual VAT RTD included. Reverse-charge VAT on overseas services identified and posted correctly.

VAT return service →

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Management accounts

Monthly profit and loss, balance sheet snapshot and cash-flow summary on the Growth plan. The same data that feeds bank applications, Enterprise Ireland grants and investor conversations.

See Growth plan →

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Payroll for directors and staff

Director and employee payroll managed monthly. PAYE/PRSI/USC calculated and submitted via ROS. MyFutureFund auto-enrolment obligations managed — the scheme applies generally to employees aged 23–60 earning over €20,000 who do not have qualifying supplementary pension coverage, mandatory from 1 January 2026.

Payroll services →

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Annual accounts and Corporation Tax

Financial statements prepared from clean monthly records. CT1 filed within 9 months of the accounting-period end — no later than the 23rd of that ninth month for ROS filers. Section 486C Start-Up Relief reviewed annually for qualifying companies.

Year-end accounts →

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CRO annual return and compliance

B1 Annual Return filed before the ARD. Audit exemption monitored — since 16 July 2025, a company loses audit exemption for the following two years where it files late more than once within any five-year period (filings need not be consecutive). Statutory registers maintained.

Annual compliance →

Limited Company Accounting Plans

Fixed monthly fees confirmed before work starts. All prices exclude VAT at 23%. No hourly billing, no charges for routine Revenue correspondence.

LTD STARTER

LTD Starter

New or small Irish limited companies

From ^€195

+ VAT per month

Up to 50 transactions/month · Turnover up to ~€250k

Monthly bookkeeping (up to 50 transactions)
Bank and card reconciliation
VAT3 return preparation and filing
Annual financial statements
Corporation Tax return (CT1)
CRO Annual Return (B1)
Compliance deadline monitoring
Annual accountant review

Get Started

How Forti Supports Your Company All Year Round

Five stages — from onboarding through to year-end — designed so you spend as little time on finance admin as possible.

Onboarding

Records reviewed, opening position established, software connected, compliance calendar mapped.

Monthly books

Bank feeds reconciled, invoices posted, VAT coded, director's loan maintained — every month without fail.

Monthly report

P&L, balance sheet and cash-flow summary issued (Growth plan). Emerging issues flagged before they escalate.

Tax planning

CT provisioned throughout the year. Director salary, dividends and pension reviewed. 486C and R&D assessed.

Year-end

Financial statements and CT1 prepared from clean records. B1 filed. Audit exemption maintained.

Premium Services — What Sets Forti Apart

Beyond the compliance cycle, Forti advises on the reliefs, structures and planning opportunities that make a material difference to what a company pays and keeps.

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Section 486C Start-Up Relief

New companies commencing a qualifying trade on or before 31 December 2026 may qualify for Corporation Tax relief during their first five years of trading. Relief may be available where total Corporation Tax is up to €40,000, with marginal relief between €40,000 and €60,000. The amount actually available is linked to qualifying Employer PRSI (up to €5,000 per employee, €40,000 aggregate) and, for periods beginning on or after 1 January 2025, certain Class S PRSI paid in respect of company directors (up to €1,000 per individual). The qualifying trade must currently commence by 31 December 2026 — conditions and exclusions apply. Forti reviews 486C eligibility annually for every qualifying client. Revenue guidance on Section 486C →

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R&D Tax Credit

Irish companies carrying on qualifying R&D activities may claim the R&D Corporation Tax Credit. The rate is 30% for accounting periods commencing on or after 1 January 2024 and generally ending before 31 December 2026. The rate increases to 35% generally for accounting periods ending 31 December 2026 or later. The credit is refundable where the company has no Corporation Tax liability. Claims must normally be made within 12 months of the accounting-period end — and first-time claimants, or companies that have not claimed in the previous three years, must generally submit a pre-filing notification to Revenue at least 90 days before making the claim. Forti reviews R&D credit eligibility for clients in technology, software, manufacturing and product development.

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Director remuneration planning

There is no single tax-efficient salary or salary/dividend split for every Irish company director. Salary may be deductible for Corporation Tax purposes; dividends are paid from after-tax distributable profits and do not generate a Corporation Tax deduction. Irish dividends are generally subject to 25% Dividend Withholding Tax and are also assessable to Income Tax, USC and PRSI in the shareholder's hands. Employer pension contributions can be highly tax-efficient, but the rules depend on the pension arrangement, the director's remuneration level and the applicable pension limits. Forti reviews salary, dividends, pension funding, PRSI position, other income and available distributable reserves before recommending a structure. See the director remuneration section below →

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Company formation to accounting handover

For companies that form with Forti, the transition from formation to ongoing accounting is seamless — the same team, the same records, no duplication. For companies forming elsewhere and switching to Forti, the onboarding process reviews the company structure, existing records and any immediate compliance items before the first monthly cycle begins. Company formation from €295 + VAT →

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Grant application and bank lending support

Management accounts prepared by Forti are formatted and structured to support Enterprise Ireland applications, Local Enterprise Office (LEO) grant submissions and bank lending conversations. Current, signed management accounts produced monthly mean you can respond to any funding opportunity within days. Forti supports the preparation of financial projections and management account packs for lending and investment purposes.

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Switching accountants — how it works

Switching inertia keeps many directors with an accountant they are dissatisfied with. The process is simpler than most expect. Forti reviews your current records and filing history, requests a professional clearance letter from your previous accountant, establishes the year-to-date position and takes over from the next filing point. There is no gap in compliance and no overlap in fees. Talk to Forti about switching →

How Should You Pay Yourself From Your Limited Company?

The most common financial planning question Forti gets from Irish directors. There is no single correct answer — but the structure matters significantly to what you keep.

Salary

PAYE-deducted through payroll

Deductible as a company expense — reduces the CT liability at 12.5%

Builds PRSI record for State Pension and social welfare entitlements

Taxed at marginal income tax rates (20%/40%) plus USC and PRSI

The right salary level depends on PRSI entitlement goals, other income, marital status and company profits — there is no universally optimal figure; Forti assesses this individually

Dividends

Drawn from after-tax company profit

No employer PRSI cost — more efficient than salary at higher withdrawal amounts

Assessable to Income Tax, USC and PRSI in the shareholder's hands; generally subject to 25% Dividend Withholding Tax deducted by the company before payment

Company must have distributable profits — cannot be paid from accumulated losses

Requires a board resolution and correct company secretarial documentation

Pension

Employer contributions — potentially tax-efficient, subject to limits

Employer pension contributions are a Corporation Tax deduction — effectively extracting profit from the company at 12.5% rather than the director's marginal income tax rate

No income tax, PRSI or USC on contributions at the point of payment

Subject to Revenue pension funding rules and applicable limits — from 1 January 2025, employer contributions to a PRSA or PEPP are capped at 100% of the employee's emoluments; contributions above that limit create a benefit-in-kind and affect deductibility

Forti can coordinate an introduction to a pension adviser if required

Director remuneration structures interact across income tax, Corporation Tax, PRSI and pension legislation. The right structure depends on individual circumstances — profit levels, other income, PRSI history, marital status and distributable reserves all affect the outcome. Forti reviews salary, dividends, pension funding and available reserves annually. Specific pension advice requires a qualified financial adviser; Forti can facilitate an introduction where required.

Key Compliance Deadlines for Irish Limited Companies

Forti maintains a forward compliance calendar for every client. This table covers the main recurring deadlines — with the consequences of missing each one.

Obligation	Deadline	Filed with	Consequence of missing	Risk
CRO Annual Return (B1)	Filed within 56 days of the ARD. First ARD is 6 months after incorporation; no financial statements are attached to the first B1. Subsequent B1s carry full financial statements	CRO	€100 initial late fee + €3 per day (max €1,200 per return) + €20 filing fee. Loss of audit exemption where late filing occurs more than once within any five-year period (since 16 July 2025)	High
Preliminary Corporation Tax	Small companies (prior-year CT ≤€200k): 31 days before the accounting-period end and no later than the 23rd of that month. Large companies: sixth-month and eleventh-month instalments	Revenue (ROS)	Interest on any underpayment of preliminary tax from the due date	High
Corporation Tax (CT1)	Within 9 months of the accounting-period end and no later than the 23rd day of that ninth month (ROS filers)	Revenue (ROS)	5% surcharge on tax due (max €12,695) if under 2 months late; 10% (max €63,485) if later. Late filing can also restrict loss relief, group relief and excess capital allowances	High
VAT3 Return	23rd of month after bi-monthly period end (ROS)	Revenue (ROS)	Interest at 0.0274% per day on unpaid VAT; Revenue audit risk increases	Medium
Monthly Payroll Submission (PAYE Modernisation)	On or before each pay date; Revenue monthly statement becomes the statutory return by the 14th of the following month; payment due by the 23rd for ROS filers	Revenue (ROS)	Interest on late payment; Revenue compliance intervention	Medium
Annual VAT RTD	Generally within 23 days of the end of the accountable person's tax/accounting year (ROS filers)	Revenue (ROS)	Revenue query risk — RTD reconciles against VAT3 returns filed during the year	Lower
RBO Beneficial Ownership	Within 5 months of incorporation; update within 14 days of any change	Central RBO	Criminal offence — summary conviction carries a Class A fine; on indictment a fine up to €500,000	High

Losing audit exemption — which occurs where a company files late more than once within any five-year period since 16 July 2025 — is one of the most expensive compliance failures for Irish SMEs — it requires a full statutory audit that can cost €5,000–€15,000+ per year. Forti monitors your ARD and files ahead of the deadline as standard. Annual compliance service →

What Your Limited Company Can Claim

Allowable expenses reduce the company's taxable profit and therefore its Corporation Tax bill. Getting this right — claiming everything allowable and nothing that isn't — is part of the monthly bookkeeping service.

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Day-to-day operating costs

Rent, light, heat and broadband
Office supplies and stationery
Software subscriptions — Xero, Microsoft 365, project tools
Bank charges and payment processing fees

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Staff and director costs

Salaries and employer PRSI
Staff benefits and bonuses where allowable
Training, conferences and CPD
Director salary (processed through payroll)

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Marketing and sales

Website design, hosting and digital advertising
Google, Meta and LinkedIn ad spend
Branding, design and print
Sponsorships and events where allowable

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Equipment and capital allowances

Computers, laptops and phones (12.5% per year over 8 years)
Office furniture and fittings
Machinery, tools and specialist equipment
Motor vehicles (subject to emission-based limits)

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Professional fees

Accountancy and bookkeeping fees
Legal fees for business matters
Professional memberships relevant to the trade
Consulting and advisory fees

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Travel and motor

Qualifying business mileage (excluding ordinary home-to-work travel) reimbursed at Revenue approved rates — note that travel/subsistence payments also fall within Enhanced Reporting Requirements
Parking, tolls and public transport for business journeys
Subsistence for overnight business trips
Travel to client sites and business events

Client entertainment, hospitality and gifts are generally not allowable deductions for Corporation Tax purposes. Genuine staff entertainment is treated differently by Revenue and may be deductible. Forti ensures only legitimately allowable expenses are posted — clean records protect you in the event of a Revenue compliance check.

Common Mistakes That Cost Irish Companies

Missing the audit exemption threshold

Filing the B1 late more than once within any five-year period (since 16 July 2025) costs the company its audit exemption for the following two years. A full statutory audit costs €5,000–€15,000+. Forti monitors every ARD and files ahead of the deadline as standard.

Not provisioning for Corporation Tax

Directors who do not set aside Corporation Tax throughout the year face a large bill at the CT1 due date — within 9 months of their accounting year-end. Forti provisions CT monthly so the liability is never a surprise.

Overdrawn director's loan account

Where a close company makes a loan or advance to a director who is a participator, Section 438 TCA 1997 may require the company to account for Income Tax at the standard rate on the grossed-up value of the loan — equivalent to 25% of the net advance at the current 20% standard rate. Relief may be available when the loan is subsequently repaid. Forti reconciles the loan account monthly and flags any exposure well before year-end.

Missing Section 486C Start-Up Relief

Many early-stage companies that may qualify for Corporation Tax relief under Section 486C do not claim it — either because their accountant does not review it, or because the PRSI link is not properly assessed. Forti reviews 486C eligibility annually for every qualifying client. Note: the qualifying trade must currently commence by 31 December 2026.

Treating all motor costs as fully deductible

Capital allowances on vehicles are subject to emission-based limits — a car in a higher CO₂ band may only qualify for allowances on a fraction of its cost. Forti applies the correct limits from the date of purchase.

Leaving director remuneration unplanned

An unplanned director salary often means either too much PAYE or an overdrawn loan account. Forti plans the salary, dividend and pension mix annually — not as an afterthought when the accounts are ready.

Industry-Specific Accounting Experience

Forti works with limited companies across a wide range of Irish industries. Each has its own Revenue treatment, expense profile and compliance considerations.

Construction & Trades

Consulting & Coaching

→

Related Services and Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions from Irish company directors. For a full index of terms see the Irish Business Glossary and FAQ hub.

What is the Corporation Tax rate for Irish companies?

The standard trading rate is 12.5% on active trading income. A rate of 25% applies to passive income (rental income, investment income not connected to the trade). Groups with consolidated revenues of €750m or more may be subject to Pillar Two rules which impose a 15% minimum effective tax rate. The CT1 return and payment are due within 9 months of the accounting-period end and no later than the 23rd day of that ninth month for ROS filers. Revenue Corporation Tax guidance →

When are company accounts due in Ireland?

The CRO Annual Return (B1) is due by the company's Annual Return Date (ARD). The first B1 is due 6 months after incorporation. The Corporation Tax return (CT1) is due within 9 months of the accounting-period end and no later than the 23rd of that ninth month for ROS filers. No financial statements are attached to the first B1 — if the company misses two ARDs, it loses audit exemption.

What is Section 486C and does my company qualify?

Section 486C provides Corporation Tax relief for new companies commencing a qualifying trade on or before 31 December 2026. Relief may be available where total CT is up to €40,000, with marginal relief between €40,000 and €60,000. The relief is linked to qualifying Employer PRSI paid — not €40,000 is automatically relieved. Since January 2025, certain Class S PRSI paid by directors also counts, up to €1,000 per individual. Conditions and exclusions apply. Forti reviews eligibility annually for all qualifying clients.

What is the best way to pay myself from my limited company?

There is no single optimal structure for every Irish director. Salary may be deductible for Corporation Tax purposes but is subject to income tax, USC and PRSI. Dividends are paid from after-tax distributable profits, are generally subject to 25% Dividend Withholding Tax, and are assessable to income tax, USC and PRSI in the shareholder's hands. Employer pension contributions can be highly tax-efficient but are subject to limits that depend on the pension arrangement and the director's remuneration level. The right structure depends on profit levels, other income, PRSI position, distributable reserves and pension situation. Forti reviews all of these annually as part of the engagement.

Do I need monthly management accounts?

They are included in the LTD Growth plan (from €295 + VAT/month). For directors running growing companies, monthly P&L and cash-flow visibility is the difference between managing the business and reacting to it. They are also often requested by lenders and useful for Enterprise Ireland grant applications — requirements vary by programme and lender.

What happens if I miss the B1 Annual Return deadline?

CRO imposes a late filing penalty of €100 plus €3 per day up to a maximum of €1,200 per return, plus the €20 filing fee. More significantly, filing late more than once within any five-year period causes the company to lose audit exemption for the following two years — requiring a full statutory audit that can cost €5,000–€15,000+ annually. Forti monitors the ARD and files ahead of the deadline as standard.

What is the director's loan account and why does it matter?

The director's loan account records money a director puts into or takes out of the company outside of salary and dividends. Where a close company makes a loan or advance to a director who is a participator, Section 438 TCA 1997 may require the company to account for Income Tax at the standard rate on the grossed-up value of the loan — equivalent to 25% of the net advance at the current 20% standard rate. The rules are complex and separate benefit-in-kind and company-law provisions may also apply. Forti reconciles the loan account monthly and flags any exposure before year-end.

Does Forti handle VAT returns and payroll?

Yes. VAT3 return preparation and filing is included in all plans. Payroll is available as an add-on at €30 + VAT per employee per month. When Forti manages both, the payroll journals post directly into the books — no manual duplication, the PAYE control account reconciles automatically.

How do I switch to Forti from my current accountant?

Forti handles the transition. You request a professional clearance letter and your records from your current accountant — Forti guides you through the steps. Once the year-to-date position is established, monthly services begin from the agreed date. There is no gap in compliance and no overlap in fees. Most transitions complete within 2–3 weeks.

What is the R&D tax credit and who can claim it?

Irish companies carrying on qualifying R&D activities may claim the R&D Corporation Tax Credit at 30% for accounting periods commencing on or after 1 January 2024 and generally ending before 31 December 2026, and at 35% for accounting periods ending 31 December 2026 or later. The credit is refundable where there is no CT liability. First-time claimants must generally submit a pre-filing notification to Revenue at least 90 days before making the claim. Forti reviews R&D eligibility for clients in technology, software, manufacturing and product development.

My company accounts are behind or in a mess. Can Forti help?

Yes. Forti regularly takes on companies with gaps in their records. The approach is to review what exists, identify any missing filings or Revenue exposures, complete the historical catch-up, and move to monthly maintenance from there. Historical work is quoted separately after the initial review.

What does cloud accounting software actually do for my company?

It connects directly to your bank feeds so transactions import automatically, matches receipts captured on your phone, applies learned rules for recurring transactions, and produces live financial reports. Forti reviews and manages the bookkeeping — the software eliminates the manual data entry that used to make monthly accounting expensive. Software set-up is quoted separately from the monthly plan price.

Limited CompanyAccountingIreland.

How Cloud Accounting Changed What's Possible for Irish Companies

Cloud accounting platforms Forti works in

Proactive Accounting vs Year-End Only — What's the Difference?

What Is Covered in the Monthly Limited Company Service

How Forti Supports Your Company All Year Round

Premium Services — What Sets Forti Apart

How Should You Pay Yourself From Your Limited Company?

Key Compliance Deadlines for Irish Limited Companies

What Your Limited Company Can Claim

Common Mistakes That Cost Irish Companies

Industry-Specific Accounting Experience

Related Services and Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

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Limited Company
Accounting
Ireland.

Run Your Company.
We'll Handle the Numbers.