At Direct Assist Accountants, we specialise in accounting services for doctors and medical professionals. Whether you work as an NHS consultant, GP, private practitioner, or locum doctor — our expert accountants help you stay HMRC compliant, maximise tax savings, and protect your financial future.
A large number of doctors in the UK work as self-employed locums, combining NHS shifts, private work, and sessional contracts.
As a self-employed doctor:
You manage multiple income streams (NHS, private, agency)
You claim allowable expenses for professional work
You complete annual Self-Assessment tax returns
You pay your own National Insurance contributions
This gives doctors greater earning potential and flexibility, but also more financial responsibility — especially around pensions, tax planning, and compliance.
Independent and locum doctors enjoy:
✅ Higher earning potential
✅ Flexible working hours & locations
✅ Ability to diversify work (NHS + private)
✅ More control over career progression
However, there are key considerations:
⚠️ Multiple income sources can lead to tax complexity
⚠️ Failure to claim eligible expenses = lost money
⚠️ NHS pension rules can be difficult to understand
⚠️ Risk of HMRC penalties if tax returns are incorrect or late
That’s where our specialist medical accountants support you every step of the way.
Registering with HMRC is simple and can be done online.
You will need to:
1️⃣ Register as self-employed
2️⃣ Activate your Self-Assessment Online Account
3️⃣ Receive your Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR)
From your HMRC portal, you can:
File your tax returns
View payments and deadlines
Track income and pension contributions
If you prefer — our team can register you with HMRC on your behalf, ensuring everything is set up correctly from day one.
✔ Tax Alerts
Never miss another HMRC deadline or payment
✔ HMRC-Compliant Advice
We handle Self-Assessment, VAT, IR35 & NHS pension queries
✔ Medical Accounting Software Setup
We help you connect Xero, QuickBooks, or FreeAgent
✔ Real-Time Financial Overview
Live dashboards to track income, shifts & payments
✔ Full Expense Support
We ensure correct claims are made for:
• GMC/BMA/MDU fees
• CPD & training
• Travel & mileage
• Medical equipment & uniforms
• Home office use (if applicable)
✅ Register with HMRC as self-employed
✅ Keep accurate records of income from all work sources
✅ Record professional expenses & retain receipts
✅ File a Self-Assessment Tax Return every year
✅ Pay Income Tax + Class 2 & Class 4 NICs
✅ Register for VAT if income exceeds £90,000
✅ Maintain appropriate insurance (e.g. MDU/MDDUS)
✅ Understand NHS pension scheme obligations
✅ Monitor cash flow & payments
We help you stay fully compliant, stress-free.
🏆 Smart Tax Planning
Designed to maximise take-home pay
📌 Expert Support
Clear guidance from specialists in medical finance
💷 Transparent Pricing
No hidden fees — fixed monthly packages
📊 Real-Time Insights
Track income streams from NHS + private work instantly
🚀 Built for Growth
We help you plan for long-term wealth, investments & retirement
Need a trusted partner to handle your accounting and tax matters? We’re here to help. Direct Assist Accountants offers reliable, expert support from your first enquiry to final delivery, all under one roof. We keep things simple, affordable, and fully transparent, so you can stay focused on what matters most: running your business.
(0203) 633 2018
info@directassistaccountants.co.uk
Provide your details and one of our experts will be in touch.
